How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Boston

Greater Boston is the eleventh-most populous metropolitan area in the United States with a population of 4.9 million people, and includes towns such as Cambridge, Brookline, Quincy, Brockton, Lynn, Newton, Waltham, and Medford.  Boston is one of America’s oldest cities and has a rich history that attracts over 20 million tourists each year.  Known as the “intellectual capital of the United States”, Boston is a center of education that has more than 350,000 college students from around the world.  There are an estimated 20,000 Koreans living in Greater Boston, many of them students attending Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, Boston College, Wellesley College, Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts Boston, Tufts University, and others.  Apart from the multiple Korean student associations in the area, there are also other organizations like the Korean Cultural Society of Boston that promote Korean music, literature, and visual arts.  Although there is no official Koreatown in Boston, the Allston neighborhood has popular Korean chains like Bonchon, Tous les Jour, H Mart and many other Korean restaurants and markets.  Korea is easily accessible from Boston thanks to nonstop service to Seoul-Incheon (ICN) on Korean Air.  

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian country on the Korean Peninsula between the Yellow Sea and East Sea, wedged between China and Japan.  Korea is a small country of 51 million people but has the 10th largest economy in the world, a reflection of the hard-working character of its citizens.  Although Korean manufacturers compete directly with many American companies, they are also strategic partners, with each side making big investments in each other’s economy.  In recent years several Korean pharmaceutical companies have made investments into the Boston area to strengthen their research and development capabilities.  The flow of travelers is also going the other way, with more and more young people from Boston traveling to Korea to gain a better understanding of the language and culture.  Korea is a beautiful country to visit, especially during the springtime when the flowers are in bloom, or during the autumn when the air is crisp and the skies are clear.  Korea’s capital and largest city, Seoul, is one of the most vibrant places to visit in the world.  Neighborhoods like Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam are packed with nightclubs, bars, singing rooms, eateries, and boutique shops.  Other visitors may enjoy the beach resorts of Jeju Island. 

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Boston

Visas for South Korea are issued by the Korean government in the United States.  The government of South Korea is represented by their embassy located in Washington, D.C. along with twelve consulates located throughout the United States.  To apply for a visa from Boston, you will fill out the visa application and bring your original passport and supporting documents to the consulate located in Newton, just west of the city on the Massachusetts Turnpike. 

You can also send your application by US Mail or courier service using FedEx or UPS.  Here is the address:

Korean Consulate General
300 Washington Street, Suite 251
Newton, MA 02458  

It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Korean consulate website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the consulate website with detailed information: All about Korean Visa Application (Please Read This Notice First) 상세보기|Visa IssuanceConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in Boston (mofa.go.kr).

When applying for your visa by mail, you will send a notarized copy of the data page of your passport—it is unnecessary to send a return shipping envelope because you will print out your visa form this website: KOREA VISA PORTAL.  The consulate no longer issues traditional sticker-type visas that are attached to one of the visa pages of your passport. 

The government’s visa fee is $45 for U.S. citizens and the processing time usually takes about 3 - 4 weeks.  If you need the visa faster, please contact our company to inquire about expedited services.

Other things to consider:

  • U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days if they are traveling for tourism, pleasure, short-term business meetings, or visiting family, however, they must apply for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) on this website: Welcome - K-ETA
  • U.S. citizens must have a valid passport that does not expire within six months of your date of entry into South Korea.
  • All visitors to Korea are currently subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine at a hotel assigned by the government and a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) result is required for all foreigners entering the country. For more information, please visit the Korean embassy website: Notice 목록Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (mofa.go.kr)
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.

Emergency Assistance for Korean Citizens in Boston 

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Boston area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Korean consulate in Boston by calling 617-641-2830, or by calling 617-264-0404 for emergency after hours service.  You can also contact the consulate by email at this address: kcgboston@mofa.go.kr.    

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Boston or anywhere in the New England region and have difficulty applying for a Korean visa or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Korean visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Korean government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Korea visa services for our customers:

  • Korean Tourist Visa
  • Korean Business Visa
  • Korean Official Duty Visa
  • Korean Student Visa
  • Korean Work Visa (English Instructor / University Professor / Specialty Occupation / Religious Worker / Military)
  • Korean Working Holiday Visa
  • Korean Journalist Visa (Temporary News Coverage / Residence Reporter)
  • South Korea Hotel Accommodations