TBM Staff - Mumbai South Korea is launching a new visa aimed at foreign nationals who aspire to train in K-pop dancing, choreography, and modelling.
Dubbed the “K-Culture Training Visa,” this initiative by South Korea’s Finance Ministry does not require applicants to have prior auditions or callback offers from talent agencies, with more details expected later this year.
The move comes in response to the global surge of interest in Korean culture, which has led many international fans to travel to South Korea and immerse themselves in the country’s pop culture, including visiting filming locations for K-pop music videos and K-dramas. By capitalising on the popularity of K-culture, Seoul aims to attract more tourists, particularly from Southeast Asia, by easing travel barriers.
Despite the growing diversity of tourists, South Korea’s tourism sector has been slow to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, around 11 million people visited the country, a modest increase from the previous year but still significantly lower than the 17.5 million tourists in 2019.
Additionally, South Korea has introduced a “workation” visa to facilitate stays for digital nomads, allowing them to work remotely while enjoying the country’s tourism offerings. The government is considering expanding this scheme to further promote tourism among remote workers.
