This visa allows people to transit to South Korea for a limited time without the visa. These people can stop in South Korea for a while on the way to the third country. Citizens of some countries are allowed to transit to South Korea without a visa.
What is a Tourist/Transit visa (B-2-1)?
Unlike the Korean B-1 visa, this visa is defined for those who intend to reach their destination in a third country through South Korea. Nationals of some countries can travel to or transit South Korea for 30 days or less without a visa. Citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, and Australia are on this list.
If you want to apply for a Tourist/Transit visa (B-2-1), one of the following conditions must apply to you:
1. People crossing South Korea to reach the following countries:
- The United States (except for Guam and Saipan)
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
And they have a valid visa from the mentioned countries (including re-entry permit, study permit, work permit, permanent residency, but excluding e-visa or Japanese Group visa).
or
You transit through Korea to reach a third country or the country of nationality via direct flight from these countries to South Korea:
- The United States
- Japan
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
Note that in this case, Korea should not be the final destination for travellers.
2. Chinese passengers with a valid visa (such as permanent residency) from 30 European countries and an airplane ticket to your third destination
** If there is a direct flight from these countries, travellers need to use that flight to enter Korea.
3. Individuals participate in the Transfer Tourism Program for a third country or the country of nationality and intend to transit through Korea.
Who is eligible for K-ETA?
If you have a passport from one of these countries, you are eligible to get the K-ETA. The application process is online and you have permission to stay in the century for some time. You can see the duration of stay in front of each country:
Albania (30) | Austria (90) | Bosnia and Herzegovina (30) | Canada (180) | Cyprus (30) |
Andorra (30) | Bahamas (90) | Botswana (90) | Chile (90) | Czech Republic (90) |
Antigua and Barbuda (90) | Bahrain (30) | Bulgaria (90) | Colombia (90) | Denmark (90 days in 180-day period) |
Argentina (30) | Barbados (90) | Brazil (90) | Costa Rica (90) | Dominica (90) |
Australia (90) | Belgium (90) | Brunei (30) | Croatia (90) | Dominican Republic (90) |
Ecuador (90) | Finland (90 days in 180-day period) | Guam (30) | Hong Kong (90) | Italy (90) |
El Salvador (90) | France (90) | Guatemala (90) | Hungary (90) | Jamaica (90) |
Estonia (90 days in 180-day period) | Germany (90) | Guyana (30) | Iceland (90 days in 180-day period) | Kazakhstan (30) |
Eswatini (30) | Greece (90) | Haiti (90) | Ireland (90) | Kuwait (90) |
Fiji (30) | Grenada (90) | Honduras (30) | Israel (30) | Latvia (90) |
Lesotho (60) | Malta (90) | Montenegro (30) | New Zealand (90) | Panama (90) |
Liechtenstein (90) | Marshall Islands (30) | Morocco (90) | Nicaragua (90) | Paraguay (30) |
Lithuania (90) | Mauritius 30) | Nauru (30) | Norway (90 days in 180-day period) | Peru (90) |
Luxembourg (90) | Mexico (90) | Netherlands (90) | Oman (30) | Poland (90) |
Malaysia (90) | Monaco (30) | New Caledonia (30) | Palau (30) | Portugal (90 days in 180-day period) |
Qatar (30) | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (90) | Singapore (90) | Suriname (90) | Tunisia (30) |
Romania (90) | San Marino (30) | Slovakia (90) | Sweden (90 days in 180-day period) | Turkey (90) |
Russia (60/90 days in 180-day period) | Saudi Arabia (30) | Slovenia (90) | Switzerland (90) | Tuvalu (30) |
Saint Kitts-Nevis (90) | Serbia (90) | South Africa (30) | Thailand (90) | United Arab Emirates (90) |
Saint Lucia (90) | Seychelles (30) | Spain (90) | Trinidad and Tobago (90) | United Kingdom (90) |
United States (90) | Vatican City (30) |
Uruguay (90) | Venezuela (90) |
If you need a K-ETA, you can apply it from this link.
what is 30-day visa exemption?
If you have a visa or residence permit from these countries, you don’t need a visa to transit through Korea:
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The United States
Travelers must come directly from or departing directly to one of the above countries.
