Visa-Free Entry for Tourism or Transit (B-2) — Eligibility, Period of Stay, Extensions and Changes
Based on Ministry of Justice manual (2026-09-18) · Translated from the Korean original.
This is a status of stay for foreign nationals seeking to enter the Republic of Korea without a visa for tourism or transit. The permitted activities are tourism and transit, and the period of stay is the period separately determined by the Minister of Justice (법무부장관).
At a glance
Who it is for
- People seeking to enter the Republic of Korea without a visa for tourism
- People seeking to enter the Republic of Korea without a visa for transit
- People eligible to enter without a visa under a visa-exemption agreement
- Nationals of countries whose citizens are separately permitted to enter without a visa for purposes such as international goodwill, tourism, or the interests of the Republic of Korea
What you can do
- You may engage in tourism or transit activities.
- The scope of activities is generally based on the scope of activities permitted under C-3 (Short-Term Visit).
- If the scope of activities is separately determined on the basis of reciprocity, that scope applies.
- The excerpt does not separately state whether employment is permitted under B-2.
Period of stay
The maximum period of stay that may be granted for one entry is the period separately determined by the Minister of Justice. The table of visa-free periods of stay by country is provided as of September 22, 2022.
Applications & documents
Visa-free entry
- Valid passport
B-2 applies to people seeking to enter without a visa. Eligibility for entry and the period of stay are subject to the relevant exemption agreement or separately established criteria.
Application to extend the period of stay
- Application (신청서; Form No. 34 (34호 서식))
- Original passport
- Documents substantiating the need to extend the period of stay
The fee for reviewing an application to extend the period of stay is KRW 60,000. In principle, people who entered under B-2 are not granted permission to extend their period of stay.
Application to change status of stay
In principle, people who entered under B-2 are not granted permission to change their status of stay. The excerpt does not provide documents required for an application to change status.
Enter after obtaining a visa for the required period of stay
If the intended period of stay exceeds the period allowed under the agreement or the period separately determined by the Minister of Justice, you must obtain a visa and enter the country. The excerpt does not provide documents required for a visa application.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the B-2 status for tourism or transit?
It is a status for people seeking to enter the Republic of Korea without a visa for tourism or transit. The permitted activities are tourism and transit.
Q. Can anyone enter visa-free under B-2?
No. You must meet the criteria for visa-free entry under a visa-exemption agreement or other separately established criteria. The table of periods of stay by country in the excerpt is as of September 22, 2022.
Q. How long can I stay under B-2?
The maximum period of stay for one entry is the period separately determined by the Minister of Justice. The period may differ by country, so you should check the applicable criteria.
Q. Can I extend my period of stay under B-2?
In principle, people who entered under a visa-exemption agreement or for tourism or transit are not granted permission to extend their period of stay. The listed documents for an extension application are an application, the original passport, and documents substantiating the need for an extension.
Q. Can I change from B-2 to another status of stay?
In principle, you cannot obtain permission to change your status of stay. The excerpt does not provide any exception criteria.
Q. What should I do if I want to stay longer than the period allowed?
If your period of stay will exceed the period allowed under the agreement or the period separately determined by the Minister of Justice, you must obtain a visa and enter the country. Do not assume that you can extend your stay or change your status after entering.
Q. Can I work under B-2?
The provided excerpt does not separately state whether employment is permitted under B-2. The stated scope of activities is tourism and transit; it is generally based on the scope of activities permitted under C-3 and may vary according to reciprocity.
Watch out for
- In principle, people who entered under B-2 are not granted permission to extend their period of stay or change their status of stay.
- To stay longer than the permitted period, you must obtain a visa and enter the country.
- The table of periods of stay by country is dated September 22, 2022. Do not apply the periods listed in the table uniformly as if they were current.
- Even though documents for an extension application are listed, note that permission to extend is generally restricted.
Source
Compiled by AI from the Ministry of Justice "Visa Issuance Guide Manual" and "Residence Guide Manual" (HiKorea notice, in Korean). hikorea.go.kr
This is general guidance; the immigration office makes the final decision. Before applying, check the latest rules on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.