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South Korea Visa for Hong Kong Citizens 2026

Visa Free

Hong Kong SAR passport holders can enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business, and are exempt from the K-ETA electronic travel authorization requirement that applies to many other visa-free nationalities.

Guide last updated October 25, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for the duration of your stay in South Korea
  • Confirmed return or onward flight ticket
  • Proof of accommodation for the length of the stay
  • Proof of sufficient funds for your trip
  • No K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is required for Hong Kong SAR passport holders, unlike most other visa-free nationalities
  • Travel health insurance is recommended though not mandatory

Visa types

  • Visa-free entry: no visa or K-ETA required for stays up to 90 days for tourism, business, or family visits
  • Work/study visas: required for employment or long-term study, processed through the Korean Consulate General in Hong Kong or VFS Korea
  • Long-term visit visa: required for stays beyond 90 days or repeated long visits, obtainable from the Korean Consulate in Hong Kong

Entry conditions

  • Present your passport and be ready to show your return ticket and accommodation proof at the immigration counter if asked
  • Immigration officers generally grant the full 90 days but may grant less depending on your stated travel plans
  • Paid employment is not permitted under the visa-free arrangement
  • Hong Kong SAR passport holders remain exempt from the K-ETA system that most other visa-free nationalities must complete online before travel
  • Extensions beyond 90 days require a visa application at the Korean Consulate in Hong Kong before the stay expires

Fees & processing time

  • No visa fee and no K-ETA fee for the standard 90-day visa-free entry
  • No advance processing time since neither a visa nor K-ETA application is required
  • A work, study, or long-term visit visa, if needed, is processed through the Korean Consulate General in Hong Kong, typically taking 5-7 business days
  • VFS Korea service fees apply on top of the consulate visa fee for categories that require in-person submission

Tips for Hong Kong travelers

  • Double-check before travel that the K-ETA exemption still applies to Hong Kong SAR passport holders, as exemption lists are periodically reviewed by Korean authorities
  • Direct flights from Hong Kong to Seoul and Busan are frequent, making South Korea one of the most accessible visa-free destinations for Hong Kong travelers
  • Carry proof of accommodation and return travel even though it's rarely checked, since immigration officers retain discretion to ask
  • If your trip may extend beyond 90 days, start the visa process at the Korean Consulate General in Hong Kong well in advance
  • Seasonal peak travel (Lunar New Year, Chuseok) can mean longer immigration queues at Incheon - allow extra time for arrival processing

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.