Travel Notes of a WHV Holder: 8 Days in South Korea with a B2 Transit Visa
Article by Dinda Ichsani – AIYA National Blog Editor
For many Indonesians who want to travel abroad, applying for a visa can be a bit troublesome. Starting from dealing with piles of documents, spending time preparing the requirements, visiting embassies, to the rather high fees. The same applies when Indonesians want to visit South Korea. We usually have to go through all these steps just to be eligible for a tourist visa.
However, there is good news for Indonesian passport holders with an Australian visa. Thanks to the Tourists in Transit (B2) program by the South Korean government [1], eligible travelers can enter Korea without applying for a tourist visa. This convenience makes the process much simpler, faster, and even free.
This opportunity reflects the increasingly close relationship between Indonesia and Australia, where Indonesians who live, work, or study in Australia can access certain benefits that are not available in their home country. One of these is the ability to explore nearby countries such as South Korea more easily, and of course, without the administrative burden of a traditional visa application. It is a small but meaningful way for Indonesians to experience the benefits of regional cooperation and stronger diplomatic relations.
Through this article, as an Australian Work and Holiday Visa (WHV) holder, the writer wishes to share a complete experience, from the planning process to essential tips while in South Korea. Hopefully, it can serve as a useful guide for other Indonesians who are currently working, studying, or on holiday in Australia and wish to visit Korea without applying for a tourist visa.
Disclaimer: This article was written based on the author’s personal experience in February 2025 and does not represent the official view of AIYA or serve as an official guide to immigration policy. The information regarding South Korea’s B2 transit visa is presented solely for the purpose of sharing experience. Please verify all information with official sources such as the South Korean Consulate before planning your trip.
Korea B2 Transit Visa: What It Is and Who Is Eligible
According to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea [2], the B2 Transit Visa, also known as the Tourists in Transit visa, is a South Korean government program that allows travelers from certain countries, including Indonesia, to visit Korea without a visa for up to 30 days while in transit to their final destination.
This program only applies to passport holders from certain countries who have a valid visa or residence permit from countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and several other specific nations. This means that Indonesians who are living or working in Australia with an active visa can benefit from this scheme for budget-friendly and flexible travel to Korea.
However, it is important to note that this scheme does not apply if you are only visiting Korea and returning directly to your home country. The travel format must include a third country as the final destination. In the author’s case, the route was Sydney – Incheon, South Korea – Changi, Singapore – Sydney, with Singapore as the third country before returning to Australia.
Who Can Benefit from the B2 Transit Visa
The eligibility criteria for Indonesian citizens are quite simple and straightforward. The main requirements are [2]:
- Hold an active visa from Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand, or one of 32 specified European countries.
- Hold an airline ticket showing onward travel to another destination country.
- Have no record of legal violations in the country that issued the visa, such as overstaying or other illegal activities.
- Have not been denied entry to Korea in the past three years.
- Have never received a fine of more than KRW 5 million or deportation due to legal violations (including overstaying, criminal acts, etc.).
- If transiting through a third country before entering Korea, the transit period must not exceed three days.
Benefits for Indonesians Holding an Australian Visa
For Indonesians who have an Australian visa, the advantages of using the B2 Transit Visa are significant:
• No need to apply for a Korean tourist visa, which usually requires a manual process at the embassy or through a visa agency.
• No visa application fee, as the B2 visa is free.
• Saves time and money, since there is no need to prepare extra documents or pay for agency services.
As a comparison, the regular Korean tourist visa fee ranges between IDR 900,000 – 1,350,000 ($86–$130 AUD) for single entry and IDR 1,700,000 – 2,300,000 ($163–$220 AUD) for multiple entry. By using the B2 Transit Visa, all these costs can be avoided, making the trip much more efficient.
Preparing for Your Trip
Although the official website of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea does not provide a detailed list of documents specifically for the B2 Transit Visa, in general, the requirements are quite similar to those for a regular tourist visa. Below are the documents that the author personally prepared before flying to Korea. Even though not all were requested by immigration officers upon arrival, it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, especially for international travel.
Documents to Prepare:
· Indonesian passport valid for at least six months.
· A valid Australian visa. In the author’s case, a Work and Holiday Visa (WHV) was used. However, other visa types such as student, work, or even tourist visas are also accepted. Make sure to bring proof of your Australian visa (either a VEVO printout or your visa grant notification).
· A flight ticket to a third country (for example Singapore, Japan, etc.) within 30 days, along with the ticket leaving Korea. The maximum stay in Korea under this transit visa is 30 days, so your itinerary must clearly show your onward travel and departure from Korea.
· Proof of financial capacity and travel plans. These can include bank statements, payslips, or other income evidence, along with a simple travel itinerary.
Route Planning Tips
In the author’s journey, the route was Sydney – Incheon – Singapore – Sydney, spending eight days in Korea and two days in Singapore before returning to Australia.
When planning your route, make sure it matches the official travel patterns permitted under the B2 visa program. Some examples include:
• Australia (A) → Korea (B) → Indonesia/Home Country (C)
• Indonesia/Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Australia (A)
• Australia (A) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D)
• Third Country (D) → Korea (B) → Australia (A)
If you wish to visit a third country before entering Korea, your stay there must not exceed three days. Otherwise, you may be denied entry to Korea under this visa scheme.
Examples include:
• Australia (A) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) → Home Country (C)
• Home Country (C) → Third Country (D, max 3 days) → Korea (B) → Australia (A)
• Australia (A) → Third Country (D, max 3 days) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C)
• Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) → Australia (A)
Experience at Sydney and Incheon Airports
Before flying to Korea, at Sydney Airport, the author was asked by the airline staff whether they had a Korean visa. The author explained that there was no Korean visa because they qualified for the B-2 Tourist Transit Visa thanks to an active Australian work visa. After showing supporting documents such as the visa grant notification and third-country ticket, the author was allowed to board.
Upon arrival at Incheon Airport, the author went directly to the immigration counter and showed the passport along with the flight ticket. The author also briefly explained that the visit was for tourism. The immigration officer then escorted the author to a separate immigration room for additional document verification and to confirm the validity of the entry documents.
The author was only asked to provide the entry permit number, so it is important to bring a printed copy showing the number clearly.
The verification process in that room was quick, lasting less than five minutes. The officer simply confirmed that the author held a valid Australian visa. Once completed, the author was granted entry—marking the official start of the adventure in South Korea!
Important tip: Bring a printed VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) check or your visa grant notice as proof of your valid Australian visa. This will help make the immigration process smoother and stress-free.
Activities During the Trip to Korea
During the author’s winter trip to South Korea, several amazing places were visited in Seoul and Gyeongju. In Seoul, the author explored places such as Namdaemun Market, Myeongdong Shopping Street, Dongdaemun, Noryangjin Fish Market, Ikseon-dong, the Han River, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and even took a short ski trip to Elysian Ski Resort, located about one and a half hours from downtown Seoul.


