South Korea has decided to extend its visa fee waiver for group tourists from key Asian markets, including India, as part of its efforts to maintain the strong rebound in inbound tourism. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced on Wednesday that the exemption on visa processing fees for short-term group travellers will continue for another six months.
The fee waiver applies to C-3-2 short-term group visas and was originally scheduled to expire this week. Under the new decision, the exemption will remain in effect until the end of June next year, according to Yonhap News Agency. Besides India, the extension covers travellers from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia. The standard processing fee for this visa category is currently 18,000 won (about $12.46).
The move comes amid a steady recovery in South Korea’s tourism sector, which has not only bounced back from the pandemic but has begun to surpass pre-Covid levels. “The move is aimed at sustaining momentum in inbound tourism,” Koo said, highlighting the government’s focus on keeping arrivals strong through supportive policy measures.
Official data from the Korea Tourism Organisation shows that foreign arrivals rose sharply in November, increasing 17.3 per cent compared with the same month last year. Around 1.6 million foreign tourists visited South Korea in November, up from 1.36 million a year earlier and 9.6 per cent higher than in November 2019.
China continued to be the largest source market with 378,000 visitors, followed closely by Japan at 363,000. Taiwan accounted for 158,000 arrivals, the United States 133,000, and the Philippines 60,000. While tourist numbers from China have recovered to about 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, Japan has shown a much faster rebound, with arrivals jumping 40.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2019.
Between January and November, South Korea welcomed 17.42 million foreign visitors, marking a 15.4 per cent increase year-on-year and an 8.6 per cent rise over 2019 levels. Chinese tourists made up the largest share during this period, accounting for 29.2 per cent, or roughly 5.09 million visitors.
By extending the visa fee waiver, South Korea aims to further strengthen travel demand from fast-growing Asian markets and ensure continued growth in its tourism industry.
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