How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Portland

Portland is the most populous city in the state of Oregon and the second-most populous city in the Pacific Northwest after Seattle.  The Portland metropolitan area has a population of 2.5 million people and is the 25th most populous metropolis in the United States.  The city is located on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, which meet on the northern end of the Willamette Valley.  The valley stretches for 150 miles between forested mountains containing rich farmland and scenic views.  Over 250 agricultural items are produced here, including award winning wines like pinot noir and hops used in the production of craft beer.  There are several thousand Koreans that live in the Portland area and city is home to the Korean Society of Oregon, a nonprofit organization that promotes Korean cultural heritage through community events and educational programs.  The city of Beaverton—one of the main cities that make up the Portland metropolitan—has numerous Korean restaurants, grocery stores, and other specialty stores.  American people interested in learning about Korea can enroll in Korean history and languages courses offered at Portland Community College.  Portland State University and the University of Oregon (in Eugene) also offer Korean language courses.    

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 television in our living room to the cars driving along the streets of Portland.  Korea is also an exporter of industrial products such as semiconductor machinery, cargo ships, and even defense industry equipment.  Although Korea is well known as a prodigious exporter, it is also a country that loves American products and imports many good and services from Portland and other parts of Oregon.  The Korean government even provides services to foreign entrepreneurs trying to do business in their country through the Seoul Global Center.  Korea is a beautiful country to visit, especially during the springtime when the flowers are in bloom, or during the autumn when the air is crisp and the skies are clear.  Korea’s capital and largest city, Seoul, is one of the most vibrant places to visit in the world and is a great place for lovers of food, shopping, and nightlife.

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Portland

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 Portland, you will fill out the visa application and bring your original passport and supporting documents to the consulate in Seattle (Visits to the consulate are by appointment only due to the ongoing virus situation.  Please click on this link for more details: [Important Notice] Visa Service Available on an Appointment Only Basis 상세보기|Visa RequirementsConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle (mofa.go.kr)). 

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
115 W Mercer Street
Seattle, WA 98119  

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 Seattle (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 Portland 

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Portland area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Korean consulate in Seattle by calling 206-441-1011.  You can also contact the consulate by email at this address: seattle0404@mofa.go.kr.   

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Portland or anywhere in the state of Oregon 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