South Korea Passports
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- South Korean passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries, making it one of the most convenient passports for international travel.
- Applying typically involves visiting a local community center or consulate, submitting the application form, a photo, and the required fee.
- The validity is 10 years for adults and 5 years for children, supporting both short-term travel and long-term planning.
- Long-term residents of South Korea can pursue citizenship through naturalization, which may lead to passport eligibility, depending on meeting specific criteria including language proficiency and understanding of Korean culture.
- Fees for renewal vary based on the passport type and validity period, with the process requiring submission of the existing passport, a photo, and the renewal fee.
Welcome to the exclusive club of South Korean passports, where your travel diary is less about "Where can I go?" and more about "Where haven't I been yet?"
If you're a South Korean passport holder, you wield a small but mighty titan of travel, a master key to the world that turns the globe into a playground.
In This Article, You Will Discover:
It symbolizes heritage and high-tech harmony, a gateway to a saga of borderless adventures.
So buckle up as we dive into the ins and outs of this potent passport…
*Disclaimer: All amounts quoted in this article were correct and accurate at the time of publication and may have shifted since.
- Who offers the CHEAPEST program available.
- Who offers the BEST program available.
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South Korean Passports: An Overview
South Korean passports are highly secure travel documents featuring advanced biometric technology and intricate designs that reflect the nation's cultural heritage, offering extensive visa-free travel benefits to its citizens.
Here are the basics you should note:
Design
South Korean passports boast a deep green cover with the national emblem embossed in gold.
The emblem includes the Taegeuk and 4 trigrams, reflecting the country's flag and philosophical ideals.
Internally, the Asia Pacific passports pages are artistically embedded with images of national importance and heritage, serving both an aesthetic function and adding complexity to deter forgeries.
Biometric Features & Security Enhancements
The passports have a microchip that stores the holder’s biometric data, aligning with international e-passport standards.
Critical biometric data includes facial recognition, fingerprints, and critical personal information.1
Holographic images, watermarks, ultraviolet features, thread with changing colors, and intricate microtext are some security features that keep people from copying or tampering with the originals without permission.
Benefits
South Korean passport holders enjoy several benefits, including visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to numerous countries worldwide, a testament to the passport's strength in international travel.
The biometric features streamline the immigration process, often allowing access to automated border gates in various countries.
These security measures also offer a layer of protection against identity fraud.
Eligibility for Non-Residents
South Korean passports are exclusive to South Korean nationals, and residency doesn’t equate to eligibility.
However
Naturalization processes are in place for non-residents who meet stringent criteria, allowing them to acquire a South Korean passport.
Dual Citizenship
The stance on dual citizenship in South Korea is generally prohibitive, with certain exceptions.
Those who have dual citizenship from birth are required to choose 1 nationality before they turn 18 (with some conditions allowing a decision by 22).2
Senior residents and individuals contributing significantly to South Korean society may also hold dual citizenship.
Important Passport Regulations
South Korean passport holders are expected to adhere to several regulations.
These include:
- Ensuring passport validity extends 6 months beyond their travel date.
- Immediately reporting lost or stolen passports.
- Avoiding any form of unauthorized alterations or damage to the passport.
Costs & Fees
The cost of a South Korean passport can vary based on the type and processing speed.
A standard 48-page passport is typically priced at around 53,000 KRW, with a 24-page version slightly less expensive.
Additional charges apply for expedited processing, and prices are subject to change.
3 Types of South Korean Passports
South Korea issues ordinary, diplomatic, and official passports, each designed for different categories of citizens based on their travel purpose and official status.
Take a look:
Ordinary Passport
The ordinary passport, also known as a regular passport, is the standard travel document for South Korean citizens.
But wait, there’s more
It's used for personal or business travel, and it's the type most citizens will possess.
The ordinary passport is burgundy-red and comes in different versions with varying numbers of pages, depending on the traveler's needs.
Diplomatic Passport
A diplomatic passport is a specialized document issued to government officials and diplomats for work-related international travel.
It’s black and facilitates easier passage through immigration and customs, often with fewer checks, reflecting the holder's status and need for diplomatic immunity.
Typically
Holders are high-ranking officials, ambassadors, consuls, and members of the National Assembly when on official government business abroad.
Official Passport
The official passport, with a green cover, is for civil servants and employees of the government traveling abroad on official state business that doesn’t warrant the issuance of a diplomatic passport.
It’s intended for those in the public sector who may not qualify for diplomatic passports but still need to be identified as traveling on state affairs.
This passport type offers fewer privileges than the diplomatic passport but still provides a level of official recognition beyond an ordinary passport.
Power of South Korean Passports
The South Korean passport is a powerful international travel document, offering its holders extensive visa-free access and a high degree of global mobility, as reflected in its robust Global Passport Index rating.
Here are the statistics:
Visa-Free Countries
South Korean passport holders can currently travel to 148 countries without requiring a visa.3
These countries include major destinations like Brazil, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, offering broad travel opportunities.
Visa-on-arrival access extends to numerous countries, including Bolivia, Cambodia, Egypt, Jordan, and Laos.
Global Ranking
The South Korean passport is highly esteemed in global rankings, reflecting its strong global mobility.
South Korea's passport currently ranks 5th on the Global Passport Index.4
This ranking underscores the South Korean passport as one of the most powerful and sought-after passports for international travel.
South Korean Passport Renewal Process
As of 2025, there are 2 options to renew your South Korean passport:5
- By mail, via ILyang Logis Courier Service
- In-person, via appointment
It's important to note that renewal applicants must use the online Passport Wizard to generate the DS 82, Passport Renewal Application.
Furthermore, renewal applicants must use ILyang Logis Courier to pick up their passport application, documents, and fees, and this courier service will also return your new passport.
The cost is 9,000 won each way.
Common Questions
How Hard Is It to Get a South Korean Passport?
Can an American Get a South Korean Passport?
What’s the Difference Between the Regular South Korean Passport & the Electronic South Korean Passport (E-Passport)?
Can I Renew My South Korean Passport Before It Expires?
How Can I Change the Details (Like Address or Name) In My South Korean Passport?
Are Children Required to Have Their Own South Korean Passports, or Can They Travel on Their Parents’ Passports?
Who Gets a Red Passport in Korea?
Can You Smile in a Korean Passport Photo?
In Conclusion
So, there you have it—your South Korean passport is not just a booklet of pages; it's a canvas of your globe-trotting tales, an anthology of anecdotes waiting to unfold.
As you flip through its pages, each stamp tells a story—a legacy of the footprints you've left worldwide.
If you’re looking for a different passport, read our other country-specific passport articles.
Learn More: World's Most Powerful Passports
- Who offers the CHEAPEST program available.
- Who offers the BEST program available.
- What you need to qualify?
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