What happened
The South Korean Justice Ministry has decided to extend a waiver of visa application fees for group tourists from six Asian countries through December 31, 2026. The exemption applies to citizens of Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The policy waives the $15 (23,000 won) visa fee, which was previously scheduled to expire at the end of June. The extension aims to support the recovery of inbound tourism, capitalizing on rising demand from these markets and improved diplomatic relations. Ministry data indicates that group tourist visas from China and Southeast Asia have been rising, with Chinese tourists increasing by 48 percent and Indian tourists more than doubling in 2025 compared to the previous year