For most Singapore groups heading to Korea, nothing has changed. Singapore passport holders can still visit Korea for up to 90 days without a visa. Until 31 December 2026 (KST), they also do not need a K-ETA. mofa
Groups are rarely all Singaporean, though. A corporate incentive trip may include colleagues on Employment Passes or S Passes. A family on a series tour may bring a domestic helper. A hiking group may include PRs who hold other passports. For these travellers, the way to apply for a Korean visa in Singapore changed on 1 September 2026.
What has changed
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore has announced that a dedicated Korea Visa Application Centre (KVAC) is now open operated under the policy of Korea’s Ministry of Justice.
Since 1 September 2026, almost all Korean visa applications in Singapore must be lodged in person at the KVAC rather than through the embassy’s former network of appointed visa agents. The only exceptions are diplomatic and official visas. The KVAC has also confirmed that proxy submission through previously designated agencies, including travel agencies, is no longer available.
The embassy still decides on applications. The KVAC receives the documents, collects fees and handles enquiries.
Where to apply
- KOREA VISA APPLICATION CENTER (KVAC)
- Address of KVAC: 47 Scotts Road, #17-01 Goldbell Towers, Singapore 228233 (near Newton MRT, Exit A)
- Operation hours
- Visa Application hours: 08:30 ~11:00 / 13:00~16:00
- Passport & result Pick-up: 10:00~11:30 / 13:00~16:30
- Phone: +65 6895 4700
- Email: kvac.support@visaforkorea-sg.com
- Website and bookings: www.visaforkorea-sg.com
- Processing time: 8 working days. No express service.
- Fees: KVAC service fee of S$30 per application (PayNow or cash), plus the embassy visa fee. For most nationalities this is from S$52 for a single-entry stay of under 90 days.
*Hours as published by the KVAC. Different KVAC pages show slightly different times, so please confirm before you visit.
Who it serves
The KVAC is for foreign nationals living in Singapore on valid long-term passes who need a Korean visa. This includes Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit holders, dependants, students and PRs of other nationalities. Short-term visitors in Singapore generally cannot apply here and should apply in their country of residence.
Singapore citizens do not need to visit the KVAC for ordinary tourism or business trips of up to 90 days.
Not every foreign national needs a visa. Nationals of countries that are eligible for the K-ETA generally apply online for a K-ETA at the official site, www.k-eta.go.kr, instead. The embassy notes that the K-ETA is not processed by the embassy in Singapore. A visa is needed by:
- travellers whose nationality is not eligible for the K-ETA; mofa
- travellers whose K-ETA application has been refused; mofa
- travellers whose purpose of visit is not covered by the K-ETA. mofa
How to apply
- Check the visa type. Use the embassy’s checklist for the right category. The common ones for our clients are:
- C-3-9 Short-Term Tourism;
- C-3-9 Company Incentive Trip;
- C-3-9 Domestic Helper Tourism;
- C-3-4 Short-Term Business;
- C-3-1 for conferences and events.
- Prepare the documents in full. Incomplete or non-compliant documents can lead to refusal. A refused applicant cannot appeal and must wait 3 months to reapply.
- Book an appointment on the KVAC website. Slots open 2 weeks before the visit date. Each applicant may make only one booking; duplicates may all be cancelled. Appointment holders are served first, so walk-ins can face long waits.
- Submit in person at the KVAC. One family member may submit for the whole family, with proof of relationship. mofa For company incentive tours, the KVAC states that applications may be submitted on behalf of employees if signed by a company representative. mofavisaforkorea-sg
- Track and print. No visa sticker is issued. Check the result and print the Visa Grant Notice on the Korea Visa Portal (www.visa.go.kr).
What this means for travel agencies and MICE organisers
- Your team can no longer lodge Korean visas for clients. Agency staff should guide clients through the process rather than submit for them. The embassy’s tourist visa checklist states that submission by external travel agents, friends or personal assistants is not allowed. mofa
- Incentive groups have a defined route. The C-3-9 Company Incentive Trip visa is designed for employees travelling on a company-sponsored incentive. mofa The embassy has asked the sponsoring company to submit all its employees’ applications together, with a company letter signed by a director listed in the company’s ACRA profile. mofa Confirm the current submission arrangements with the KVAC before you brief your corporate client.
- Lead times are longer. Allow 8 working days of processing, a 2-week booking window, possible document fixes and passport collection. The KVAC recommends applying at least one month before departure. visaforkorea-sg For incentive groups, we suggest starting six to eight weeks out.
- Passports are tied up during processing. mofa Travellers who need their passports for other trips in that window should plan around it.
- Plan for refusals. No reasons are given and there is no appeal, visaforkorea-sg so build a contingency into rooming lists, name changes and airline deadlines.
- Watch the K-ETA deadline. The K-ETA exemption for Singaporeans currently runs until 31 December 2026 (KST), under the Korean Ministry of Justice’s “Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption” published on k-eta.go.kr. At the time of writing we have not seen an official extension into 2027. Any K-ETA already issued remains valid until it expires. For groups departing from January 2027, check the official K-ETA website closer to departure.