South Korea extends visa-fee waiver for Indian group tourists until June 2027

Seoul has prolonged its KRW 18,000 (≈ ₹1,100) processing-fee waiver for C-3-2 short-term group visas covering India, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia through 30 June 2027. The scheme, introduced in 2023 to revive inbound tourism, had been due to expire on 31 December 2025.

Official data show foreign arrivals hit 1.6 million in November 2025—17.3 % above the previous year and 9.6 % higher than pre-pandemic levels. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said the extension aims to “sustain momentum” in visitor numbers and related service-sector jobs.



For Indian MICE planners and incentive-travel houses, the fee waiver cuts paperwork and costs for corporate delegations attending trade fairs in Seoul or Busan. Typical processing times drop from ten to five working days because bulk applications are submitted through accredited travel agencies rather than individual consulates.

Travel-risk teams, however, should note that the waiver applies only to organised groups of five or more travellers on identical itineraries, and stays are capped at 30 days. Individual business-visa (C-2) applicants must still pay the standard fee and provide invitation letters.

Indian outbound operators expect South Korea to challenge Japan and Singapore for short-lead Asian incentive programmes in 2026, aided by new non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai scheduled to launch this March.