How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Denver

Denver, known as the “Mile High City” because of its elevation of 5,280 feet, is the capital of Colorado and is one of the fastest growing cities in America.  The Denver Metropolitan area is the 19th most populous metro area in the U.S. and has a population approaching three million people.  The region’s growing and diverse economy—along with its proximity to Rocky Mountain ski resorts—make Denver an attractive destination for people seeking a more active and balanced lifestyle.  Denver has a diverse economy and strong foundation of Fortune 500 companies operating in various industries such as healthcare, financial services, media, apparel, electronics, mining, aerospace, energy, and food and beverage.  The Denver Metropolitan area includes the towns of Arvada, Castle Rock, Centennial, Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton, Westminster, and Aurora.   Denver has a thriving Korean community that is centered around Aurora, which has a sister city agreement with Seongnam, in South Korea.  Aurora is home to many Korean restaurants, churches, bakeries, and grocery stores—including an H Mart (there is another location in Westminster).  There is also a Korean school—the Korean Academy of Colorado—that welcomes all local residents to learn about Korean language and culture.

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.  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 the streets of Denver.  In recent years Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for college students throughout the state of Colorado interested in studying Korean language and culture (University of Denver, University of Colorado, and Colorado State University all offer Korean language courses).  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.  Sogang University (in Seoul) is one of the most popular universities for international students wanting to study the Korean language.  Visitors from Denver missing the ski slopes can make a weekend trip to Pyeongchang, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Denver

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

Korean Consulate
3500 Clay Street
San Francisco, CA 94118  

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: Visa IssuanceConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco (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 Denver  

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Denver area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Korean consulate in San Francisco by calling 415-921-2251 (after normal business hours you can call 415-265-4859 or 415-265-4746).  You can also contact the consulate by email at this address: consularsf@mofa.go.kr.   

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Denver or anywhere in the state of Colorado 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