🇰🇷South Korea Passport
Explore where South Korea passport holders can live, work, and travel. 80 countries accessible without a traditional visa application.
Quick answer
A South Korea passport allows visa-free entry to 76 countries, visa-on-arrival access to 4 more, e-visa access to 11, and freedom of movement to 0 — total 80 countries accessible without a traditional visa application. South Korea ranks #9 of 95 passports globally (tier-1). Most countries require a separate work visa. 5 destinations offer digital nomad visas.
Key facts
- Visa-free: 76 countries direct entry without a visa application — the strongest mobility tier.
- Visa on arrival: 4 obtain a visa stamp at the border on landing; processed in minutes typically.
- eVisa: 11 online application before travel — usually issued in days, no embassy visit required.
- Freedom of movement: 0 live and work without a visa under a treaty (e.g., EU/EEA, ECOWAS, CARICOM, Schengen).
- Mobility rank: #9 of 95 tier-1; 5 digital nomad visa pathways · 76 residency-friendly destinations.
Rank #9 of 95 · tier-1
The South Korea passport ranks #9 of 95 in WhereNext's mobility index — a tier-1 mobility passport with 80 countries accessible without a prior visa application (76 visa-free, 4 visa-on-arrival, 0 via freedom-of-movement agreements). Similar-access peers include New Zealand (80) and Hong Kong (80). Compared with the median passport in our index, South Korea uniquely unlocks Japan, United Kingdom, United States without a traditional visa application.
Closest peers by access: New Zealand (80) · Hong Kong (80) · United Arab Emirates (81)
South Korea Passport: Travel & Relocation Access
South Korea passport holders can access 80 countries without a traditional visa application — 76 visa-free, 4 with visa on arrival, and 0 through freedom of movement agreements.
Digital nomad visas: 5 countries offer digital nomad or remote work visas accessible to South Korea passport holders, including Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Bulgaria, Slovenia.
Paths to residency: 76 countries offer residency pathways for South Korea citizens, including Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, and 71 more.
Related Resources
Common Questions
How many countries can I visit visa-free with a South Korea passport?▾
Can I work abroad with a South Korea passport?▾
Which countries offer digital nomad visas for South Korea citizens?▾
Where can I get residency with a South Korea passport?▾
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