Korea and India: A Growing Partnership
India and South Korea have one of Asia's most significant bilateral economic relationships. Korea is among India's top 10 investors, with Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia all having large Indian operations — and Korean companies increasingly hiring Indian engineers and IT professionals to work in Korea itself. At the same time, a growing number of Indian students are choosing Korean universities, attracted by strong engineering programs and Korea's reputation as a global tech hub.
This guide covers every realistic visa pathway for Indian citizens — from short visits to permanent residency.
Visiting Korea: Tourist Visa Required
Unlike US, UK, or EU citizens, Indian nationals require a visa to visit Korea for any purpose, including tourism. There is no visa-free arrangement and no K-ETA option for Indians. Apply for a C-3 (Short-Term General) visa at:
- Korean Embassy in New Delhi
- Korean Consulate in Mumbai
- Korean Consulate in Chennai
- Korean Consulate in Kolkata
C-3 tourist visa: typically issued within 3–5 business days. Fee: ~₹3,000. Validity: single or multiple entry, up to 90 days per visit. You'll need: passport, application form, bank statement, travel itinerary, hotel booking.
Working in Korea as an Indian National
E-7: Skilled Worker (Most Common Long-Term Pathway)
Indian IT engineers, software developers, semiconductor specialists, data scientists, and management professionals are the primary group Korea seeks from India. The E-7 is the standard route. Requirements: employer sponsorship from a Korean company, bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field, salary at or above the occupation minimum.
In-demand sectors for Indian professionals in Korea:
- Semiconductor and chip design (Samsung, SK Hynix)
- Software engineering (Kakao, Naver, LG CNS, SK C&C)
- AI/ML research
- Automotive software (Hyundai, Kia, Mando)
- Pharmaceutical R&D
E-9: Non-Professional Employment (EPS) — New for India
India was officially added to Korea's Employment Permit System (EPS) in late 2023 — a major development. The EPS allows Indian workers to take non-professional employment in Korea in sectors including manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and fishing.
To qualify for E-9, Indian applicants must:
- Pass the EPS-TOPIK (Korean language test for EPS applicants), administered in India through official EPS centers
- Register on the EPS HRD Korea portal and wait for employer matching
- Be selected by a Korean employer from the EPS roster
E-9 contracts are for 3 years (renewable once to 4 years 10 months). After the maximum E-9 stay, workers must return to India before re-qualifying.
E-7-4: Skilled Worker Transition from E-9
2026 update: the E-7-4 quota reached an all-time high of 33,000 positions for 2026, and the eligibility window was eased — you now need 4+ years on E-9 (down from 5) within the last 10, a positive performance rating from your employer, and basic Korean ability to qualify for transition. This remains a major pathway for Indian manufacturing workers seeking long-term residence in Korea, though Korea's overall E-9 EPS quota was cut to 80,000 for 2026 (down from 130,000 in 2025) — competition for the initial E-9 slot itself has increased.
Studying in Korea as an Indian
Indian students use the D-2 visa for degree programs. Key options:
- GKS (Global Korea Scholarship / 정부초청 외국인 장학생): Full scholarship for Indian master's and doctoral students — tuition, living stipend, Korean language training, and airfare. Highly competitive; apply through the Korean Embassy in New Delhi by the annual deadline (typically March). Korea has increased GKS slots for India significantly since 2022.
- KAIST, POSTECH, GIST: These science and engineering universities fully fund most international graduate students (tuition waiver + ₩900,000–₩1,200,000/month stipend). English-medium programs available. Strong semiconductor, AI, and materials science programs that align with Indian engineers' backgrounds.
- Korean language schools (D-4): Many Indian students come to Korea for 6–12 months of Korean language study before entering degree programs. Required for Korean-medium programs.
After Getting a Job: E-7 to Long-Term Residency
Indian professionals on E-7 follow the standard long-term residency ladder:
- F-2-7 (Points-Based Residency) — available after 1+ year on E-7 with 80+ K-Points. A master's degree (23 pts) + age under 35 (14–18 pts) + TOPIK Level 3 (14 pts) + income ₩60M (18 pts) = 69–73 pts. TOPIK Level 4 pushes most Indian candidates over the 80-point threshold.
- F-5 Permanent Residency — after 3 years on F-2-7 (F-5-16) or 5 years total residence (F-5-1)
Korean Consulates in India: Which to Use
- New Delhi: All visa types including long-term work and study
- Mumbai: All visa types; often faster processing for Maharashtra, Gujarat residents
- Chennai: South India residents; E-9 EPS processing available
- Kolkata: East India residents
For E-7 applications, processing typically takes 4–6 weeks from any consulate. Bring all documents apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as Korea requires apostille for Indian documents.
Apostille for Korea: Indian Documents
India joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2005. MEA apostille is accepted by Korean immigration for degree certificates, transcripts, police clearance certificates (PCC), and birth certificates. Apply online at the MEA eApostille portal. Processing: 3–7 business days. Documents in languages other than English must also be translated by a certified translator.
Source: Korea Immigration Service, HRD Korea EPS Portal, Korean Embassy New Delhi | Last verified: September 2026
This article is for informational purposes only. Consult a verified immigration specialist for guidance on your specific situation.