How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Tampa

The city of Tampa, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is one of the three principal cities (the other two being St. Petersburg and Clearwater) that make up the Tampa Bay area.  The Tampa Bay area is the 18th-largest metropolis in the United States and has a population of 3.1 million people.  The metropolis is home to several Fortune 500 companies and has a strong foundation of financial services and information technology firms.   The metro area includes the counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, and Manatee, along with the towns of Brandon, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Largo, Tarpon Springs, and Bradenton.  Although not officially part of the Tampa Bay Area, nearby Sarasota is a popular destination for international visitors thanks to the area’s beautiful beaches.  There are nearly 10,000 Korean immigrants in Tampa and the population is growing as more people break away from larger cities like Los Angeles and New York.  There are several Korean restaurants here and the area may soon have a Lotte Plaza Market, a Korean grocery chain with several locations on the East Coast.  The Tampa Bay area is also home to several Korean churches and other community organizations like the Tampa United Korean School that teaches Korean language, culture, and history to children. 

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 is a great place for American businesses providing education services and those manufacturing American-made foods and luxury products.  The Korean government—through the Seoul Global Center—even offers programs for foreign entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in 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.  Korea also has lots of natural beauty and is a great place for hiking, especially during the spring and fall months when the skies are clear.

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Tampa

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 pre-paid.

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 Tampa

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Tampa Bay 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 Tampa or anywhere in the state of 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