Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- Embassy of the Republic of Korea is at 60 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ
- Consular phone line is +44 (0)20 7227 5500
- Tourist, business, student, working holiday, employment and family visit visas are processed
- Appointments and notices are at overseas.mofa.go.kr/gb-en
- British citizens typically use K-ETA for short visits rather than the embassy
Address and Contact Details
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London is at 60 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ. The consular section handles visa applications, passport services and notarial work for Korean nationals.
The main consular telephone number is +44 (0)20 7227 5500. The official site at overseas.mofa.go.kr/gb-en/index.do publishes opening hours, visa forms, fee tariffs and current K-ETA exemption status, which has changed several times in recent years.
Public hours are split into morning submission and afternoon collection sessions during weekdays. The embassy closes on UK bank holidays and Korean national days such as Liberation Day, Chuseok and Seollal, with adjusted hours during these periods.
Visa Services Available
The London embassy processes a broad range of visa categories that map to South Korea's residence sticker system. Visa types handled include:
- Tourist Visa (C-3): for short tourist or family visit stays where K-ETA is not applicable.
- Business Visa (C-3-4): for meetings, contract work and short term commercial activity.
- Student Visa (D-2 and D-4): for degree study and language training.
- Working Holiday Visa (H-1): for British citizens aged 18 to 30 under the UK-Korea agreement.
- Employment Visas (E series): covering professorship, language teaching, specialist research, skilled labour and others.
- Family Visit Visa (F series): for spouses, parents and dependents of Korean nationals and long-term residents.
British citizens visiting for short tourism, business or family visits up to 90 days usually travel under K-ETA when required, rather than the visa route at the embassy.
How to Book an Appointment
Appointment requests and visa enquiries are handled through the embassy site at overseas.mofa.go.kr/gb-en/brd/m_1558/list.do. Some categories require an in-person submission while others may be accepted by post or through an authorised representative.
Demand is heaviest before the Korean academic intake periods in March and September, the working holiday quota release windows, and Lunar New Year travel. Slot availability is published on the embassy site with the latest visa notices.
Applicants should print the confirmation, bring photo identification and arrive a few minutes before their slot. The consular waiting area has limited seating, so accompanying family members are usually asked to wait outside.
Documents and Requirements
Each visa category has its own checklist published by the Korean Ministry of Justice and the embassy. Typical documents requested include:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned stay with at least two blank pages.
- The completed visa application form, signed and dated.
- One recent colour photograph against a white background.
- Flight bookings and accommodation evidence for short stay applications.
- Bank statements covering the last three months and proof of employment or study in the UK.
- For business visas, an invitation letter from the Korean host on company letterhead.
- For student visas, a Certificate of Admission from the Korean institution, proof of paid tuition and a bank balance showing the required minimum funds.
- For working holiday applicants, a written plan covering intended activity, funds and travel insurance details.
- For employment visas, the visa issuance confirmation number from the sponsoring employer.
- For family visas, marriage and birth certificates with apostille where required.
Originals and clear photocopies are usually required. Documents not in English or Korean must be translated and certified before submission.
Processing Times and Fees
Standard visa processing at the London embassy is typically five to ten working days for short stay categories with a visa issuance number, and two to four weeks for longer stay residence categories that need additional checks. Some employment categories tied to a visa issuance confirmation number can be processed within a few days.
Consular fees are set in US dollars and Korean won, then converted to pounds sterling at the embassy. Fees scale with duration and whether the visa is single, double or multiple entry. Working holiday visas under bilateral arrangements often have a reduced or waived fee. Payment is taken in cash or by card.
Always confirm the current fee at the consular cashier on the day of submission, since exchange rate movement and tariff updates can shift the amount payable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens need a visa to visit South Korea?
British citizens can usually enter South Korea visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business or family visits. K-ETA pre-authorisation has applied in past periods and is sometimes lifted on a rolling basis, so check current K-ETA status before flying.
What is K-ETA and how does it differ from a visa?
K-ETA is the Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation, an online pre-arrival check for travellers from visa-exempt countries. It is faster and cheaper than a visa but only covers short tourist and business visits. Longer stays, study and work still need the appropriate visa.
Who can apply for the Korean Working Holiday Visa?
British citizens aged 18 to 30 inclusive at the time of application can apply under the UK-Korea working holiday programme. The annual quota is set bilaterally, and applicants need a basic plan, funds for initial support and a passport valid for the stay.
How long does a student visa take to process?
D-2 and D-4 visas issued through a visa issuance confirmation number usually take five to ten working days at the London embassy. Applicants should begin the process several weeks before the Korean term to allow for document gathering and any additional checks.
Can I work in Korea on a tourist visa or K-ETA?
No. Tourist visas and K-ETA do not permit employment of any kind. Paid work in Korea requires an appropriate E series employment visa secured through a Korean sponsor.
How We Verified This
Details in this article were cross-checked against the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UK, the Korean Ministry of Justice immigration portal, GOV.UK travel advice for South Korea, and the K-ETA official portal. Working holiday and employment information reflects current bilateral arrangements.
Sources
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea London: overseas.mofa.go.kr/gb-en
- K-ETA portal: k-eta.go.kr
- GOV.UK South Korea travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-korea
