Do I need a visa to come to Korea?

Holders of British citizen passports can normally visit the Republic of Korea for up to 3 months without a visa. If you are coming for any other purpose, you should consult the nearest Korean Embassy or the Immigration Department of the Korean Ministry of Justice before coming to Korea. The Immigration Department of the Korean Ministry of Justice can be contacted at:
Seoul Immigration Bureau

Ministry of Justice
319-2 Sinjeong 6-dong
Yangcheon-ku
Seoul
Republic of Korea
Tel: (82) (2) 650 6225
Fax: (82) (2) 650 6292
Website : http://www.moj.go.kr

The Immigration Bureau has offices throughout Korea. Location maps are available on the website, www.moj.go.kr

The Korean Embassy in London can be contacted at :

Embassy of the Republic of Korea
60 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6AJ
Tel : ++(44) 0207 227 5500
Fax : ++(44) 0207 227 5503 

Do I need a visa to work in Korea? 

If you intend to take employment in the Republic of Korea, you should consult the nearest Korean Embassy or the Immigration Department of the Korean Ministry of Justice about the correct procedures for obtaining a visa. It is advisable to seek guidance in advance of coming to Korea.

Are there opportunities to teach english in Korea?

For detailed guidance, please click here.

Can I extend or add pages to my passport? 

It is not possible to extend or add pages to passports. Passports that are full need to be renewed. If you have valid visas in your old passport then you should carry both your old and replacement passports when traveling. Please click here for more information. 

Can I take my pet to the United Kingdom? 

For full details of the United Kingdom quarantine rules and procedures and the Pet Passport Scheme, please  visit defra website Or contact the PETS helpline on Pet Travel Scheme Helpline: Tel +44 (0)870 241 1710 (Monday to Friday - 8am to 6pm UK time).
Fax  ++ 20 7904 6834 for fact sheets and information. Or email to defra Helpline. 

For Korean quarantine rules and procedures, please visit National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service in Korea.
Tel : +82 (0)32 740 2662 (Inchon Int'l Airport-Animal Quarantine)
Fax : +82 (0)32 740 2669 (Inchon Int'l Airport-Animal Quarantine)
Fax : +82 (0)31 467 1717 (National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service 

Can I drive in Korea with my UK driver's license?

Foreign nationals in Korea cannot exchange their domestic license into a Korean license unless they are normally resident in Korea. On exchange, you should apply by attending your local Driving Licence Examination Agency.  Click here to download related document for Driving in Korea. 

Do I require a visa for...? 

We are normally unable to answer any visa inquiries on behalf of another country. Please consult the nearest diplomatic mission of the country you intend to visit.
The British Embassy in Seoul does however issue visas for some Commonwealth countries that are not represented here in Korea. Please consult the Entry Clearance(Visa) Section of the British Embassy for information on those countries we represent.

Is it safe to travel to...? 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers travel safety information for a large number of countries. Please click here for further information.

My mother, father, grand mother /father was born in the United Kingdom. Can I claim British Citizenship in the United Kingdom?

All claims to British citizenship or United Kingdom ancestry are decided on their own merits. Original documentary evidence to substantiate entitlement will be required. For full information about British Nationality, please click here or contact the Consular Section if you believe you have a bona fide claim.

I am planning to travel to .... and my passport is only valid for * months. Will this be a problem?

Some countries require a passport to be valid for a minimum period (normally 6 months). Please consult the nearest diplomatic mission of the country you intend to visit.

Can I get free legal advice if I am in an employment dispute? 

• The Korea Legal Aid Corp (KLAC) on Tel: 132.
  Non-Korean speakers are advised that enquirer by phone may not be dealt with by an English speaker.
  Those wishing to use this serivce can send a fax, written in English, to (02) 596-1321.
• A voluntary organisation has set up the Foreign Workers Legal Clinic. Its details are:
  Tel: 02 508 1745
  Fax: 02 565 2839
  Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00
  Saturday 09:00 - 13:00
  * Please note that English speaking counsellors may not always be available and you may need to arrange a time when one can speak to you.
• A personal counselling service is also available on Sundays from 14:00 - 16:00 at:
  HansomangChurch
  Namhyun-dong
  Kwanak-ku
  Tel: 02 586 9113

If I work in Korea, do I have to pay tax?

For questions related to taxation whilst in Korea, visit the National Tax Service's website    

If I work in Korea, do I have to contribute to the National Pension(Social Security) Scheme?

For questions related to pension matters(social security) whilst in Korea, visit the National Pension Corporation's website. No reciprocal agreement exist between both Korea and the United Kingdom.

If I work in Korea, do I have to contribute to the National Health Insurance Scheme?

For questions related to the national health scheme whilst in Korea, visit the National Health Insurance Corporation's website. 

If I need a police certificate (criminal record check) during my stay in Korea. How can I apply for?

The police certificate (Criminal Record Check) is available from the local police authority where you live or you used to live in Korea. You can only make the request directly at the local police authoriy in Korea, or at Korean Embassies overseas. For more details, you should contact their local police authority, or nearest Korean Embassy.