How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and is an important global city that attracts visitors from all over the world.  The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area—which includes the District of Columbia and parts of Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia—is America’s sixth-largest metropolis and has a population of 6.3 million people.  Cities within this area (apart from the District of Columbia) include Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Reston—all in Virginia—along with the Maryland towns of Bethesda, College Park, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Silver Spring.  The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area has the third-largest population of Koreans in the United States numbering over 200,000 residents.  The Korean community in Northern Virginia is centered around the town of Annandale, and Ellicott City is the hub for Koreans in Maryland.  There are an estimated 170 Korean-owned businesses in Ellicott City located along ‘Korean Way’, a five-mile stretch of Route 40 that serves as the business district for this immigrant community.  There are 14 schools in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area that teach Korean to school-age children, including several public schools in Fairfax County, Virginia.  The area is also home to over 200 Korean churches.

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 and is ranked 5th in manufacturing output.  South Korea is an important ally of the United States and is a regularly visited destination for politicians and federal government workers in Washington, D.C.  There are currently 28,000 American soldiers stationed throughout the country at military bases like Camp Humphreys and Yongsan. In recent years Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for American college students 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.  Busan, Korea’s second largest city, is also a must-visit destination for Washington, D.C. area tourists.  As a port city on the southeastern tip of the country, Busan has a rugged flavor that contrasts with the glitz and glamour of Seoul.   

Obtaining a Korean Visa from Washington, D.C.

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 Washington, D.C., you will fill out the visa application and bring your original passport and supporting documents to their office located on Massachusetts Avenue in the Embassy Row neighborhood.  Here is the address:

Embassy of the Republic of Korea
2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Korean embassy website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Please also be aware that all applicants must book an appointment online before appearing at the embassy.  Here is the link to the embassy website with detailed information: Visa Application Forms (Online Reservation for Visit Requested) 상세보기|VisaEmbassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (mofa.go.kr)

You can 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 embassy can return your passport and visa to your home or office.  The embassy 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 Washington, D.C. 

If you are a citizen of South Korea living in the Washington, D.C. area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Korean embassy in Washington, D.C. by calling 202-939-5653 (or 202-641-8761 for after hours) or by email at consular.usa@mofa.go.kr.   

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Washington, D.C. or anywhere in the state of Virginia, Maryland or West Virginia 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 Togo 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