Hotel Grade Determination Application Deadlines — 60 Days After New Registration, 3-Year Validity and Reapplication

Procedure

1. 1. Check the application deadline

   For a new registration, apply within 60 days from the hotel business registration date (120 days for registrations between 2024.7.1. and 2026.6.30.). When validity expires, apply from 150 days to 90 days before expiry, and when a reason for grade adjustment arises from extension, renovation or operational changes, apply within 60 days from that date.

2. 2. Choose the desired grade and apply

   Choose the desired grade among 5-star, 4-star, 3-star, 2-star and 1-star and apply to the grade determination agency. Compare the items of the published grade determination criteria in advance to decide the desired grade.

3. 3. Evaluation

   Service condition, condition of rooms and ancillary facilities, and compliance with safety management laws are evaluated. The evaluation schedule may not be notified in advance for fairness, so keep everything ready for inspection from right after the application.

4. 4. Notice of grade determination

   The agency determines and notifies the grade within 90 days from the application date and may extend this by up to 60 days if unavoidable. Results are published quarterly on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism website.

5. 5. Reapplication or objection after a hold

   If the criteria are not met, the grade determination is put on hold. Reapply for the same or a lower grade within 60 days from the hold notice, and if a same-grade reapplication is held again, apply for a lower grade or file an objection with the agency within 60 days. Objections are processed within 90 days.

Required documents

• Hotel grade determination application (stating the desired grade)
• Copy of the tourist accommodation business registration certificate
• Room and ancillary facility status and photos
• Service and operation materials (staffing, operation manuals, etc.)
• Safety inspection and examination results
• Letter of authorization (when submitted by an agent)

Fees

Generally from hundreds of thousands to several million won in the industry · We quote after consultation depending on the number of rooms, the desired grade and whether it is a new application, re-examination or reapplication after a hold. The agency's examination fee is separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Tourism Promotion Act, Article 19
• Enforcement Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act, Article 22
• Enforcement Rule of the Tourism Promotion Act, Article 25
• Enforcement Rule of the Tourism Promotion Act, Article 25-2
• Enforcement Rule of the Tourism Promotion Act, Article 25-3

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-05

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• Renewal applications are only possible from 150 to 90 days before expiry, so set the schedule at the start of year 3.
• The evaluation schedule may not be notified in advance, so keep rooms and safety conditions ready at all times after applying.

Frequently asked questions