The author also took a three-hour bus ride from Seoul to the historic city of Gyeongju, which offered a much calmer and more relaxed atmosphere compared to Seoul. The author’s top recommendations in Gyeongju include Woljeong Bridge, Hwangnidan-gil, and the Daereungwon Tomb Complex. The city’s atmosphere reminded the author very much of Yogyakarta in Indonesia!


One of the most memorable aspects of the trip was the food. It felt truly special to finally enjoy Korean dishes that the author had only seen in K-Dramas—right in their country of origin! Some of the author’s top food recommendations include:
• Kalguksu and Bibimbap at Namdaemun Market
• Seafood Pajeon at Jojo Kalguksu
• Grilled Mackerel at Gosami, Sincheon
• Marinated Crab (Ganjang Gejang) at Odarijib
• and many other delicious local dishes worth trying!



In addition, accommodation in Korea is very easy to book through applications such as Airbnb. For transportation, T-money cards are used just like Opal in Sydney or E-money in Indonesia. As a foreign visitor, getting around Seoul is easy thanks to the well-developed subway and bus systems, with clear English and Latin-lettered signage, making navigation very tourist-friendly.
A WHV Friend’s Story: Adding Korea to a Japan Trip
In addition to the author’s experience, a fellow Work and Holiday Visa holder, Star, shared her story about including South Korea as part of her trip to Japan. Initially, she only planned to travel to Tokyo, but after learning that Australian visa holders could enter Korea without a tourist visa through this transit scheme, she decided to stop over in Seoul for a few days.
She prepared basic documents such as her Australian visa, onward ticket to Japan, and proof of hotel reservations in Korea. Upon arrival at Incheon Airport, she was directed to an additional screening room for brief verification, which she said was smooth and quick. “The officer just checked my visa and ticket, then asked where I would be staying in Korea,” she added. For her, this scheme provided extra flexibility during her trip, without the lengthy administrative process.
AIYA is not responsible for any visa policy changes or immigration decisions made by South Korean or other authorities. Readers are advised to always check the latest information on official immigration websites or contact the relevant embassies before traveling.
Personal Reflection on This Unique Experience
As someone who loves culture and travel, this journey truly meant a lot to the author. Compared to applying for a tourist visa from scratch, using the B2 Transit Visa felt much more efficient, simpler, and cost-effective. For an Indonesian passport that usually faces many visa restrictions—including for South Korea—this became a valuable privilege.
Beyond just tourism, this experience made the author appreciate the value of international diplomacy even more. The author hopes that Indonesia continues to strengthen its diplomatic ties globally so that more Indonesians can access opportunities like this in the future.
This trip was not only about saving money or getting a convenient route. More importantly, it reflected how ordinary individuals like us can play small but meaningful roles in strengthening bilateral relationships through everyday interactions.
In this sense, the author felt part of the growing connection between Indonesia, Australia, and South Korea. It serves as a reminder that grassroots diplomacy—people-to-people engagement—can be just as impactful as formal diplomatic efforts. The author fully supports greater mobility across the Indo-Pacific region and hopes more Indonesians will be able to travel, connect, and grow internationally.
So, if you are looking for a budget-friendly and flexible travel plan while holding an Australian visa, this B2 Transit Visa program is definitely worth considering.
References
[1] [Important] Resumption of “Tourists in Transit” (B2) (As of Apr 30, 2023, KST)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston
URL: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-houston-en/brd/m_5573/view.do?seq=759894
[2] [Important] Resumption of Tourists in Transit (B2)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Toronto
URL: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ca-toronto-en/brd/m_26538/view.do?seq=1&page=1