You must arrive or come from one of the above list of countries after transiting in a 4th country for no more than 72 hours or
Departing to one of the above countries and transiting for no more than 72 hours in a 4th country
Countries not fall into the 30-day exemption
If you are from one of the below list of countries, you don’t fall into the 30- day visa exemption even if you have a visa from the mentioned countries above. You need to apply for a transit visa:
Afghanistan | Egypt | Kosovo | North Macedonia | Sri Lanka |
Bangladesh | Gambia | Kyrgyzstan | Pakistan | Sudan |
Cameroon | Ghana | Myanmar | Palestine | Syria |
China | Iran | Nepal | Senegal | Uzbekistan |
Cuba | Iraq | Nigeria | Somalia | Yemen |
Do I need a visa to transit through South Korea?
The need to apply for a South Korea transit visa depends on the following factors:
- Your nationality
- The duration of your stay in South Korea
You will not need a transit visa if you stay in South Korea for less than 24 hours or arrive at Incheon Airport.
Citizens of these countries always need a visa to transit through South Korea:
- Egypt
- Syria
- Sudan
- Yemen
What are the requirements of a Tourist / Transit Visa in South Korea (B-2-1) visa?
South Korea’s transit visa requirements are:
- Passport: it must be valid for six months or more from the date of entry into South Korea
- Applicant’s photo: The size of the photo must be the size of the passport photo. Also, the photo should be in color.
- Visa application form (Form No. 34)
- Visa application fee
- Tickets and Documents for return travel
How to extend a Tourist / Transit Visa in South Korea
(B-2-1) visa?
Holders of a Tourist/Transit visa (B-2-1) cannot renew or change their visa status. If you plan to stay in South Korea for more than 30 days, apply for another visa before coming to this country.
Let’s sum up …
In this blog, we tried to address the frequently asked questions about the Tourist/Transit visa (B-2-1). On the Visa Library website, you can learn about other South Korean visas as well as ways to immigrate to other countries. In case you have some experience, please write it down in the comment section. Your comments let the readers choose better and avoid mistakes. Conveying your experiences in comments is a great help for applicants.
FAQs
Do I need a transit visa if arrive at a Schengen airport?
No, you don’t need a transit visa.
Is transit visa mandatory?
As explained in the article, it is always required for Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Yemen citizens.
Do I have permission to stay a transit visa?
No you may not. You may not stay for more than 30 days.
Is visa on arrival available?
No, at the moment, you need to apply for a visa.
I am a permanent resident in Canada but I have a Philippine passport. I have a 13-hour layover in Incheon and I would like to go out the airport and explore the city. Do I need a transit visa? Is the QCode and K-ETA needed as well?
You need a K-ETA, and to know whether you need a transit visa, look at the list of countries.
Hi. I am a Chinese citizen departing from Los Angeles to China and transiting in Incheon airport for less than 24 hours. I am a permanent resident of the US holding green card too. Do I need to apply for a transit visa?
You will not need a transit visa if you stay in South Korea for less than 24 hours or arrive at Incheon Airport.
No, you won’t need a transit visa.
Hi just want to make sure. I am a Philippine passport holder and a resident of Japan. I will be travelling to Philippines and have a transit in Incheon and lay over of 7hours. Does that mean I don’t need a transit visa since it is less than 24hours? Can I book my flights separately TOKYO-INCHEON and INCHEON-MANILA or I need to book a connecting flight already?
I want to make sure before getting my tickets that it will work.
No, you don’t need a transit visa.
I’m travelling from US to India via INCHEON Airport. As per your above comments I understand I don’t need the visa for transitting through INCHEON Airport. Is that correct understanding. Thanks
Yes, sir, you do not need a visa.
Hi. I’m Congolese (Brazzaville) in Africa. I planned to go in china through South Korea (Incheon airport). I’ll get there a transfer to an other plane for about 8 hours. Do I need visa for that?
You are likely to need a visa.
Hi, I am travelling from Canada to Singapore via Incheon Airport and am holding a Myanmar (Burma) passport. My layover at Incheon Airport is less than an hour. Do I require a transit visa and/or any other requirements?
From prior knowledge, I have transited through Incheon Airport last year before and did not needed a transit visa, but would like to make sure. Thank you very much for your help!
No you do not need a transit visa.
Hi,
I am a Vietnamese (But Japanese Resident) Traveling from Tokyo to Frankfurt via Incheon. I have an overnight layover and would like to stay at an airport hotel outside of the transit area. What visa do I need
You are likely to need a transit visa. See if you can apply for KETA, apply for it as it is much easier and fast.
Hi! I hold a Chinese passport and am flying from the US to South Korea. I will be arriving at Incheon Airport and stay there for 3 days before flying to China. Would I need a transit visa?
You would better apply for a transit visa.
Perfect, thank you for your reply.
Since my trip is a round-trip, I will have to transit again in Incheon Airport. The layover for my trip back is roughly 4 hours though. Will I require a transit visa for that case?
