Seoul has prolonged its KRW 18,000 (USD 12.50) processing-fee waiver for C-3-2 short-term group visas covering six Asian markets—including India—until 30 June 2026. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol’s announcement on 5 January keeps package tours of five or more travellers fee-free when routed via approved agencies.
Indian arrivals to South Korea soared 37 % last year to 235,000, fuelled by K-pop tourism and IT supplier visits. The fee waiver—worth about INR 1,050 per person—helps agencies clinch budget-sensitive incentive trips, positioning Korea as a serious rival to Japan for corporate off-sites.
![South Korea Extends Visa-Fee Waiver for Indian Group Tours to 30 June 2026]()
Companies still need to submit itineraries, flight details and hotel confirmations; visa processing remains five working days. The justice ministry will pilot biometric enrolment at Incheon’s satellite terminal in March, promising automated-gate entry for pre-cleared groups.
Air-service negotiators expect the sustained demand to justify new Bengaluru–Seoul and Hyderabad–Busan routes in the winter 2026 schedule, further knitting India into Northeast Asia’s supply chains.
Indian arrivals to South Korea soared 37 % last year to 235,000, fuelled by K-pop tourism and IT supplier visits. The fee waiver—worth about INR 1,050 per person—helps agencies clinch budget-sensitive incentive trips, positioning Korea as a serious rival to Japan for corporate off-sites.
Companies still need to submit itineraries, flight details and hotel confirmations; visa processing remains five working days. The justice ministry will pilot biometric enrolment at Incheon’s satellite terminal in March, promising automated-gate entry for pre-cleared groups.
Air-service negotiators expect the sustained demand to justify new Bengaluru–Seoul and Hyderabad–Busan routes in the winter 2026 schedule, further knitting India into Northeast Asia’s supply chains.
Source: VisaHQ Global Mobility News
