United KingdomSouth Korea: Visa-free

United KingdomSouth Korea

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa for South Korea?

Visa-free

No. United Kingdom passport holders do not need a visa to visit South Korea for tourism.

No visa is required for a short tourist stay. Travel on a valid passport alone.

Source: overseas.mofa.go.kr (checked September 4, 2026).

RequirementVisa-free

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelNone, travel on your passport

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance8,860 km, straight line (~10h 55m nonstop)

Visa-free access to South Korea154 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? South Korea passport holders visiting United Kingdom: eTA.

South Korea drives on the right, the opposite side to United Kingdom. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Other visa-free destinations for United Kingdom passport holders

See all United Kingdom destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa for South Korea?

No. United Kingdom passport holders do not need a visa to visit South Korea for tourism.

How far is South Korea from United Kingdom?

About 8,860 km in a straight line, roughly ~10h 55m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in South Korea?

South Korean won (KRW).

What is the emergency number in South Korea?

112 / 113 / 119.

Does South Korea drive on the same side of the road as United Kingdom?

South Korea drives on the right, the opposite side to United Kingdom. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

What time zone is South Korea in?

Seoul (UTC+9).

What is the nearest airport to Seoul?

Seoul Gimpo International Airport (GMP), about 15 km away.

How many countries can enter South Korea without a visa?

154 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter South Korea visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 69 million in 2025. The UK includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and most of the smaller islands within the British Isles, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). It shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea, while maintaining sovereignty over the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. The capital and largest city of England and the UK is London; Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are the national capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

CapitalLondon

RegionNorthern Europe

Population69.5M

Area242,900 km²

CurrencyBritish pound (1 USD ≈ 0.75 GBP)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+44

Drives on theleft

TimezoneLondon (UTC+1)

Nearest airportLondon City Airport (LCY), 13 km

Emergency number112 / 999

UNESCO sites37

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$57,602 (2025)

Tourist arrivals11.1M (2020)

Climate in London

Warmest August, coolest December, driest May, sunniest May.

Monthly climate normals for London, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	9.4°C	3.8°C	59mm	127h
February	10.2°C	3.6°C	103mm	157h
March	10.8°C	3.1°C	45mm	229h
April	16.6°C	5.6°C	34mm	323h
May	19.1°C	7.8°C	5mm	397h
June	20.5°C	11.5°C	80mm	324h
July	21.7°C	12.9°C	47mm	320h
August	23.5°C	15.3°C	74mm	313h
September	20°C	11°C	25mm	266h
October	14.1°C	8.2°C	159mm	169h
November	12.4°C	5.9°C	48mm	141h
December	8.1°C	3°C	85mm	117h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy comprising most of the British Isles. It is a union of four constituent countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, each of which has something unique and exciting for visitors.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
Blenheim Palace
Buildings and architecture of Bath
Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church
Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
Derwent Valley Mills
Durham Castle and Cathedral
Flow Country
Forth Bridge

Upcoming public holidays

November 30, 2026Saint Andrew's Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 28, 2026Boxing Day

Full source list on About.

About South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It extends over the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and includes the adjacent islands. It borders North Korea to its north along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east.. It has a population of about 52 million, of which half live in the Seoul metropolitan area, the world's ninth most populous metropolitan area; its other major cities are Busan, Daegu, and Incheon.

CapitalSeoul

RegionEastern Asia

Population51.7M

Area100,210 km²

CurrencySouth Korean won (1 USD ≈ 1332.10 KRW)

LanguagesKorean

Calling code+82

Drives on theright

TimezoneSeoul (UTC+9)

Nearest airportSeoul Gimpo International Airport (GMP), 15 km

Emergency number112 / 113 / 119

UNESCO sites18

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$36,227 (2025)

Tourist arrivals2.5M (2020)

Climate in Seoul

Warmest August, coolest December, driest December, sunniest April.

Monthly climate normals for Seoul, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	4.9°C	-4°C	64mm	218h
February	6°C	-3.4°C	60mm	224h
March	11.3°C	-0.2°C	18mm	304h
April	15.6°C	4.1°C	24mm	319h
May	22°C	12°C	114mm	261h
June	27.4°C	18.1°C	140mm	275h
July	26.3°C	19.5°C	330mm	214h
August	28.4°C	23.1°C	548mm	218h
September	23.5°C	16.1°C	216mm	252h
October	17.9°C	7.6°C	12mm	279h
November	11.2°C	1.6°C	66mm	219h
December	2.5°C	-6°C	3mm	244h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. In the 2nd half of the 20th century, South Korea emerged from the shadows of its turbulent past and achieved impressive economic growth, making it one of the world's most affluent countries today. South Korean pop culture, especially K-pop, is incredibly popular worldwide, driving higher levels of tourism to this nation. Despite their modernity and love for high technology, Koreans also take great pride in their history and traditions, and there many well-preserved historical sites that can give history buffs a glimpse into the ancient past.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Baekje Historic Areas
Changdeokgung
Gaya Tumuli
Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
Gyeongju Historic Areas
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
Hwaseong Fortress
Janggyeon Panjeon of Haeinsa
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026크리스마스

January 1, 2027새해

February 6, 2027설날

Full source list on About.