Chinese passport holders travelling on their own need a visa for mainland South Korea. Groups of 3 or more booked through a designated travel agency can enter visa-free for up to 15 days, and Jeju Island is visa-free for 30 days when you fly there directly. This page gathers what the Korean embassy and visa centre for China publish, checked on 2026-09-26. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official page before you apply.
At a glance
| What the official pages say | |
|---|---|
| Do I need a visa? | Individual travellers to the mainland: yes. Groups of 3+ through designated agencies: visa-free up to 15 days anywhere in Korea (launched 29 Sep 2025; the Qingdao consulate says extended to 31 Dec 2026). Jeju: 30 days visa-free. (source 1, source 2) |
| Visa type | Tourist visa C-3-9 single entry: up to 90 days, valid 3 months. A double-entry option gives 30 days per stay, valid 6 months. (source 1, source 2) |
| Where to apply | Korea Visa Application Centres (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Dalian, Shenyang) or mission-designated agencies — by the consular district of your hukou or residence. (source 1, source 2) |
| Fee | Visa RMB 280 single / 490 double / 630 multiple (Shanghai consulate list), plus the KVAC service fee RMB 120. Not refunded if refused. (source 1, source 2) |
| Processing time | Depends on the consulate — Shanghai 14 working days (from 10 Aug 2026), Guangzhou 12 working days (from 14 Sep 2026). (source 1, source 2) |
| Stay per entry | Up to 90 days on a single-entry tourist visa. (source) |
| Multiple-entry visa | 5-year (90 days per stay), e.g. previous visitors to Korea — visa-free entries do not count. 10-year (90 days per stay), e.g. hukou holders of 14 listed cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and others), doctors, lawyers, professors, civil servants. (source 1, source 2) |
| Jeju visa-free entry | Allowed — 30 days visa-free for individuals and groups flying directly into Jeju. Going on to the mainland needs a stay-area extension permit. (source 1, source 2) |
| Visa-free transit | Allowed — up to 30 days visa-free when transiting Korea to or from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or one of 32 European countries while holding that country’s visa or residence, with an onward ticket within 30 days. (source 1, source 2) |
Core documents
The main items the official checklist asks for — the full list depends on your job and who pays for the trip:
- Application form with one photo, passport and national ID
- Proof of residence if your hukou is outside the consular district
- Proof of finances: employment certificate (period, position, salary, company seal and phone), social-insurance record, and 6 months of bank statements or income-tax records — hukou holders of the 14 multiple-visa cities and some others are exempt
Also worth knowing
- Apply in the consular district of your hukou or residence — applying in the wrong district is a common reason for rejection.
- Group tourist visas (C-3-2, filed by designated travel agencies) have their visa fee waived until 31 December 2026 — individual visas are not covered.
After the visa
Visa holders fill in the arrival card (paper on the plane, or the e-Arrival Card online before landing). Keep your hotel address and return ticket handy at immigration.
Travelling on another passport? See which nationalities can visit Korea visa-free or with K-ETA.
Korea visa for other nationalities
- Korea tourist visa for Filipino citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Vietnamese citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Indonesian citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Indian citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Pakistani citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Bangladeshi citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Nepali citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Mongolian citizens
FAQ
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Individual travellers to the mainland: yes. Groups of 3+ through designated agencies: visa-free up to 15 days anywhere in Korea (launched 29 Sep 2025; the Qingdao consulate says extended to 31 Dec 2026). Jeju: 30 days visa-free.
How much is a Korea tourist visa for Chinese citizens?
Visa RMB 280 single / 490 double / 630 multiple (Shanghai consulate list), plus the KVAC service fee RMB 120. Not refunded if refused.
How long does a Korea visa take in China?
Depends on the consulate — Shanghai 14 working days (from 10 Aug 2026), Guangzhou 12 working days (from 14 Sep 2026).
Sources: the Korean embassy / consulate and Korea Visa Application Center pages for China linked above, checked 2026-09-26. This page is information, not legal advice; the embassy decides.