We are a Philippine passport holder and residents of the Philippines.We will be travelling to Canada (we have work and student permit for Canada) and have a transit in Incheon and lay over for 22hours. We would also like to go out the airport and explore the city. Do we need a transit visa?
You are likely to need a transit visa.
I am Pakistani national and have transit of 6 hours while travelling from Jeddah to Auckland, New Zealand. Do I need transit visa?
You are likely to need a transit visa. Check with the Korean embassy.
Yes, you need a transit visa.
Hi, I am a permanent resident in the US and a Philippine passport holder. My plan is to fly from US to South Korea and stay for a week, and then fly to Philippines. Do I need a visa?
Thank you!
You are unlikely to need a visa but check it with the airline to ensure.
Hi, I will be traveling from China to Dallas, USA and stopping for 2 1/2 hours in Incheon Airport. I am a US citizen holding a US passport. My baggage is checked through, but I have to change terminals and planes. Do I need a K-ETA?
No, you do not need KETA.
Hello,
I have Canadian PR card with Indian passport, I have 21 hours stay at Incheon airport (Flight from Canada to India). Do I need transit visa to go outside.
No, you do not need a transit visa.
Hi, I will be travelling from London to Japan. My flight is from Heathrow, London to Incheon, Seoul then Gimpo, Seoul to Haneda, Tokyo. I have a Nepalese passport. What visa would I need to travel from Incheon to Gimpo for my flight.
See if you can apply for K-ETA or not. If not, you need a transit visa to get out of the airpport.
Hi. I have Vietnamese passport and US green card. I will fly from Vietnam to the US and transit in Incheon for 13 hours. In this case, do i need a visa or any other types of documents to join transit tour program at the airport? thank you.
As you have Green Card, it’s unlikely that you need a transit visa, but aks the airline to make sure.
Hi, I have Nepali Passport with Canadian study permit. I have a booking from nepal to korea with korea airlines and from korea to vancouver with air canada(as a single booking with air canada). I have 14 hours of layover at incheon airport and do not intend to leave the airport. Do I need a transit visa for Korea? Thank you in advance.
You will not need a transit visa if you stay in South Korea for less than 24 hours or arrive at Incheon Airport.
Hi! I’m a Philippine passport holder. I have a flight from Manila to Paris with a layover in Incheon airport. My flight from Manila to Incheon is from Korean Air then Incheon to Paris is Air France. Although I booked it using Korean air, do I need to apply for Visa for the transit? My layover is 5hrs
If you do not have an APEC business card, yes you need a visa.
I have an Indian Passport with Valid work visa to the US. I have a booking from New Delhi to San Francisco with a 11.5 hr layover in Korea (would be landing in Incheon airport). Would I need a transit visa to go around the city in my layover in Korea?
Thank you very much for your assistance.
You were allowed to enter Korea without a visa because you has a US visa but this permission is suspended due to Covid-19 and you need a visa.
I am an Australian citizen/passport holder flying to the United Kingdom landing at Incheon. There is a stopover at Incheon for less than 24 hours. Do I need a visa to go in to Seoul and stay in a hotel overnight or do I have to stay in the transit lounge?
No, you do not need a visa and can stay in Korea for up to 90 days with your passport.
hi, I’m a permanent resident of the United States. However, I’m a Philippine passport holder. My flight is from San Francisco to Incheon South Korea with United airlines. The flight to the Philippines from Incheon South Korea is with Philippine airlines same day, with that being said, I have to go through immigration since it’s two different airlines, and I have to pick up my luggage. My question is do I need to obtain a transit visa. Thank you so much.
Dear Bone K,
You will not need a transit visa if you stay in South Korea for less than 24 hours or arrive at Incheon Airport.
Hi!
Happy new year. We have just booked flights, we are travelling from Australia to the United States through Korea and will be in Korea for five days. We have visas for both countries but hold a Philippine passport, what do we need?
You are likely to need a transit visa but see if you are eligible for K-ETA or not.
Hi,
I’m travelling to LAX from Sydney and I hold a Mexican passport. I have a 2 hours layover at Incheon Airport but I believe I need to collect my bags and check back in. Do I need to apply for a transit visa or K-ETA? Thanks
Yes, you are likely to need a transit visa or K-ETA.
Hi there, I have a Canadian PR and Indian passport am travelling back from Delhi to Canada But I have 9 hour layover at Incheon airport in which my baggage is not check through do I need a visa or it will be still fine or what kind of visa need to apply? thanks
Dear Paras,
Foreign nationals staying for less than 24 hours in the transit areas of a South Korea airport are not required to apply for a transit visa.
