How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Miami

The Greater Miami Area is the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the United States and has a population of 6.2 million people.  The metropolitan area is composed of Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County.  Its main cities include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Miami Gardens, Miramar, Homestead, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and Boca Raton.  This is a diverse community where 40% of the population was born in another country, and it is one of America’s most important cities for international trade.  Miami is a business hub for the Latin American region and is often thought of as the unofficial “Capital of Latin America”.  However, Miami’s ties with East Asia are modest when you consider the connections this city has with other parts of the globe.  There are a few Korean restaurants and stores in Miami, but overall, there is no centralized Korean community here like in many other major American cities.  Miami is home to several large universities like Florida International University which offers Korean language courses and study abroad programs in Korea.  Korea is also becoming recognized as a travel destination for people in Miami thanks to the increasing popularity of Korean pop music and dramas throughout Latin America.

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 that is less than three-fourths the size of Florida, their economy is the 10th largest in the world, a reflection of the hard-working character of its citizens.  Korea has strong business ties with Latin America, particularly with Mexico and Brazil.  Korea recently signed a free trade deal with several countries in Central America, further boosting the potential of Miami to serve as a warehouse and service center for Korean industrial companies.  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.  Korea is a wonderful place for visitors from Miami to enjoy during the springtime when the flowers are in bloom, or during the fall when the air is crisp and the leaves are changing color. 

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Miami

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 Miami, 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 Miami 

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Miami 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 Miami or anywhere in South Florida 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