How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Charlotte

Charlotte is the 23rd-most populous city in the United States and is the most populous city in the state of North Carolina.  The Charlotte metropolitan area is a sixteen-county region that stretches into the state of South Carolina and includes the towns of Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Indian Trail, Mooresville, Monroe, Salisbury, Matthews, Statesville, Rock Hill (SC), and Fort Mill (SC).  Known as the Queen City, this metropolis of 2.6 million people has been one of the country’s fastest-growing cities the past two decades.  Charlotte’s youthful population, low cost of living, and geographic location in America’s Sun Belt, have made it an attractive destination for business investment.  While the Interstate 85 corridor stretching from Atlanta to Charlotte has long been a popular investment area for European industrial companies, there are an increasing number of Asia-based firms making investments here, including those from South Korea.  Charlotte is home to a few thousand Korean immigrants and there are several Korean churches throughout the metro area.  There is also a school teaching the Korean language to children along with other nonprofit organizations like the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce representing the interest of small businesses in the area.    

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian country on the Korean Peninsula between the Yellow Sea to the west and East Sea on east, wedged between China and Japan.  Although Korea is a small country of only 51 million people, their economy is the 10th largest in the world, a reflection of the industrious and hard-working nature of its citizens.  Korean products are an everyday part of our lives, from the Samsung phone in our pockets to the Kia and Hyundai cars driving along Charlotte’s streets.  Charlotte is also home to a growing number of Korean restaurants, including a Bonchon franchise, a popular Korean-fried chicken restaurant.  In recent years Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for American college students interested in studying Korean language and culture, influenced by the popularity of Korean pop music, dramas, and food.  Seoul, South Korea’s capital and most populous city, is one of the most exciting and vibrant places in the world.  Neighborhoods like Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam are packed with nightclubs, bars, singing rooms, eateries, and boutique shops.  Seoul is also a great place to explore on foot and has the longest subway system in the world, making it an easy and inexpensive city to get around.

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Charlotte

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 Charlotte, you will fill out the visa application and bring your original passport and supporting documents to their office in Atlanta.  You can also send your application by US Mail or courier service using FedEx or UPS.  Here is the address:

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea
Attn: Visa Services
229 Peachtree St NE
Suite 2100 International Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30303    

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: General Infromation about Visa Issuance 상세보기|Visa IssuanceConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta (mofa.go.kr)

You should include a self-addressed USPS (US Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail), FedEx, or UPS prepaid envelope (please make note of the tracking number) so the consulate can return your passport and visa to your home or office.  The consulate does not accept FedEx or UPS shipping labels where the account or credit card information has been written in -- all return airbills must be prepaid. 

The government’s visa fee is $45 for U.S. citizens and the processing time can take up to 3 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 Charlotte

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Charlotte area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Korean consulate in downtown Atlanta by calling 404-522-1611 or by email at atlanta@mofa.go.kr.  If you need to renew your Korean passport, you must visit the consulate in person to fill out the application form and have your fingerprints taken.  More information can be found using this link: PassportConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta (mofa.go.kr)

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Charlotte or anywhere in the state of North Carolina 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 Korean 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