A business trip: check what you will actually do
Calling a trip “business” is not enough to choose an entry route. Meetings, negotiations, hands-on work and paid services may be treated differently.
By Seemile · Sources checked
Write a precise activity list
- List meetings, site visits, training and any services you will deliver.
- Note who employs and pays you, where the activity happens and how long the visit lasts.
- Check that list against the Korea Visa Portal and the Korean mission’s current instructions.
Do not rely on a convenient label
- Do not assume a tourist or visa-free entry route covers every commercial activity.
- Ask specifically about work you will perform rather than only whether business visits are allowed.
- Get the correct advice before accepting a task that changes the purpose of the trip.
Keep the host involved
- Ask the Korean host for accurate visit dates and activity details.
- Check which invitation or supporting documents your route requires.
- Keep the host contact and meeting address available for the journey.
A little Korean goes a long way
- 방문 목적은 업무 미팅입니다. — The purpose of my visit is business meetings.
- 방문 일정표가 필요해요. — I need the visit itinerary.
Official information
- Korea Visa Portal · Visa Navigator — Ministry of Justice
- My Seoul+ · Visa basics — Seoul Metropolitan Government
- HiKorea · Immigration services — Ministry of Justice
Keep going
Plan a Seoul business day with room between meetings
A calendar full of station names can look manageable until you add transfers, exits and building security. Plan door to door.
Stay connected without making the hotel Wi-Fi your plan
Sort out the phone connection you need before the first meeting. Your work device, company security rules and local services may need different arrangements.
A few Korean phrases for a business meeting
You do not need a long speech. A clear greeting, a polite request to repeat something and a confirmed next step will carry you through many short exchanges.
Receipts and expenses: keep the record while it is fresh
The easiest time to fix a receipt is before leaving the counter. Your employer’s reimbursement policy determines what you need, so check it before the trip.