South Korea: Visa Fee Waiver for Indian Group Tourists

Travel plans to South Korea just became more attractive for Indian travellers, especially those heading out in small groups. In a move aimed at sustaining the sharp rebound in inbound tourism, the South Korean government has announced an extension of its visa processing fee waiver for short-term group visitors from six key countries, including India.

The decision, revealed by South Korea’s Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, comes amid a steady rise in foreign arrivals and reflects the government’s intent to keep travel demand strong as the country consolidates its post-pandemic tourism recovery. Under the revised policy, the South Korea visa fee waiver for Indian tourists will now remain valid for another six months, until June 30 next year.

South Korea: Visa Relief for Group Travellers

The exemption applies specifically to the C-3-2 short-term group tourist visa, a category widely used by small tour groups visiting South Korea for leisure. The waiver was initially scheduled to expire this week, but the extension offers welcome relief for travellers planning trips in the coming months.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the policy covers travellers from India, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia. These countries have consistently ranked among South Korea’s most important tourism source markets, particularly for organised group travel.

At present, applicants for a C-3-2 group visa are required to pay a processing fee of 18,000 won, roughly $12.46. By continuing to waive this charge, South Korean authorities hope to encourage more group bookings and reinforce the upward trend in visitor numbers that has gained pace in recent months.

Tourism Numbers Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels

Official data highlights just how strong the recovery has been. In November, South Korea welcomed approximately 1.6 million foreign visitors, marking a 17.3% increase compared to the same month last year. The figure also exceeded November 2019 levels by 9.6%, signalling that inbound tourism has not only recovered but moved beyond pre-COVID benchmarks.

Statistics from the Korea Tourism Organization show that China remained the largest source of visitors, with around 378,000 arrivals in November. Japan followed closely with 363,000 tourists, reflecting renewed momentum in bilateral travel. Taiwan ranked third with 158,000 visitors, while the United States and the Philippines recorded 133,000 and 60,000 arrivals, respectively.

South Korea: Uneven Recovery Across Regions

Despite the overall growth, recovery trends have varied by country. Chinese arrivals have climbed to roughly 75% of 2019 levels, indicating a gradual improvement. In contrast, travel from Japan has surged well beyond pre-pandemic figures, jumping 40.4% compared to November 2019. Industry analysts attribute this spike to pent-up demand, improved flight connectivity, and eased travel restrictions.

For the first 11 months of the year, South Korea recorded a total of 17.42 million foreign visitors, up 15.4% year-on-year and 8.6% higher than in 2019. Chinese tourists accounted for nearly 29.2% of the total, translating to an estimated 5.09 million travellers.