What about Nigerians,I’m transiting through Seoul to go to New Zealand with a layover of 4 hours. Do I still require a transit visa?
You are likely to need a visa.
Hi there, I have a Canadian PR and Indian passport am travelling back from Delhi to Canada But I have 9 hour layover at Incheon airport in which my baggage is not check through do I need a visa or it will be still fine? thanks
Hi! Do Ph passport holders need a transit visa to transfer from one terminal to another? Layover is only 4 hours same day flight.
Dear Ann,
Foreign nationals staying for less than 24 hours in the transit areas of a South Korean airport are not required to apply for a transit visa.
Hi! Do Philippine passport holders need a transit visa to transfer from one terminal to another? Layover is only 4 hours same day flight.
If you leave the transit area, you will need one.
Hi, i have booked korean air from bangkok to transit from incheon to china for my inlaws. They will have a layover of 4 hours, do they need a transit visa? Both flights are same airline.
Dear Denny,
If you are staying for less than 24 hours in the transit areas of a South Korean airport, you are not required to apply for a transit visa.
I am a Philippine passport holder currently studying in Canada. I booked all flights (Toronto-Vancouver-Incheon-PH) through Korean Air and have a 2-hour layover at Incheon. Do I need a transit visa? Thank you in advance for your response 🙂
Dear Cai,
Foreign nationals staying for less than 24 hours in the transit areas of a South Korean airport are not required to apply for a transit visa.
Hello..
I’m a filipino national with US permanent residency visa.. Part of of Itinerary from Chicago to Vietnam is a layover to Tokyo and Korea ( Wherein in a I have to transfer airport from Gimpo to Incheon) my inquiry is do I need a transit visa for this transfer?
If you have a US passport, you do not need a visa. But if you are going to get out of the airport, yes you need a visa.
Hi, I hold a chinese passport, living in france (with French residency), I will fly as: Paris- Tokyo- Seoul – Paris (or China). I would like a 3-day stay in Seoul but am not eligible for K-EAT. Am I eligible for the transit (B-2-1) visa? Any idea how it works? I show the needed documents to the border control when I land in Seoul? (I have asked Korean Embassy in Paris but they push me to a C3 tourism visa (which takes 1 month at least) and do not answer me about the transit visa. Much appreciated your answer.
You are eligible to get a transit visa. You would better apply as early as possible to the Korean embassy and explain them your situation.
Hello! I am a Philippine passport holder with a valid US visa. I am planning to travel from USA to Philippines, transiting to South Korea. Based on what I have understood from the article, I don’t need a visa since I will be coming directly from the USA and that I can stay for not more than 72 hours. With that, can I go out and roam around the country?
No, you do not need a visa.
Hi, I’m Canada passport holder. Travelling from Canada to Singapore with a 6 hour layover in Incheon. Not leaving airport. Will I need a visa?
You are unlikely to need a visa.
Hello, I will be travelling to Nepal with a Nepali passport I have a 19 hour transit in Korea and I have PR for Canada. I want to go out and tour Korea will I need to apply for a transit visa.
You do not need a transit visa but ask the Korean embassy as the rules are up to change.
hi I have an Indian Passport and travelling from US to Taiwan via Korea. the layover is less than 10 hours and i dont plan on leaving the airport. Do I need a transit visa?
Hi. No you won’t need a visa if you are traveling directly from the US and you have a valid US visa.
hi im a malaysian passport holder. can i travel to japan from malaysia for a week and enter south korea for up to 90days from japan?
do i need a transit visa from japan to korea?
Visit the japan visa page on the Visa Library to know if you are among the visa waived countries or not and what is the Japan visa policy for Malaysia tourists.
Hi, I am Indonesian passport holder. But I live and have the Netherlands residence permit.
I bought a Korean Air flight for my holiday to Japan from NL. In my flight back to NL, I have a layover in Incheon for 24 hours. Do I need to arrange a transit visa if I want to stay in the hotel at Incheon Airport?
And if I want to join the Incheon transit tour, do I need a transit visa?
Thank you for your help.
You are likely to need a visa but determine if you are eligible for K-ETA or not.
Hi, I am a Chinese citizen holding US green card, planning to book a flight from China to US San Francisco, lay over at ICN about 6 hours. Do I need to apply for transit visa?
As you have green card, you are unlikely to need a visa but you can apply for K-ETA.
