How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Houston

Greater Houston is the fifth most-populous metropolitan area in the United States and has a population of over 7 million residents.  Houston is one of America’s most ethnically diverse cities.  With over 145 different languages being spoken in this global city, it is no surprise that Houston has plenty of great restaurants offering delicious cuisine from all over the world, including several Korean restaurants.  This is a fast-growing and youthful city that attracts entrepreneurs, corporate businesspeople, international investors, and students.  Greater Houston encompasses nine counties and includes the cities of Sugar Land, Baytown, Conroe, Pasadena, Pearland, The Woodlands, and Galveston.  Houston has over 25,000 Koreans and the community is centered around the Spring Branch neighborhood, better known as K-Town.  This area has several Korean churches, professional service companies, restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores, such as H Mart.  Houston even has several South Korea-based chains such as Bonchon, Tom N Toms Coffee, and Tous Les Jours.  The area is home to the Korean Community Center of Houston and there are several other community organizations like the Korean American Society of Houston, which hosts the annual Korean Festival.

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 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 Houston streets.  In recent years Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for American college students interested in studying Korean language and culture (Rice University in Houston offers Korean language courses and a study abroad program in Korea).  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 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.  Intercity travel is a breeze thanks to Korea’s high-speed rail system, known as KTX.  The ride to Busan, Korea’s second largest city, only takes about 2 ½ hours. 

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Houston

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

Korean Consulate General
Visa Dept.
1990 Post Oak Blvd Suite 1250
Houston, TX 77056   

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: Long Term VisaConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston (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 Houston

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Houston area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Korean consulate in Houston by calling 713-961-0186 or by email at Con-hu@mofa.go.kr.   

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Houston or anywhere in the state of Texas 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