Are you planning a trip to South Korea?
Visas, K-ETA, e-Arrival Card… Are you confused about what you need?
Use this Korea entry guide to ensure you’re fully prepared for entry.
Entering South Korea: Do I Need a Visa?
Foreign nationals entering Korea must hold a valid passport along with a Korean visa or an electronic visa obtained through the Visa Portal. However, visa-free entry is often permitted under certain conditions.
You can enter Korea without a visa in the following cases:
- Citizens of countries or regions that have signed a visa waiver agreement with the Republic of Korea
- Those who have received separate entry permission as stipulated by Presidential Decree
- Those re-entering Korea with a valid re-entry permit
How can I check if my nationality qualifies for visa-free entry?
Check visa-free eligibility on the official K-ETA website → “K-ETA Guide” → “Eligible Countries / Applicants.”
Visa Guide
A visa is an entry permit issued by the jurisdiction you are visiting. All foreign nationals not covered by a visa waiver agreement must hold a valid visa when entering Korea.
Types of Visas
- Single-entry Visa: Allows entry only once before the expiration date
- Double-entry Visa: Allows two entries before the expiration date (6 months)
- Multiple-entry Visa: Allows multiple entries (1 year, 3 years, or 5 years)
For Tourism Purposes: Short-term General Visa (C-3)
- Duration of Stay: Up to 90 days
- Extension: Generally not permitted
- Where to Apply: Korean Embassy or Consulate, in-person visit required
C-3 Visa Required Documents
Required documents may vary depending on the country of application and the embassy. Be sure to check the official guidelines of the relevant embassy.
- Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining validity)
- Passport-sized photo
- Visa application form
- Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statement)
- Return ticket or ticket to a third country
- Accommodation reservation confirmation
K-ETA Guide
If you hold a passport exempt from visa requirements, you must obtain a K-ETA before boarding a flight or ship.
Valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, with unlimited entries within the validity period.
K-ETA approval does not guarantee entry.
Final entry authorization is determined by the immigration officer at the airport.
Temporary K-ETA Exemption (until December 31, 2026)
To promote tourism in Korea, K-ETA is temporarily exempt for citizens of 22 designated countries and regions until December 31, 2026.
- Asia: Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau
- Americas: United States (including Guam), Canada
- Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Official K-ETA Website:
www.k-eta.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, Malay, Thai)
How to Apply for K-ETA
- Visit www.k-eta.go.kr → Click “Apply for K-ETA”
- Enter passport information
- Upload a facial photo (white background, no hats or sunglasses)
- Enter purpose of visit and intended place of stay
- Pay the fee (10,000 KRW, approx. $7-$8)
- Receive result via email (usually within 72 hours)
Requirements for K-ETA Application
- Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining validity)
- Valid email address
- Facial photo (white background; no hats or sunglasses)
- Credit or debit card
Cases Where K-ETA Is Not Required
- Holders of diplomatic or service passports
- Active-duty U.S. military personnel stationed in Korea (SOFA)
- Airline crew members and seafarers
- Transit passengers (provided they do not leave the airport)
- Persons aged 17 or younger, or 65 or older (as of the date of entry)
Beware of Phishing Sites
Use only the official website.
There are many fraudulent sites impersonating K-ETA.
Official website: www.k-eta.go.kr
Official fee: 10,000 KRW (approx. $7-$8). Any site charging more is a scam.
Before You Arrive: e-Arrival Card & Final Checklist
If you don’t hold a K-ETA, you’ll also need to submit Korea’s e-Arrival Card online before you land. The e-Arrival Card is a separate, free document, and K-ETA holders are exempt from this step. For the full e-Arrival Card walkthrough, plus immigration procedures and customs declaration limits, see our Immigration and Customs guide.
Use this checklist to confirm everything is in order before departure:
- Confirm that your passport is valid for at least 6 months
- Prepare your return ticket or ticket to a third country
- Complete your K-ETA application (if applicable) or submit your e-Arrival Card
- Register for Q-Code if departing from a designated quarantine area (recommended)
- Prepare to declare any items exceeding the duty-free allowance
Wondering exactly what you can bring through customs? See our specific guides on food and agricultural items, spare batteries and power banks, and traveling with a pet for the exact rules on each.
Once your entry paperwork is sorted, see our Korea travel budget guide for what a typical day actually costs, and figure out how you’ll stay connected with our SIM card, eSIM, and WiFi egg guide.
Need Help?
Foreigners’ General Information Center 1345
- Phone Number: 1345 (Domestic) / +82-1345 (International)
- Hours: Weekdays 09:00-22:00
- 09:00-18:00: Supported in 20 languages including Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Mongolian
- 18:00-22:00: Korean, English, Chinese
Useful Official Websites
Entry Checklist by Situation
Refer to this Korea entry guide summary to quickly determine what applies to your travel situation.
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Citizens of the 22 K-ETA-exempt countries | Submit e-Arrival Card |
| Citizens of countries requiring K-ETA | Apply for K-ETA (e-Arrival Card waived) |
| Citizens of countries requiring a visa | Obtain a visa + submit e-Arrival Card |
| Travelers from designated quarantine areas | Pre-register for Q-Code (recommended) |
| Carrying goods exceeding duty-free limits | Voluntarily declare to customs |
Visa & K-ETA: What Travelers Ask Most
It depends on your nationality. If your country has a visa waiver agreement with Korea, you can enter with a K-ETA, or, until December 31, 2026, with no K-ETA at all if you’re from one of the 22 temporarily exempt countries. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply for a visa in advance through the Korea Visa Portal or a Korean embassy.
A visa is issued by an embassy or consulate and generally requires an in-person visit and supporting documents. K-ETA is a lighter online authorization for citizens of visa-waiver countries: applied for entirely online, costing about $7-$8, and valid for 3 years or until your passport expires.
22 countries and regions are temporarily exempt from K-ETA through December 31, 2026, including Japan, the US, Canada, the UK, and most of Western Europe. Rules can change, so it’s worth checking the official K-ETA website closer to your travel date.
Most applications are processed and emailed back within 72 hours.
No. K-ETA is a pre-entry authorization you apply for before boarding, while the e-Arrival Card is an entry declaration required only if you don’t hold a valid K-ETA. See our Immigration and Customs guide for a full comparison and how to submit each.
The official K-ETA fee is 10,000 KRW (about $7-$8), paid only through www.k-eta.go.kr. Numerous phishing sites impersonate K-ETA and charge more. Always go directly to the official government site rather than a link from an email or ad.
Yes, citizens of the 22 exempt countries don’t need K-ETA or a visa through December 31, 2026. You’ll still need to submit the e-Arrival Card before arrival, unless you choose to apply for K-ETA voluntarily.
Sort the paperwork weeks ahead and arrival day becomes a formality: scan your passport, answer a question or two, and you’re through.
If something about your own case is unclear, the Foreigners’ General Information Center answers on 1345, weekdays 09:00-22:00.
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