Hello Namastey! I an Nepalse citizen, I have Chinese Residence permit. I want to travel from China to Kathmandu Nepal through seol. Do I need to apply transit visa or any other necessary please?
Yes, you need a transit visa.
I’m a Taiwanese citizen with a U.S. F1 visa, flying from the U.S. to Taiwan with a 16-hour layover in Incheon. What type of Korean visa do I need if I plan to exit the airport to check in to an airport hotel?
You need a transit visa but determine if you are qualified for K-ETA or not.
Hi, Where can I apply for a transit visa? i am travelling from manila to incheon and hopefully staying in south korea for 72 hours then leaving for the US from incheon
The sooner, the better. You can normally apply for a visa 3 months before traveling. But if your trip is planned, get the visa sooner.
Hi I have Philippine passport. I will travel from Nagoya to Manila but have a layover in Incheon for 4hours. I booked in the same airline Jeju Air. I just want to confirm if I don’t need a visa? Thank you very much.
If you will not get out of the international area, it’s unlikely but check it with the airline again. And if you didin;t get response, ask the embassy.
Hello, I have a Mongolian passport, moving to USA. Do I need a Transit Visa if I don’t exit the transit area and my baggage is checked through?
It’s unlikely that you need a transit visa, but check it with the airline or embassy to ensure.
Hello, I am a Nepalese passport holder, returning from US to Nepal via Korea. Do I need transit VISA to visit city in Seoul, during layover time of 21 hours?
YEs, you need a visa.
Hello namastey! I am Nepali citizen. I am willing to travel from Shanghai, China to Kathmandu, Nepal through seol. There is 16 hour transit in Korea. Do I need to apply transit visa or not? There is comment as needed of transit visa. please let me know.
Yes, you need a visa.
Hi! Im a philippine passport holder and hold a Canadian Visa. Im going back to the Philippines in July and have a layover in Incheon for 8hrs. However, I need to go through the immigration to get my baggages coz I will be changing planes/airlines. Do I need a visa? Or am I eligible for the 30day exemption since I have Canadian Visa? Pls enlighten me.
You are likely to need a visa. See the eligibility of visa exemption.
Nigerian national transiting from Guam (with US transit visa) through Incheon, then on to Africa. In Incheon less than 24 hours. Do I need a South Korean transit visa
If you get out of the transit area, yes.
Hello, I am holding P.R. China passport, but have Canada permanent residence card. Do I need visa if I flight to Incheon airport from Canada and then flight to China in 24 hours?
Thanks
How long will you stay in the airport and will you get out of the international transit area? Check it with the airline or embassy to ensure.
I have Indian passport and USA B1 visa and will be going through seoul to saipan (USA) and I have flight of another airlines from Seoul to saipan so I need to collect my luggage for the other airline to Saipan for check in. So do I require a transit visa?
If you get out of the international area, you are likely to need a visa.
Hi! I’m a Philippines passport holder. I’m planning to book either of these two flights
MNL to JEJU via Incheon to Gimpo; or
SINGAPORE to JEJU via Busan
Do I still need a visa or transit visa if i will be staying inside the aiport and will not collect any checked-in baggage?
You are unlikely to need a transit visa but ask the airline about your conditions to ensure.
Hi,
I am a Philippine passport holder and will travel to U.S. on official trip. Do I need a visa if I will take my rest stop in Korea for 1 night then continue my flight to the Philippines the next day? I have my single entry VISA to the U.S.
If you do not get out of the transit area, you are unlikely to need a visa but check it with the airline.
Hi, I have a China passport holder and the permanent resident of Canada. I plan to go to Japan from Canada and travel in Japan for 12 days then go to Hong Kong but will transfer at ICN airport and layover for 7 hours. I will stay at the transit area of ICN airport. Do I need the transit visa for layover at ICN airport?
If you do not get out of the transit area, you are unlikely to need a visa but check it with the airline.
Hello, I am Chinse Citizen, US resident, I am flight from China to US via South Korea, I will arrive at GMP airport, and connecting next flight from ICN airport within 15 hour. Do I need a Transit visa.
If you do not get out of the transit area, it’s unlikely that you need a visa.
I am a Chinese citizen, US resident. My direct flight is from DFW USA to ICN. I will then transit from ICN to PVG China via a different flight within 24 hours. Do I need a transit visa? Thanks.
You are likely to need a visa.
Hi. I’m a Canadian Permanent Residents and hold Indonesian passport. I’m planning to stay for 5 days in Seoul on my way back to Vancouver. Do I need to apply for visa? What is 30-day visa exemption?
You may apply for K-ETA, it’s online and lets you stay in Korea for some time.