South Korea Visa RequirementsFor Myanmar passport holders
Myanmar citizens must obtain a visitor visa before traveling to South Korea, applied for at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Yangon. Biometric enrollment is handled at VFS Global Yangon. The visa fee is $50 and processing takes 5 to 7 business days. K-ETA does not apply to Myanmar passport holders. There are no direct flights from Yangon to Seoul.
Myanmar passport holders require a visa to enter South Korea.
Apply at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Yangon (97 University Avenue Road, Kamayut Township) or through the VFS Global visa application centre in Yangon, which handles biometric enrollment. Start your application online at visa.mofa.go.kr and print the completed form to submit in person. Required documents: completed application form, one recent passport-sized photo, valid passport with at least 6 months validity, bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing sufficient funds, employment certificate with leave approval from your employer, income tax records or pay slips, confirmed round-trip flight booking, hotel reservations for the full stay, and a detailed itinerary. Visa fee: $50 USD (paid at VFS). Processing: 5 to 7 business days. Biometric data (fingerprints and photo) is collected at VFS Global Yangon.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Completed online visa application form (visa.mofa.go.kr)
Passport with at least 6 months validity
One recent passport-sized photo
Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months
Employment certificate with leave approval from employer
Income tax records or recent pay slips
Confirmed round-trip flight booking
Hotel reservations for the full stay
Biometric enrollment at VFS Global Yangon
Current Travel Situation
Myanmar to South Korea: What You Need to Know
South Korea called for a return to democracy in Myanmar after the 2021 coup and suspended some development cooperation programs, but has maintained its embassy in Yangon and continues to process visas. Myanmar citizens require a full visitor visa for South Korea; the K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) is only available to nationalities that already have visa-free access, which does not include Myanmar. Interest in South Korea among young Myanmar people has grown significantly, driven by K-drama, K-pop, and Korean food culture, leading to a noticeable increase in visa applications.
How to Get There
No direct flights operate between Myanmar and South Korea. The most common routes: Yangon (RGN) to Bangkok (BKK) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) on Thai Airways, Korean Air, or Asiana Airlines; or Yangon to Singapore (SIN) to Seoul on Singapore Airlines or Korean Air. Some travelers connect via Guangzhou (CAN) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Total journey time is approximately 8 to 12 hours. Korean Air and Asiana operate frequent Bangkok-Seoul and Singapore-Seoul routes with good connections.
Money & Banking
South Korea uses the Korean Won (KRW). Korea is increasingly cashless: T-money cards (for buses and subway) are loaded at convenience stores, and most restaurants and shops accept credit cards. International ATMs at GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven convenience stores reliably accept Visa and Mastercard. Exchange USD or SGD to KRW at Incheon Airport money changers, which offer competitive rates. Kakao Pay and Samsung Pay dominate mobile payments but require a Korean bank account for most functions. Namdaemun Market and traditional markets are cash-preferred.
Practical Tips
Use Naver Maps (not Google Maps) for accurate transit directions in Korea, as Google Maps transit data is limited in South Korea. The Seoul subway system is extensive and one of the cleanest in the world. T-money transit cards work on buses and subways across most of the country. Korea has four distinct seasons: summers can be hot and humid, winters are cold and dry. Learn a few Korean phrases; English is widely spoken in tourist areas of Seoul but less so in smaller cities. Korean Air occasionally offers transit visa exemptions for eligible nationalities on certain routes, but Myanmar passport holders should verify eligibility before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Myanmar citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Yes. Myanmar citizens require a visitor visa to enter South Korea. K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) is only available for nationalities with existing visa-free access to Korea, which does not include Myanmar. A full visa application must be submitted in person at the Korean Embassy or VFS Global Yangon.
Where do I submit my South Korea visa application in Myanmar?
You apply online at visa.mofa.go.kr, then submit the printed form and documents in person at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Yangon. Biometric data (fingerprints and photo) is collected at VFS during this appointment.
Is Korea a good destination for Myanmar citizens interested in K-culture?
South Korea is a popular destination for Myanmar fans of K-drama, K-pop, and Korean cuisine. While getting a visa requires financial documentation and planning, the experience is well worth it. Seoul has excellent public transport, world-class food markets, and dedicated K-drama film location tours. Many tourist sites offer multilingual signage including English.