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South Korea

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
66,593
Top destination, 2023
Japan
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
65,755
UK visas issued, 2025
6,846
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
10.9%
NationalityKRISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<KRSOUTH<KOREA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
KR1<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of South Korea need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomNo visa; electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaNo visa; electronic travel authorization (eTA) needed to flyIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from South Korea move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Japan27,566
  2. United States14,240
  3. Germany6,599
  4. Canada5,205
  5. Australia2,740
  6. Hungary2,535
  7. New Zealand2,061
  8. Netherlands1,447
  9. Mexico579
  10. Austria490
  11. Czechia482
  12. Türkiye462
  13. France431
  14. Switzerland338
  15. Italy323

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

41k82k200020032006200920122015201820212023
41k82k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200054,162
200169,107
200267,414
200355,677
200459,751
200568,372
200670,849
200773,288
200882,236
200976,431
201073,466
201168,744
201271,058
201375,117
201470,782
201565,797
201673,064
201773,631
201876,956
201981,245
202042,816
202137,994
202262,811
202366,593
Share going to the top destination
41.4%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in South Korea who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. United States1,083,174
  2. Japan393,944
  3. Canada151,409
  4. Australia114,174
  5. China65,073
  6. Vietnam48,707
  7. New Zealand31,878
  8. Thailand16,518
  9. Sweden12,163
  10. Brazil9,395
  11. Mexico9,104
  12. Denmark8,936

Living abroad by year

1.08M2.16M19901995200020052010201520202024
1.08M2.16M19902000201020202024
Data table
19901,744,465
19951,812,749
20001,897,540
20052,001,950
20102,164,782
20152,162,256
20202,038,995
20242,030,473
Living abroad, 2024
2,030,473
Change since 2000
+7.0%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
53.3%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of South Korea by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B212,206
  2. F111,861
  3. J17,985
  4. E25,359
  5. C1/D5,328
  6. L23,529
  7. A23,276
  8. J23,180
  9. L13,009
  10. H1B2,329

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

38k75k201720182019202020212022202320242025
38k75k20172019202120232025
Data table
201749,367
201874,986
201975,413
202037,575
202143,567
202259,612
202370,086
202474,859
202565,755
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. I51,168
  2. E2925
  3. IR1497
  4. IR5488
  5. CR1285
  6. E3263
  7. EW238
  8. F4136
Immigrant visas, FY2025
4,570
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
2,067
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in South Korea who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of South Korea with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

11k22k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
11k22k201520172019202120232024
Data table
201517,140
201621,800
201719,190
201817,680
201918,480
202016,240
202112,350
202216,170
202315,770
202415,100
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Employment-based preferences8,500
  2. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens6,120
  3. Family-sponsored preferences400
  4. Other classes70
  5. Diversity visa lottery10
  6. Refugees and asylees10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Intracompany transferees (L-1)21,160
  2. Spouses and children17,210
  3. Specialty occupations (H-1B)8,310
  4. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)3,220
  5. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)2,200
  6. Other temporary workers1,900
  7. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)70
Green cards, FY2024 (born in South Korea)
15,100
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in South Korea)
12,760
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
1,962,790
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of South Korea (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in South Korea (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Study3,930
  2. Work2,458
  3. Other195
  4. Visitor152
  5. Family111

Visas issued by year

4,5629,123201020122014201620182020202220242025
4,5629,123201020132016201920222025
Data table
20109,056
20118,475
20128,304
20139,123
20148,713
20158,564
20168,354
20178,530
20188,129
20198,085
20204,443
20216,620
20226,662
20236,710
20247,335
20256,846
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
5,115
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of South Korea, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
202598511,2709,2552,425230
20241,70013,5108,7604,370545
20232,40010,77510,9855,205705
20222,2257,47512,1005,465430
20211,9857,20011,2058,2402,605
20202,2106,04011,8803,2901,320
20192,6259,83017,9606,1101,080
20182,0158,67018,0504,8001,010
20171,95510,64018,0553,970975
20161,4409,06517,3054,010655
20158157,82015,8854,105530
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of South Korea, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

7281,4562005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
7281,4562005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–06612
2006–07549
2007–08616
2008–09489
2009–10364
2010–11522
2011–12901
2012–131,456
2013–141,031
2014–151,041
2015–16887
2016–171,139
2017–18813
2018–19841
2019–20470
2020–21587
2021–22717
2022–23963
2023–24833
2024–251,377
2025–261,275
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills865
  2. Specialist Skills226
  3. Medium-term82
  4. Labour Agreement56
  5. Short-term46
Granted, 2025–26
1,275
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
1.8%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of South Korea living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

229k458k20152017201920232025
229k458k20152017201920232025
Data table
2015457,772
2016453,096
2017450,663
2018449,634
2019446,364
2022411,312
2023410,156
2024409,238
2025407,341
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Special Permanent Resident241,712
  2. Permanent Resident77,013
  3. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services28,457
  4. Student14,523
  5. Spouse or Child of Japanese National12,118
  6. Dependent8,646
  7. Long-Term Resident7,183
  8. Designated Activities6,231
  9. Business Manager2,728
  10. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident2,123
Residents, December 2025
407,341
In work-related statuses
37,609
Share in work-related statuses
9.2%
Students
14,523
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in South Korea

