Summer is around the corner, and if South Korea is on your travel list — Seoul's buzzing streets, Busan's coastline, the food, the K-drama filming spots — I completely get it. We visited last year and it was honestly one of the best trips we've taken. But before you get there, there's the visa to sort out, and that's where most people get stuck.
The information online is scattered, half of it is outdated, and if you're based in Hyderabad, there used to be a very specific wrinkle that caught people off guard — the good news is that's changed since we applied. I'm writing this guide because I wish something this straightforward had existed when we were applying. Consider this your one-stop, no-fluff guide to getting your South Korea tourist visa sorted from Hyderabad.
First: Which Visa Do You Need?
For tourism — sightseeing, vacation, leisure — you need the C-3-9 visa (Short-Term General Tourist Visa). It's for people visiting South Korea for the purpose of tourism during vacation or leisure. You can check the official visa navigator to confirm your category and see the full requirements list:
✅ Update: Hyderabad Now Has Its Own Application Center
When we applied, Hyderabad applicants had to submit in Mumbai — that's no longer the case. BLS International now runs a South Korea Visa Application Center in Hyderabad at Banjara Hills, so you can submit locally instead of travelling to Mumbai. More on that, including the address, later in this guide — but always double-check your eligibility with BLS directly before you apply, since jurisdiction rules can change.
Step-by-Step Process
- Check your visa type using the official navigator For leisure tourism, select C-3-9. The navigator lists all required documents for your specific category.
- Gather all your documents Use the complete checklist below — this is the most time-consuming part. Start at least 3–4 weeks before your planned travel.
- Fill the visa application form online Go to visa.go.kr to fill the form. You can either do it yourself or have an authorized agent do it for a small additional fee.
- Prepare your Visa Request Letter This is a personal cover letter addressed to the Visa Officer. See the format guide below — it's simpler than it sounds.
- Submit at BLS Hyderabad (or Mumbai) Hyderabad applicants can now submit directly at the BLS South Korea Visa Application Center in Banjara Hills — no need to travel to Mumbai. You can still use Mumbai or one of the authorized travel agents there if you prefer.
- Track your application online Use the official status tracker. Normal processing takes 10–12 working days; express takes 3–5 working days.
- Receive your passport with visa Your passport is couriered back to you (or you collect in person). Pack your bags!
Complete Documents Checklist
Here's everything you need for a standard C-3-9 tourist visa application. Read each item carefully — small things like missing a bank seal or submitting a wrong photo size can delay your application.
Identity & Travel Documents
- Original Passport — valid for at least 6 months from your departure date, with minimum 2 blank pages. No need to send old passports.
- Passport copy — front page and last page of your passport.
- PAN Card copy — this is mandatory for all applicants.
- Visa Application Form — filled online at visa.go.kr, printed and signed.
- Visa Request Letter — personally written cover letter (see format guide below).
Photographs
- 2 recent studio photographs — not older than 6 months, taken specifically for this visa.
- Size: 35mm × 45mm, white background, mat finish.
- Face should cover at least 80% of the photo.
- No white clothes, no spectacles.
💡 Photo Tip
When you go to the studio, specifically ask for a "South Korea visa photo" and give them the 35×45mm spec. Most studios in Hyderabad know what this means. Get at least 4 copies printed — you'll need 2 per applicant and it's handy to have spares.
Travel Proof
- Return confirmed air ticket copy — both onward and return flights must be confirmed, not just on hold.
- Hotel confirmation for your entire stay — all nights must be covered. Booking.com or similar printouts are fine, but the reservation must show your name and dates.
- Day-to-day itinerary — a simple typed plan of what you'll do each day. It doesn't have to be overly detailed; even a brief city-by-city breakdown works.
Financial Documents
- Personal bank statement — last 6 months — savings bank account statement with original bank seal on it. Recommended balance above ₹1 lakh with evidence of regular transactions. This must be sent with the original bank stamp; a downloaded PDF statement is not accepted.
- Personal Income Tax Return — last 3 years — e-verified acknowledgment receipt (ITR Saral copy only, no computation sheet needed). If you cannot provide ITR, submit an explanatory letter.
Proof of Income — Based on Your Employment Type
If you're salaried:
- Salary slips for the last 3 months
- Original Leave Letter from your employer or HR, on company letterhead with company seal, authorized signature, and contact details of the signing person.
If you're a freelancer or self-employed:
- Last 3 months' invoices billed to clients, OR a letter from your client/company with seal and signature, OR a copy of your freelance contract.
- For media influencers: proof of payments received in your bank account.
- Proof of profession — qualification certificate, degree certificate, or professional registration.
If you own a business or company:
- Company registration proof — GST certificate, Partnership Deed, MoA, AoA, Gumasta, or Shop & Establishment Certificate.
- If the company is funding the trip: 6-month company bank statement with original bank seal is also required.
