Visa-Free Travel: Indonesian Tourists Can Visit South Korea in Groups of Three or More
Indonesia will receive visa-free access on a trial basis for tourist groups of three or more visiting South Korea. This policy is part of Seoul’s ambitious tourism strategy to attract 30 million foreign visitors.
The package of policies was launched on Wednesday (February 25) and includes easing visa regulations, increasing flight routes to regional airports, and taking firm action against unfair pricing practices in the tourism sector. “The series of policies was announced at the 11th National Tourism Strategy Meeting, led by President Lee Jae Myung, and attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, ministers from 15 government agencies, and representatives from the tourism industry,” according to The Korea Times.
Minister of Culture Chae Hwi-young said that the global resonance of Korean cultural exports represents a golden age for the domestic travel industry. He introduced an initiative called “K-Tourism Captivates the World” to capitalize on the post-pandemic recovery momentum.
In 2025, South Korea recorded more than 18 million foreign tourist visits, exceeding the pre-pandemic figure of 17 million and increasing by about 15 percent compared to 2024. However, this achievement still lags behind the surge in tourism in Japan, which recorded a record 43 million arrivals during the same period, an increase of almost 16% year-on-year, driven by the weakening of the yen.
“The core of Seoul’s new strategy is to reduce barriers to entry. In addition to the visa-free trial for Indonesian tourist groups, citizens of China and several other Southeast Asian countries who have visited before will be eligible for a five-year multiple-entry visa. Citizens in major cities in these countries can even apply for a visa with a validity period of 10 years,” the announcement continued.
The government is also expanding the automated gate facilities, which are currently available to travelers from 18 countries, including Japan, Singapore, and Australia. In the future, this service will include citizens of European Union member states.
On the other hand, the government is trying to direct tourist flows so that they are not concentrated in Seoul. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to increase international direct flights to regional airports by granting special air traffic rights and providing incentives to reduce costs for opening new routes.
President Lee Jae Myung stated that the government will overhaul tourism infrastructure and take firm action against exorbitant prices and forced offers. He emphasized that the growth of the sector, which he called a core strategic national industry, must have an impact on the regional economy, not just be concentrated in the capital, Seoul.
According to him, tourism needs to be treated as a cultural sector that goes beyond just selling products, but is able to create valuable memories and turn enthusiasm for K-culture into real visits to South Korea. (I-1)