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Welcome to the U.S. Embassy Seoul's Consular Section!

Services for Americans  /   Immigrant Visas ("Green Cards")

Nonimmigrant Visas for Koreans Traveling to the U.S.

Contact Us by Mail  /   Contact Us by FAX / Contact Us by e-mail

Map to the Embassy



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The US Department of State's Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy Seoul is divided into four branches: Nonimmigrant Visas (NIV), Immigrant Visas (IV), American Citizen Services (ACS) and Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU).




American Citizen Services (ACS) handles passports, absentee voting, reports of the birth, death or arrests of Americans plus provides information on certain federal benefits on behalf of agencies other than the Department of State.

ACS is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 -11:30 a.m., and again 1:30-3:30 p.m. ACS is closed on Wednesdays and on both U.S. and Korean holidays.

ACS maintains a list of the most recent security information for American citizens living in Korea.

Americans residing in Korea should register with ACS. So we can be aware of the number and location of American citizens in the event of an emergency. You will also be provided with up-to-date information by registering with the Embassy.

Also start in this section if you are an American marrying in Korea, or have just had a child in Korea and wish to apply for the child's first U.S. passport. You can also find links and addresses that will help you learn more about living in Korea. There is also advice about accepting an English teaching job in Korea.

Looking for information on how to best help a Korean friend or colleague obtain a visa?







Nonimmigrant Visas (NIV) are for non-American citizens and non Legal Permanent Residents who want to visit, tour, study or do business in the U.S.

arrownew Korean Language On-line U.S. Visa Application Available. more

If you are an American seeking information about a visa for yourself to stay in Korea, start with ACS. Follow this link for information to learn how your Korean spouse can qualify as an immigrant in the U.S.





Immigrant Visa (IV) allow spouses and other immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens, as well as other qualified persons, to live permanently in the U.S. Start here if you have questions about Green Cards, or petitioning for relatives to live permanently in the United States. This section also has information on adopting children in Korea.

"Immigration" has its own vocabulary; a glossary is available to help you get started.

If you are looking for a form that begins with "I" (such as I-130 or I-539), these forms come from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (BCIS) and you may download or order those forms via mail from the BCIS forms page.)






How to Contact Us by Mail

Our address in Korea (international postage needed from outside Korea; transit time from the U.S. is about one week):

U.S. Embassy
Consular Section
32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-710, Rep. of Korea


Our APO address (U.S. domestic postage needed, even from outside of Korea; transit time from the U.S. is about ten days):

U.S. Embassy Seoul
Consular Section
APO AP 96205-5550 USA




How to Contact Us by FAX

From outside of Korea the country code is 82, and the city code for Seoul is 2. From within Korea, please use area code 02.


blue square   American Citizen Services FAX:

FAX : 82-2-397-4101
DSN FAX : 721-4101



blue square  Immigrant Visas FAX: (including K and V visas)

FAX : 82-2-397-4501
DSN FAX : 721-4501


blue square  Nonimmigrant Visas FAX:

FAX : 82-2-725-6843 (all inquiries except for E, H, L, O, P, and Q visas)
FAX : 82-2-736-6839 ( E, H, L, O, P, and Q visas only)
DSN FAX : 721-4214




How to Contact Us by E-mail


blue square   American Citizen Services:

E-mail inquiries at: seoul_acs@state.gov



blue square  Immigrant Visas : (including K and V visas)

E-mail inquiries at: seouliv@state.gov


blue square  Nonimmigrant Visas:

E-mail inquiries at: seoulniv@state.gov (all inquiries except for E, H, L, O, P, and Q visa visas)

E-mail inquiries at: seoulgoldteam@state.gov (E, H, L, O, P and Q visas)


Please allow three to five working days for a reply. Please do not send your inquiry as an attachment. Approximately 10% of our replies come back to us as "undeliverable." If you do not hear from us within five working days, please send us a fax or e-mail us from a different e-mail account. We have the most difficulty getting replies through to Lycos and Nate e-mail accounts. In accordance with the Privacy Act, our responses to inquiries will be of a general nature.




friendly advice
Please keep in mind that your signature on any visa application form is your guarantee all information you or anyone else prepares or provides in connection with any visa application is true and correct. You are personally and legally responsible, even if a travel agent or someone else prepares documents for you. Any fraudulent documents or misleading statements may result in your permanent ineligibility for any future visa.

Information on this and other official U.S. government websites will guide you in your visa application process. Misusing or trying to enter the U.S. for a purpose other than that allowed by your visa can result in you being barred from the U.S., returned to your home country and having your travel significantly, if not permanently, disrupted. Please be aware of the limits placed upon each visa classification.



best sources of information
Some agencies, visa brokers and others will advise applicants on the visa process, complete the application or prepare supporting documents. Please be sure that all information and documents are true and correct. It is frustrating to hear that sometimes such advisors tell applicants, before they even apply for a visa, that they are unqualified.

Please visit the following websites for accurate, up-to-date information: www.uscis.gov, www.unitedstatesvisas.gov and www.asktheconsul.org. You may also call our toll number, 060-700-2510, for further information on a wide variety of visa topics. Our goal is to provide necessary information to all applicants in order to make the best decision possible on each visa application.



security advice
Please do not bring electronic devices (radios, recorders, handphones, computers, PDAs, cameras, walkmans, etc.), liquid containers, spray devices, suitcases, knives, sharp objects and any dangerous items with you when you come to the U.S. Embassy. You and your effects will be screened at the entrance. These prohibited items are not allowed entry. There are storage lockers in the Gwangwhamun subway station near exit 2. Visitors to the U.S. Embassy assume full responsibility for their personal items brought into the building. Please do not bring valuables or items prohibited for entry. Bringing such items will delay your entry and may cause you to miss your appointment.



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For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please go to USA VISA Information Services at http://www.us-visaservices.com. USA VISA Information Services is available 24 hours a day, and can be accessed from both inside and outside of Korea.


For nonimmigrant visa (NIV) inquiries (excluding E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries), please e-mail us at : seoulniv@state.gov. For E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries, please e-mail us at : seoulgoldteam@state.gov.

The applicant, not the U.S. Government, assumes full responsibility for all documents and materials submitted in connection with any consular or visa matter, and for ualifying for the required visa or travel document in time to meet the applicant's needs.

This is an official U.S. Government source of information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.





Updated April 28, 2004

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