Emergency Contact
- Name, mobile number, and relationship of a family member — typed or handwritten on A4 paper. This person should be reachable if the consulate calls to verify your application. This matters — make sure the person you list actually picks up calls from unknown numbers.
Additional Documents — If Applying as a Dependent
This applies if you're a student, unemployed, a minor, or don't have your own financial documents (ITR, strong bank balance). Your sponsor must have a blood relationship with you — only blood relatives can sponsor your application.
- Sponsorship and consent letter from both parents (Mother and Father)
- Sponsor's last 6 months bank statement with original bank seal
- Sponsor's last 3 months salary slips
- Sponsor's last 3 years income tax returns
- Sponsor's proof of income (employment letter or business registration)
- Sponsor's retirement certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar card of the applicant along with the parent
- If student or minor: school/college/university ID card
How to Write Your Visa Request Letter
This is a simple personal cover letter — don't overthink it. Here's what it needs to contain:
- Your name, residence address, mobile number, and email as a header (personal letterhead style on A4)
- Addressed to: The Visa Officer, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, Mumbai
- Subject: SHORT TERM TOURIST VISA REQUEST
- A brief paragraph covering: your name, passport number, purpose of visit, travel dates and duration, where you'll stay, and who will bear all expenses
- A closing request to grant the visa
- Your signature at the bottom
📄 Letter Format Example
Think of it like this: "I, [Name], holding passport no. [XXXXXXXX], would like to visit South Korea for tourism from [date] to [date] — [X] days. I am a [your profession] and will be covering all travel and stay expenses myself. Please find all supporting documents attached." That's genuinely all it needs to be.
If you're a company owner, write it on company letterhead with your designation and company seal. If you're an individual/freelancer, your own name-and-address header on A4 is your letterhead.
If you're travelling with family and applying together, the principal applicant can include all dependents' names, passport numbers, and their relationship in the same letter. Photocopy this letter for each dependent applicant once it's signed.
Visa Fees Breakdown
There are two components to the total cost: the consulate fee (paid to the Korean government, tiered by entry type) and a flat BLS service charge if you submit through BLS Hyderabad or Mumbai directly. If you use a separate third-party travel agent instead, they add their own charges on top — see the Hana Travels example below.
Consulate Fees (via BLS, updated 2026-07)
| Visa Type | Standard Fee | Express Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry (up to 90 days) | ₹3,400 | ₹5,950 |
| Single-entry (longer than 90 days) | ₹5,100 | ₹7,650 |
| Double-entry | ₹5,950 | ₹9,350 |
| Multiple-entry* | ₹7,650 | ₹11,050 |
| *Double/Multiple entry is only available if you've travelled to South Korea before. Plus a flat ₹1,100 BLS service charge on top of whichever fee applies, per BLS's published tourist visa page. | ||
Per BLS, standard processing is 10 working days for complete applications; cases needing an interview or extra documents get another 10 working days from when you submit the additional material. BLS's site lists an express fee for each entry type but doesn't publish a separate express turnaround time — confirm the current express timeline directly with BLS before paying extra for it. Working-day counts exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and Indian/Korean public holidays.
Third-Party Agent Charges (e.g. Hana Travels)
If you'd rather not deal with BLS directly and use an independent travel agent instead, here's what those charges typically look like. We found these very reasonable compared to other agents we checked — some were quoting thousands more for the same service.
| Charge | Amount (incl. GST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agent service fee | ₹1,180 | Mandatory — for submission and handling |
| Form filling | ₹590 | Optional — skip this if you fill the online form yourself |
| Courier (passport return) | ₹590 | Optional — skip this if you collect in person from their Mumbai office |
| Minimum agent cost (form self-filled, self-collection): ₹1,180. Full-service (form filled + passport couriered back): ₹2,360 extra on top of consulate fees. This is separate from — and in addition to — the BLS service charge above, since the agent is the one dealing with BLS on your behalf. | ||
💰 What We'd Recommend
Skip the third-party agent altogether if you can get to Banjara Hills — walk into BLS Hyderabad yourself, fill the form online in advance, and you're only paying the consulate fee plus BLS's own ₹1,100 service charge. For most Hyderabad applicants doing a standard single-entry (up to 90 days) visa, that's roughly ₹4,500 all-in (₹3,400 consulate + ₹1,100 BLS service), no agent fees at all. That's genuinely affordable for an international visa. Apply early and stick with standard processing — BLS doesn't publish a set express turnaround, so paying the express fee without a confirmed faster timeline isn't worth it unless BLS explicitly commits to a date.
