And just how many countries can the Korean passport holder gain access to without having to get a visa? 147 overall! The Korea Foundation Newsletter, in their October publication, shows the Korean passport has gained country border permeability and breaks that mobility range down into countries per continent. It also states that "The Korean passport belongs to the world's powerful group of passports, and is ranked one of the most powerful passports in Asia."
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VISA POLICY OF SOUTH KOREA (Wikipedia, last updated 24 Oct 2018)
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| VISA POLICY MAP: Map of countries with visa-free entry or visa waiver agreements with South Korea. |
Visa-free entry
Holders of passports issued by the following 117 jurisdictions do not require a visa to enter South Korea for up to the limit listed below:[
180 days
90 days
1 - For British passport holders, only British citizens and British National (Overseas) enjoy visa-free entry.
2 - Except for French passports issued in New Caledonia.
60 days
30 days
3 - For French passports issued in New Caledonia.
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| showDate of visa changes |
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South Korea Government plans to introduce electronic travel authorization system for visa-free foreign visitors.
Special policy
If traveling by air to Jeju Island via Seoul, Busan, Cheongju, Muan and Yangyang, citizens of 
China who are traveling as part of a tourist group with an authorized travel agent may stay in mainland South Korea for up to 5 days. They may remain in Jeju for 15 days.
China who are traveling as part of a tourist group with an authorized travel agent may stay in mainland South Korea for up to 5 days. They may remain in Jeju for 15 days.
Nationals of 
North Korea seeking to visit South Korea must submit the North/South Korea visitation verification certificate and the Departure card to the Immigration Officer at the immigration port and go through immigration inspection.
North Korea seeking to visit South Korea must submit the North/South Korea visitation verification certificate and the Departure card to the Immigration Officer at the immigration port and go through immigration inspection.Non-ordinary passports
Holders of diplomatic or service category passports of the following countries may enter without a visa:
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D: diplomatic passports
O: official passports
S: service passports
O: official passports
S: service passports
Holders of diplomatic or service category passports of the following countries enjoy an extended length of stay when compared to ordinary passports:
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Visa waiver agreements for diplomatic and service passports were signed with Vanuatu in December 2017 and Tanzania in July 2018 and are yet to be ratified.
Transit
In general, travelers in transit do not require a visa to transit through South Korea for less than 24 hours (for Incheon Airport) or when departing on the same calendar day (for all other airports) as long as they stay within the transit area.
Citizens of the following countries, however, must hold a Korean visa for transit:
The South Korean government has special visa waiver policies for passengers in transit, which are listed below.
Transit Tourism Program
Travelers who are in transit through Incheon International Airport can participate in an organized transit tour group within Seoul. The service is free but an entry-procedure fee of KRW 10,000 or USD 10 applies. The tour can be registered in advance or joined after the traveler's arrival, and the shortest tour lasts for an hour while the longest will not exceed 5 hours.
Nationals of the following countries, as well as stateless persons and refugees, are not eligible for this service:
30-day visa exemption
Non visa-exempt nationals who are in transit through South Korea are visa-exempt for 30 days, provided they hold a physical visa or a residence permit issued by the following countries, and meet one of the routing requirements:
- They are directly arriving in South Korea from one of these countries and going to a third country, or directly leaving South Korea to one of these countries after arriving from a third country; or,
- They are arriving in South Korea from one of these countries and have transited in a fourth country for less than 72 hours before entering South Korea, and continuing to a third country; or,
- They are leaving South Korea after arriving from a third country to one of these countries and will be transiting in a fourth country for less than 72 hours.
1 - Holders of e-visas or e-resident permits are only permitted visa-free entry if they depart from Australia.
In addition, holders of Chinese passports who also hold a physical visa or a residence permit issued by an EEA member state or Switzerland, or a group visa issued by Japan and traveling with the tour group, can also enjoy visa-free transit for 30 days.
Chinese passports who also hold a physical visa or a residence permit issued by an EEA member state or Switzerland, or a group visa issued by Japan and traveling with the tour group, can also enjoy visa-free transit for 30 days.
This policy does not apply to the following nationalities:
Nationality evaluation
Under article 20 of the Nationality Act, North Koreans and Sakhalin Koreans are eligible for the evaluation of nationality. The evaluation is used to determine whether one possesses South Korean nationality based on the Nationality Act of South Korea.
As a part of the evaluation process, the applicant's personal history, family ties, migration history and current nationality (if any) will be examined by the Ministry of Justice. Successful applicants will be allowed to acquire South Korean nationality (in case of North Koreans) or have their South Korean nationality reinstated (for first-generation Sakhalin Koreans). Descendants of first-generation Sakhalin Koreans may be eligible for South Korean nationality through either express naturalization or reinstatement.
Jeju Island
All ordinary passport holders except the following can stay visa-free 30 days in Jeju Province.
However, the above-mentioned nationalities are eligible if holding a Certificate of Invitation issued by Jeju Island Immigration Office, or have previous visited South Korea for 3 times since 1996 or once since 2006 while holding permanent residence permits issued by Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States.
APEC Business Travel Card
Holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing the "KOR" code on the reverse that it is valid for travel to South Korea can enter visa-free for business trips for up to 90 days.
ABTCs are issued to nationals of:
South Korean visas
South Korea provides visas to cover various approved activities in country.
Working Holiday Visa (H-1)
The Working Holiday Visa (H-1) is issued to young-adult foreigners in some countries which have reciprocal agreements with South Korea. Holders are allowed to stay in the country for up to one year and engage in some employment activities as well as some educational activities. However, the main purpose of the trip is intended to be vacation. People between the ages of 18 and 25 or 30, depending on the country, are eligible for a South Korean working holiday visa. A working holiday visa holder cannot be employed in certain jobs such as receptionist, dancer, singer, musician, acrobat, or in places of entertainment where they may endanger good morals and manners.
Overseas Study (D-2) visa...
Corporate Investment (D-8) visa...
Foreign Language teaching (E-2) visa...
Residency (F-2) visa...
