Korea Visa Application Centers : Launched In Chennai and Bengaluru

Korea Visa Application Centers : In a significant move to facilitate travel and strengthen diplomatic ties, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai, India, has unveiled its modern and spacious South Korea visa application centres (KVACs) in Chennai and Bengaluru, starting from 1 September 2023. This development promises to enhance the ease and efficiency of visa applications for travellers residing in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu.

Operated in collaboration with VFS Global, a renowned outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, these cutting-edge KVACs aim to streamline the visa application process and offer a range of optional services for discerning applicants.

Travelers can now submit their visa applications on weekdays, from Monday to Friday, with specific time slots allotted for individuals and travel agents. The centres operate from 9 AM to 1 PM for individuals, 9 AM to 12 PM for travel agents, and 10 AM to 3 PM for passport collection, ensuring convenience for all applicants.

While the Embassy has been operating KVACs in New Delhi and Kolkata since 2011, the expansion into Chennai and Bengaluru reflects South Korea’s commitment to promoting tourism from India, especially as the two nations celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. To further this goal, the Korean Tourism Department (KTD) organized a massive roadshow in New Delhi in late August, with plans to extend these roadshows to other major Indian cities.

Tourism from India to South Korea experienced substantial growth until 2019, but factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline. To revitalize tourism in 2023, the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) India office recently introduced a special K-incentive Scheme designed to boost sales of Korean travel packages for Indian travel agents. In addition to the capital city of Seoul, regional tourist destinations like Busan, Gangwon, and Jellanam-do provinces are being actively promoted among Indian travellers.

Korea Visa Application Centers As Strategic Choice

The strategic choice of Chennai and Bengaluru as the locations for the new KVACs is not coincidental. Chennai boasts over 300 Korean companies, primarily focused on the automobile and electronics sectors, while Bengaluru continues to witness the steady expansion of Korean IT-based companies. As business activities between both nations thrive, the operation of KVACs in these regions is expected to contribute significantly to enhancing collaborative visits and strengthening economic ties.

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