How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Detroit

Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan and the second largest metropolitan area in the Midwest (after Chicago).  Detroit is better known by its nickname “Motor City”, or “Motown”, because of its prominence as the global center of the automotive industry.  Although the city has certainly had its share of ups and downs, Detroit remains an important and influential American city.  The Detroit metropolitan area, known as Metro Detroit, has a population of 4.3 million and is the fourteenth-largest metropolis in the United States.  Metro Detroit includes the towns of Dearborn, Royal Oak, Auburn Hills, Livonia, Southfield, Rochester Hills, Warren, Pontiac, Troy, Sterling Heights, and other municipalities.  There are over 20,000 Korean immigrants throughout Metro Detroit and double that number in the state of Michigan; the college towns of Lansing and Ann Arbor both have a substantial population of Koreans.  Detroit has strong links to Korea through the auto industry and there are daily nonstop flights from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) to Seoul-Incheon Airport (ICN) on Delta Airlines.  Detroit is home to several Korean community organizations such as Korean Cultural Center of Michigan, the Korean American Community of Metro Detroit, and the Detroit Saejong School. 

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.  Korean companies have created jobs for Americans by establishing manufacturing plants in the area, and there are Metro Detroit companies exporting machinery, auto parts, metals, and chemicals to Korea.  In recent years Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for young people 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.  American visitors should also make a point of visiting the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and Panmunjom. 

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Detroit

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

Korean Consulate General
NBC Tower Building Suite 2700
455 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611   

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 InformationConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago (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 2 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 Detroit  

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Detroit area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Korean consulate in downtown Chicago by calling 312-822-9485 or by email at chicag@mofa.go.kr.   

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Detroit or anywhere in the state of Michigan 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