Press Releases
U.S. EMBASSY SEOUL AND STATE OF ALASKA ANNOUNCE:
ALASKA EXPLORER VISA PROGRAM
U.S. Embassy Seoul, the Alaska State Trade Office, the Alaska Travel Industry Association and the Governor of Alaska are delighted to announce a campaign to encourage travel to Alaska in April through September.
“I am pleased to help introduce the great natural beauties of the State of Alaska to Koreans. Increasing travel to the United States is an important initiative of the Embassy and we are pleased that we were able to enlist the help and support of the State of Alaska, its government and its representatives as well as private businesses to create and implement the Alaska Explorer Visa Program,” said Consul General Michael D. Kirby.
Recognizing the appeal of one of America’s most interesting states, we encourage Korean explorers to come to Alaska. “The Alaska Explorer Visa Program will make Alaska more accessible for Korean visitors this summer. Alaska offers so much that Koreans find enjoyable including fresh air, open spaces, beautiful glaciers, towering mountains and an abundance of wildlife. We are pleased to work cooperatively with US Embassy Seoul, Korean Airlines and selected travel agencies in bringing more Korean visitors to our wonderful state,” said Ron Peck, President and COO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association.
We recognize that one impediment to spending a vacation in Alaska is the perceived difficulty of scheduling visitor (B) visa appointments. To reduce anxiety of travelers, we will make available up to 1,200 open visa appointments every month solely for Koreans intending to spend a vacation in Alaska between April and the end of September.
Using participating travel agencies, the program is designed to minimize paperwork and speed the appointment process. Alaska-bound travelers need to book their Alaska tour package and travel through Focus Tour, Freedom Travel, Hana Tour, Hanjin Travel, Honeymoon Resort, Hyundai Dream Tour, Kaya Tour, Lotte Travel, Mode Tour, Pan Korea, Sejoong Travel and SK Tourvis. Alaska-bound travelers will receive a 30-day open appointment to allow them to apply for an appropriate visa on the day and time of their choice. Participating travel agencies will guide applicants on AEVP eligibility requirements.