DistantNews
Support us
🇸🇬 Singapore /Economy & Trade

South Korea extends visa fee waiver for group tourists from 6 countries

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • South Korea has extended its waiver of visa application fees for group tourists from six countries until December 31 to boost inbound tourism.
  • The fee exemption applies to travelers from Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, aiming to revitalize group tourism.
  • The ministry reported a significant increase in group tourist arrivals in 2025, with a notable rise from China and India, while maintaining a low rate of undocumented residents among group tourists.

South Korea's Justice Ministry announced on July 1 that it will extend the waiver of visa application fees for group tourists from six specific countries until December 31. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to support the recovery and revitalization of the nation's inbound tourism sector.

The exemption applies to group tourists from Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

— South Korea's Justice MinistrySpecifies the nationalities eligible for the visa fee waiver.

The fee exemption, which removes the US$15 charge for visa applications, currently benefits group tourists from Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. This policy was initially set to expire at the end of June but has been prolonged to capitalize on the rising demand for group travel, particularly from China and Southeast Asian nations.

The policy, which waives the US$15 (S$19) visa application fee, had been scheduled to expire at the end of June. The ministry said it decided to extend the measure to “continue revitalising group tourism”.

— South Korea's Justice MinistryExplains the rationale behind extending the visa fee waiver policy.

Ministry data indicates a substantial increase in group tourist arrivals, with over 790,000 visitors entering South Korea on group visas in 2025, marking a 39% rise from the previous year. Chinese group tourists saw a 48% increase, while those from Vietnam grew by 5%. Notably, group tourists from India experienced the most significant percentage growth, more than doubling from 573 in 2024 to 1,120 in 2025.

According to ministry data, more than 790,000 tourists entered South Korea on group tourist visas in 2025, up 39 per cent from in 2024.

— South Korea's Justice MinistryProvides statistics on the increase in group tourist arrivals.

The ministry also highlighted the program's stability, noting that the proportion of group tourists who overstayed their visas and became undocumented residents fell to 0.07% in 2025, less than half of the 0.19% recorded in 2024. This suggests the program is effectively managed. The extension is expected to reduce financial burdens for foreign tourists and further contribute to the tourism industry's recovery and local economies. Separately, Singaporeans can enter South Korea for short stays without a visa or K-ETA approval until December 31.

Group tourists from China increased by 48 per cent during the same period, while those from Vietnam rose by 5 per cent.

— South Korea's Justice MinistryDetails the growth in group tourism from specific Asian countries.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog