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Complete guide to the 2026 Korea K-STA 10-year multiple-entry visa covering eligibility, required documents, application process, fees, and key considerations.
2026 South Korea K-STA 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visa: Application Guide & FAQ
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What Is the K-STA Visa?
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The Korean K-STA (Korean Short-Term Aggregated Visa) is a long-term multiple-entry visa for frequent Korea visitors. Eligible applicants receive up to 10-year validity with maximum 90-day stays per visit. The 2025 approval rate was approximately 73.6%, up from 54.2% in 2023.
Eligibility (Meet Any One)
- Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen household registration (or 3+ years social security): ID + household registration, no asset proof needed
- Korea visit history: 2+ entries in past 5 years (Jeju visa-free doesn’t count)
- OECD country visa holder: Valid visa from US, Canada, Australia, Japan, UK, or other 34 OECD nations
- Annual income: Beijing/Shanghai ≥ RMB 180,000; other cities ≥ RMB 120,000
- Bachelor’s degree+: Ministry of Education verified full-time bachelor’s
2025 update: Deposit proof simplified from “3-month freeze” to “current balance sufficient” — balance must cover round-trip flights + hotel x days of stay.
Application Process: Six Steps
Step 1: Online Appointment
Register at visa.go.kr, select “10-year multiple-entry visa.” Beijing releases ~800 daily slots; Tuesday/Thursday 10 AM releases have highest availability.
Step 2: Prepare Documents
| Document | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Valid 6+ months, 2+ blank pages | Include old passport Korean visa pages |
| Photos | White background, 35mm x 45mm, 2 copies | Within 6 months, no colored contacts |
| ID card | Original + copy (front/back on one A4) | |
| Household registration | Original + full copy set | Including change pages |
| Financial proof | Bank statements/deposit cert/tax receipts | Choose 1, meeting income requirements |
| Employment certificate | Company letterhead + stamp | Position, start date, salary |
Step 3: Submit in Person
Must submit personally (no proxies since 2025). Beijing: 2 Xiagongzhuang Street, Chaoyang District. Office hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00, lunch 12:00-13:00.
Step 4: Pay Fees
- 10-year multiple entry: RMB 630
- Express (3 business days): +RMB 200
- Mail delivery: RMB 35 (optional)
- Payment: debit card or cash only (no credit cards)
Step 5: Wait (5-7 Business Days)
Chinese New Year submissions may take up to 12 business days.
Step 6: Collect Passport
In-person with ID, or delegate pickup (+RMB 50), or mail delivery (+RMB 35).
K-STA vs C-3-9 vs Single Entry Comparison
| Item | K-STA 10-Year | C-3-9 5-Year | Single Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | 10 years | 5 years | 3 months |
| Max stay | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Processing | 5-7 business days | 5-7 business days | 3-5 business days |
| Fee | RMB 630 | RMB 420 | RMB 280 |
| Difficulty | Higher | Medium | Lower |
With 2+ Korea visits in 5 years, K-STA approval rates are significantly higher and far more cost-effective than renewing single-entry visas annually (RMB 280 x 10 years = RMB 2,800).
FAQ
Q: Can I work with a K-STA visa? A: No. K-STA is a short-term visit visa (C-class), prohibiting any paid work. Violators face deportation.
Q: Old passport expired but visa still valid? A: Korea permits dual passport use — show old passport (visa page) + new passport + ticket at entry.
Q: Refused — when can I reapply? A: Generally wait 6 months. If refused for insufficient finances, you can appeal with supplementary documents (free) or wait for conditions to improve.
Q: Can children apply with parents’ 10-year visa? A: Minor children can apply as dependents with notarized birth certificate + parental consent. Independent applications require age 18+ with independent financial qualification.
After visa approval, lock in value flights through Aviasales — multi-airline Beijing/Shanghai to Seoul real-time fares, some dates from RMB 1,200 round-trip including tax.
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