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in South Korea, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
France7075998812.4%
Germany706627679.5%
Italy578560183.1%
Spain5054215911.7%
Netherlands445386419.2%
Switzerland3492935515.8%
Austria2191764219.2%
Belgium192169189.4%
Hungary113922118.6%
Greece1049832.9%
Poland877989.2%
Finland76581925.0%
Portugal686522.9%
Czechia5849915.5%
Sweden3946512.8%

Applications by year

2,3574,7132009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,3574,713200920122015201820212024
Data table
20091,559
20102,043
20111,877
20121,683
20131,996
20142,407
20152,928
20163,157
20173,579
20184,073
20194,713
2020924
2021565
20222,629
20233,818
20244,362
Refusal rate, 2024
10.9%
Refusal rate, 2019
13.7%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of South Korea in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education8,933
  2. Work5,705
  3. Family3,718
  4. Other reasons1,392
First permits by country
  1. Germany5,060
  2. France2,805
  3. Hungary2,225
  4. Poland1,698
  5. Netherlands1,588
  6. Czechia878
  7. Spain748
  8. Ireland632
  9. Switzerland604
  10. Italy536
  11. Sweden450
  12. Denmark383
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card728
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)1,371
  3. Researchers386
  4. Other paid activities3,220
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
850
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
408
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
10,758
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
60
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
85,446
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
2,893
Changed status into work, 2025
863
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
756
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
10
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of South Korea in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20253781172372103
Sweden20251994933105012
Netherlands20251,4402058352900110
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025906228
Austria2025557568-11
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark117
  2. Sweden49
  3. Netherlands205
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of South Korea living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Permanent residence title13,280
  2. Family reasons7,120
  3. Employment6,180
  4. Education and training5,945
  5. Application for a residence title pending5,470
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted2,920
  7. Special residence rights and national visas550
  8. EU free movement285
  9. International law, humanitarian or political reasons60
  10. Tolerated stay (Duldung)10
  11. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure5

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

21k42k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
21k42k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201428,463
201530,243
201632,215
201734,420
201836,230
201938,165
202036,325
202136,720
202238,545
202340,070
202441,045
202541,845
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
41,850
With a residence title for employment
6,180
Permanent residence title
13,280
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in South Korea

Countries with an embassy or consulate in South Korea, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan1——
Algeria1——
Angola1——
Argentina1——
Australia1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Bangladesh1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1—1
Bolivia1——
Brazil1——
Brunei1——
Bulgaria1——
Cambodia1——
Canada1——
Chile1——
China13—
Colombia1——
Costa Rica1——
Croatia1——
Cuba1——
Czechia1——
Côte d’Ivoire1——
DR Congo1——
Dominican Republic1——
Ecuador1——
Egypt1——
El Salvador1——
Estonia1——
Ethiopia1——
Fiji1——
Finland1——
France1——
Gabon1——
Georgia1——
Germany1——
Ghana1——
Greece1——
Guatemala1——
Honduras1——
Hungary1——
India11—
Indonesia1——
Iran1——
Iraq1——
Ireland1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Japan12—
Jordan1——
Kazakhstan1——
Kenya1——
Kuwait1——
Kyrgyzstan1——
Laos1——
Latvia1——
Lebanon1——
Libya1——
Lithuania1——
Luxembourg1——
Malaysia1——
Marshall Islands1——
Mexico1——
Mongolia1——
Morocco1——
Myanmar1——
Nepal1——
Netherlands1——
New Zealand1——
Nicaragua1——
Nigeria1——
Norway1——
Oman1——
Pakistan1——
Palestine1——
Panama1——
Papua New Guinea1——
Paraguay1——
Peru1——
Philippines1——
Poland1——
Portugal1——
Qatar1——
Romania1——
Russia11—
Rwanda1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Senegal1——
Serbia1——
Sierra Leone1——
Singapore1——
Slovakia1——
Slovenia1—1
South Africa1——
Spain1——
Sri Lanka1——
Sudan1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Taiwan1——
Tajikistan1——
Tanzania1——
Thailand1——
Timor-Leste1——
Tunisia1——
Turkmenistan1——
Türkiye1——
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
United States——1
Uruguay1——
Uzbekistan1——
Venezuela1——
Vietnam1——
Zambia1——
Countries
117
Missions
126
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by South Korea, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

3,9317,8612000200320062009201220152018202120242025
3,9317,861200020052010201520202025
Data table
20004,524
20014,516
20025,135
20035,875
20045,935
20055,200
20064,850
20075,155
20086,978
20096,000
20105,854
20116,602
20126,589
20136,475
20146,574
20156,464
20166,524
20176,526
20187,125
20197,166
20207,508
20217,789
20227,861
20237,106
20247,283
20257,071
Remittances received, 2025
US$7,071 million
Share of GDP, 2025
0.4%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from South Korea

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • South Korea → Japan
  • South Korea → United States
  • South Korea → Germany
  • South Korea → Canada
  • South Korea → Australia
  • South Korea → Hungary
  • South Korea → New Zealand
  • South Korea → Netherlands
  • South Korea → Czechia
  • South Korea → France
  • South Korea → Switzerland
  • South Korea → Italy
  • South Korea → Spain
  • South Korea → Poland
  • South Korea → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more