Determine the nature of your travel. If it's for tourism or business and up to 90 days you will not need a visa. If it's for longer than 90 days and/or for employment or profit-making purposes you'll need to apply for a visa from the South Korean embassy.
Assemble the necessary documents. Everyone who requires a visa will need to submit a valid U.S. passport, a completed visa application downloadable online (see resource 1), a passport-size photo and a $45 fee. Depending on the nature of your travel other documentation may also be required (see resource 1).
Contact the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. to determine to which consulate you should mail your application packet.
Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
2320 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 939-5660
Contact the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations in New York to ask whether your application for a visa will be approved.
The Permanent Representative of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 972-3105
Fax: (212) 972-3154
Contact The Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Beijing who will seek permission to grant the visa from the North Korean Foreign Ministry in Pyongyang.
The Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Beijing
No. 11, Ri Tan Bei Lu,
Jian Guo Men Wai,
Chaoyang District
Beijing, China 100600
Contact the North Korean Embassy in Beijing to confirm you will be issued a visa. Do this before departing for China.
Visa Office of the North Korean Embassy in Beijing
(86 -10) 6532 6639
(86-10) 6532-1186
(86-10) 6532-1189