The Hyderabad Situation: A Local BLS Center Now Exists
When we applied, this was the part that tripped up a lot of Hyderabad travelers: the South Korean consulate's jurisdiction meant applications had to be submitted in person in Mumbai — no mailing documents, no dropping them at a local centre. That's changed. BLS International now runs a South Korea Visa Application Center in Hyderabad, at Dev Dhanuka Prestige, Road No. 12, NBT Nagar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500034. Hours are 9 AM–6 PM Monday to Friday, with applications accepted 9 AM–2 PM and passport collection 3–5 PM. Contact: +91-120-691-7531 / info.korea@blshelpline.com.
Your options now are:
- Submit at BLS Hyderabad — the simplest route for most local applicants, no travel required. Confirm with BLS that your current residence falls under the Hyderabad center's jurisdiction before you go.
- Submit at BLS Mumbai — the same organisation also runs the Mumbai center at Dalamal Towers, Nariman Point, if that's more convenient for you.
- Use an authorized travel agent — still an option if you'd rather have someone else handle the submission, particularly if you're not near either center.
The list below is who the consulate authorized for Mumbai submissions before the Hyderabad center opened, and may still be useful if you're going through an agent rather than submitting yourself. This list may be updated periodically — verify directly with the consulate or BLS before relying on it. Here are the agents that were authorized as of March 2025:
- Hana Travels LLP — +91-99207 69944 | vphanatravels@gmail.com | Kemp's Corner, Mumbai
- Greenlight Travel Solutions — +91-93218 79181 | skvisa@gltsonline.in | Dadar/Wadala, Mumbai
- Jetsave India Tourist — +91-74000 91929 | ashish@jetsavetours.com | Dhobi Talav, Mumbai
- Travel Point Holidays — +91-91672 97453 | contact@tpvisa.com | Fort, Mumbai
- Visa Consultancy Services — +91-22-4301-4000 | support@visaconsultancy.com | Fort, Mumbai
- MS Ideal Visum India — +91-8779 382447 | as.msideal@gmail.com | Fort, Mumbai
- Prominent Visa Services — +91-84258 50326 | vikas@prominentvisa.com | Wadala, Mumbai
- FCM Travel Solutions India — +91-22-4030-8698 | sanjay.patel@in.fcm.travel | Andheri East, Mumbai
- Sambhav Trade Tours — +91-98339 92839 | rajesh@sambhav.net | Andheri West, Mumbai
- Atlys India Private Limited — +91-79870 59612 | southkorea@atlys.com | Khar West, Mumbai
- Akbar Travel of India — +91-98214 87068 | izuvan@akbarholidays.com | Near Crawford Market, Mumbai
- Thomas Cook India — +91-98218 18119 | nilesh.ghare@thomascook.in | Fort, Mumbai
- BLS International Services — now also operates the official Hyderabad & Mumbai centers described above, so most applicants can go straight to them instead of through an agent — +91-120-691-7531 | info.korea@blshelpline.com | Nariman Point, Mumbai
- HyFlyer Global — +91-90993 74242 | info@hyflyerglobal.com | Ahmedabad
⚠️ Important Note
The consulate advises that applicants approach travel agents at their own discretion — the consulate takes no responsibility for any issues arising from agent interactions. Verify the agent you choose is still on the current authorized list before sending them your documents.
Our Experience: Hana Travels (Before the Hyderabad Center Opened)
We applied before BLS opened its Hyderabad center, so we went the Mumbai-agent route and used Hana Travels LLP — honestly had a great experience. What stood out was how clear and concise their communication was — they sent us a straightforward checklist, no unnecessary back-and-forth, no confusing jargon. The instructions were to the point and made the whole process feel manageable. We submitted our documents, paid the fees, and they handled the rest. The visa came through, and a few weeks later we were in Seoul.
Hana Travels LLP
One of the 14 consulate-authorized agents for Korean visa applications. The agent we personally used.
Quick Tips From Our Experience
- Start early. The bank statement collection alone — getting it stamped at a branch with an original seal — can take a few days. Don't leave it to the last minute.
- Book refundable hotels. You need confirmed hotel reservations before you have your visa. Use Booking.com's free cancellation options so you're not out of pocket if anything changes.
- Be reachable on your emergency contact's phone. The consulate does occasionally call to verify applications. Make sure whoever you've listed knows to answer calls from unknown numbers during the processing window.
- Keep originals safe. Your original passport, original bank statement with seal, and original leave letter cannot be photocopies. Everything else can be a self-attested copy.
- The itinerary doesn't need to be fancy. A simple typed day-wise plan is fine. "Day 1: Arrive Seoul, Hongdae area. Day 2: Gyeongbokgung, Insadong..." is perfectly acceptable.
- Track religiously once submitted. The online tracker is updated regularly. You'll see your status move through stages — it's reassuring once you know it's in the system.
✈️ Was It Worth It?
Absolutely. The visa process is more document-heavy than, say, Southeast Asia, but it's completely manageable once you know exactly what's needed. Seoul and Busan were phenomenal — the food, the culture, the sheer energy of the place. Every piece of paperwork was worth it. If you've been sitting on the fence, this summer is the time.