To know the exact validity of your visa as well as the length of your stay, you need to know what type of visa you are applying for. According to the number of entries, it is divided into 2 types of visas:

•    Single-entry visa: This is a type of visa that only allows you enter Korea  for a single entry. It means you cannot use this visa to enter again even though the visa is still valid after exiting. The maximum duration of stay: 15 days, even if the visa is valid for 3 months.

•    Multiple-entry visa: This type of visa allows you to enter South Korea  for multiple entries. It has two categories: a 5-year South Korea visa and a 10-year Korea visa.

For a period of 5 to 10 years, you are allowed to enter Korea for multiple entries (for a 5-year visa, the maximum length of stay is 30 days and 90 days for a 10-year visa).

Normally, it takes 8 to 10 days  (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) to process a visa. However, in the peak tourist seasons (February - April & September - November), when the number of the South Korea visa applications is high, the processing may take longer from 10 to 15 working days. 

To check your Korea Visa status, you can visit the website  https://www.visa.go.kr/

According to Mokrica's Korea Visa experience, you need to prepare visa documents about 1 month before the intended period of your trip.

According to the regulations of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam, the consular fees to apply for a Korea visa are as follows:

-   20 USD for a 3-month single entry visa
-   50 USD for a single entry visa more than 90 days
-   60 USD for a double entry visa in 6 months
-   80 USD for a 5-year multiple entry visa 

Applicants can pay consular fees in VND or USD

Fees are subject prescribed by the said Embassy, applicable to Korean visa applicants on their own.

Vietnam is a country with a difficult passport for freedom when you travel, most of the time when you go to any country in the world, the first thing you need to have is a visa and Korea is one of them.

However, applying for a Korea tourist visa will become easier, if you have a stable job and prove your financial ability, you can completely travel to Korea on your own.

Normally, Korea tourist visa does not require an interview if your documents are complete, except for some cases where the Embassy requires you to conduct a short interview via phone or in person at the Embassy office where you submitted your application, to verify some information, so you should also prepare for an interview, if required.

In the case of an interview, you just need to answer clearly, succinctly, confidently and comfortably. That is the secret to help you successfully answer the Korea tourist visa interview.

Starting from April 2019, the Embassy of The Republic of Korea in Hanoi or the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City will no longer directly receive Korea visa applications. All visa applications for Vietnamese citizens will be submitted through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC), specifically as follows:

Address to apply for Korea visa in Hanoi
Applicants with household registration from Da Nang to the North, submit in Hanoi
•    Address: 12th floor, Discovery Complex office building, 302 Cau Giay Street, Dich Vong, Cau Giay.
•    Tel.: (+84) 024-7100-1212
•   Website: www.visaforkorea-vt.com
•    Application deadline:
-  Individual: 09:00 – 17:00 (weekdays)
-   Service company: 09:00 - 17:00 (weekdays)
-   Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and New Year as prescribed
•    Result-delivering time:
-   Individual: 09:00 - 17:00 (weekdays)
-   Service company: 09:00 - 17:00 (weekdays)
-   Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and New Year as prescribed

Address to apply for Korea visa in Ho Chi Minh City
Applicants have household registration from Quang Ngai back to the southern provinces
HCMC - AT CAMPUS 1:
•    Receive tourist and business visa applications: single and multiple entry.
•   Address: 16th floor, Vietcombank Building, 5 Me Linh Square, Ben Nghe, Dist. 1
•   Website: www.visaforkorea-hc.com
•    Tel.: 02871011212 (9:00-19:00 Mondays to Fridays)
•    Email: kvac.hcm@visaforkorea-hc.com
•    Appointment: Required to book an appointment in advance on the website.
•    Application deadline:
-   Individual: 08:30 – 16:00
-   Service company: 08:30 – 15:30 (weekdays)
•    Result-delivering time:
-   Individual: 11:00 – 17:00
-   Service company: 11:00 – 17:00

HCMC -- AT CAMPUS 2:
•   Receive family visit, marriage and study visa applications 
•    Address: 253 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
•    Application deadline:
-   Individual: 08:30 - 15:00 (weekdays)
-   Service company: do not accept
•    Result-delivering time:
-   Individual: 13:00 – 17:00 (weekdays)
-   Service company: no
•    Appointment Requirements:  It is not required, but it is recommended to make an appointment in advance, as the number of applications without an appointment will be limited.

From our conclusion and experience, Mokrica would like to share with you some secrets when applying for a successful Korean tourist visa as follows:

•    All documents are prepared on A4 paper, and arranged in order (1. Passport, 2. Korea visa application form, 3. Certified copy of National identity card/citizen card, 4. Certified copy and translation of household book, 5. Korea visa photo, 6. financial records, 7. Employment records, 8. Travel documents).
•    To ensure that no documents are lost, you should put all your documents in an envelope.
•    You should book a Korea visa appointment in advance and arrive about 15-30 minutes before the appointment time.
•    For applicants who have not booked an appointment, you should come early to dial the number and wait in line for your turn.

Below is a list of subjects exempted from Proof of Funds when applying for a Korea visa according to the latest regulations of the Embassy of this country in Vietnam:

1.    Office employees in the top 500 Vietnamese enterprises or companies with Korean investment capital according to the designated list of Korcham office.
2.    State employees, civil servants, employees of state-owned enterprises.
3.    Individuals owning a bank balance over 1 billion VND at a Vietnamese bank or a Korean bank.
4.   High earners
-   Annual income is over 8,000USD
-    Own domestic and international payment credit with Gold or Platinum limit.
5.    Individuals operate in the fields of culture, art, physical training and sports, people with expertise and high skills (for example: Doctor, etc.)
6.    Individuals who graduated from a university in Korea (including colleges).
7.    Retired officiers are over 55 years old and have a pension.
8.   Journalists, television producers of media agencies
9.    People with the right of permanent residence, who have been to OECD countries.

 Note: OECD is the Organization of European Economic Cooperation with 30 members including: USA, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Japan, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Mexico, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic.

A 5-year visa is a type of visa that allows you to enter Korea for multiple entries (multiple visa). Multiple entry visas include 5 years and 10 years. In which:

•    5-year type allows continuous stay up to 30 days/entry.
•    10-year type allows continuous stay up to 90 days/entry.
The 5-year visa can only be used for the following purposes: business, commerce or tourist

Conditions to apply for a 5-year visa for people who continuously enter Korea: You must have permanent residence in 3 major cities and provinces for 12 months or more (Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City). If you do not have a permanent residence in the 3 cities mentioned above, you must have entered Korea at least 4 times in the last 2 years.

The Korea visa processing time is 5 years, usually after 08 working days from the date of receiving the all documents, there will be results. However, during peak seasons (April - May or October - November), the processing time may be longer.