South Korea Keeps Visa Fee Waiver In Place For Indian Group Tourists Until Mid-2026

Finance Minister of South Korea, Koo Yun-cheol, made a statement announcing the extension of the waiver on visa processing fees for group tourists from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and China for an additional six months. The fee exemption applies to C-3-2 visas and will remain in effect until June 30, 2026. The move aims to increase inbound tourism in the country, as the visa waiver is extended to those countries that have significantly contributed to the growth of South Korea's tourism sector.

South Korea's Visa Fee Waiver History

India, along with other countries, has been exempt from the visa fee through a scheme introduced in 2023. The exemption aims to revive South Korea's inbound tourism and attract an increasing number of tourists. The scheme targeted C-3-2 short-term groups and was set to expire on December 31, 2025. The move helps to remove the 18,000 Korean Won, or approximately $12.46, as the processing fee from the C-3-2 group travellers. However, after the exemption, the travellers save a significant expense on their travel.

Now, the Finance Minister of South Korea, Koo Yun-cheol, has extended the exemption period for an additional six months, until the end of June 2026.

Why did South Korea extend the Waiver of Visa fees for India?

South Korea has attracted a large number of tourists from these countries, due to its K-pop culture and IT supplier visits, resulting in a 37 percent increase last year to 235,000 tourists from India alone, according to VisaHQ. Hence, the move by South Korea to extend the waiver of the visa fee is aimed at maintaining its high tourism from countries such as India.

According to the Gulf News, the exemption of the visa fee has helped the country to recover its tourism sector. According to the records mentioned in Gulf News, "in November, foreign arrivals surged 17.3% year-on-year, reaching 1.6 million visitors, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in several markets."

The extension of visa fee waivers helps South Korea showcase its cultural heritage, including its ancient sites, religious monuments, K-dramas, K-pop, and traditional Korean cuisine. This further enables the country to generate revenue that will help conserve its landmarks and enhance the country's reputation as a top cultural destination.

How Does The South Korean Extension of The Waiver of Visa Fees Help Indians?

Waiving the visa fee for Indians is not only beneficial for the tourism and culture of South Korea, but it also has a significant impact on Indian explorers and budget-conscious group travelers. Previously, the C-3-2 tour group was required to pay a substantial amount of the budget for the processing fee (i.e., 18,000 Korean WON or approximately $12.46). With the introduction of the scheme in 2023, the processing fee can now be saved. This makes South Korea a more attractive and accessible destination for many tourists from India.

The expiration of the visa fee waiver in South Korea can lead to an increase in travel costs for tourists. However, the extension has helped group travelers in India minimize their travel costs and explore their culture in a pocket-friendly manner.