South Korea waives visa fees
South Korea will waive visa fees for Chinese and Southeast Asian visitors as it seeks to turn around a tourist industry badly affected by the MERS outbreak.
The Justice Ministry said any visas already issued can be extended for a further three months as it enters the peak July-August tourist season.
"Starting next Monday, from July 6 to the end of September, for three months, visa application fees will be temporarily exempted for group tourists from five countries including China. The four Southeast Asian countries, are Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia. These countries will also be exempt from visa application fees."
Standard tourist visa fees usually cost $15.
"These measures are aimed to help boost the tourism industry, which has been affected by the MERS outbreak," a government issued statement said.
In June the number of foreign visitors plunged 50% due to the MERS outbreak which claimed the lives of dozens of people.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026