In the previous post, we covered how to apply for a Korea tourist visa (C-3-9)
👉 Click here: [Korean Tourist Visa (C-3-9) Guide] How to VISIT Korea
In this post, I’ll explain how to check your visa approval status and what to watch out for during immigration inspection when entering Korea
How to Check Your Korea Tourist Visa (C-3-9) Approval
After applying for a Korea tourist visa, you can check the approval status online
Processing times vary by embassy, and in many cases, you won’t receive a separate notification, so it’s important to check the status yourself
In my case, I was told the processing time would take about 4 weeks, but even after 4 weeks, I didn’t hear back
When I contacted the embassy, they replied that applications were delayed due to a high volume of requests
As my departure date was approaching, I was getting worried — but three days before my flight, I finally received a call saying my visa had been approved
Luckily, everything worked out😊
You can check your visa status through the Korea Visa Portal
Steps to Check Your Visa Status
1. Visit the Korea Visa Portal
2. Go to Check Application Status – Check Application Status & Print
3. Enter: Type of applications, Passport number, Full name (as shown in passport), Date of birth
4. Click “Search”
If your visa is approved, you’ll be able to download the Visa Grant Notice
⚠️ Korea no longer issues visa stickers in passports.
👉 Make sure to print the Visa Grant Notice and carry it with you for immigration inspection.
Visa Validity vs. Period of Stay (Very Important)
There are two different time limits you must understand for the C-3-9 visa:
Visa Validity Period
→ You must enter Korea within this period.
Period of Stay
→ This is how long you’re allowed to stay after entering Korea.
At immigration, the officer will stamp your passport with the last permitted date of stay.
⚠️ Overstaying is illegal.
If you fail to leave by the specified date, you may be fined 100,000 KRW per day, so be very careful.
What to Expect at Korean Immigration (C-3-9 Visa)
At Korean immigration, officers may ask additional questions beyond your visa.
For tourist visas, they mainly check whether your travel purpose is genuine.
Common questions include:
What is the purpose of your visit to Korea?
Where will you be staying?
When are you planning to leave Korea?
Do you have friends or acquaintances in Korea?
👉 To prepare, it’s highly recommended to carry printed copies or digital files of:
Round-trip flight tickets, Accommodation reservations, Travel itinerary
👉 Since the C-3-9 visa is strictly for tourism purposes, make sure your answers clearly match that intent.
Final Thoughts
Applying for a Korea tourist visa is important, but preparing for visa approval and immigration inspection is just as crucial.
If you’ve already applied for a C-3-9 visa, use this post as a pre-entry checklist before traveling to Korea.
For details on how to apply for the Korea tourist visa, check out my previous post below:
![[Korean Tourist Visa (C-3-9) Guide] How to VISIT Korea](https://kojerians.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-2-150x150.png)