Most tourists come to Korea for a short stay and do not apply for a visa in advance — but the exact rules depend on your nationality, so always confirm your own case with an official source before you fly.
As of 2026, Korea has temporarily waived the K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) for eligible visa-free nationals. Even when K-ETA is waived, every arriving traveler must complete the e-Arrival Card.
- Most tourists need NO visa for a short stay — but you almost always need the free e-Arrival Card.
- K-ETA is temporarily waived for 22 countries through 31 Dec 2026; it returns 1 Jan 2027.
- If you DO need K-ETA: apply only at k-eta.go.kr, ₩10,000, valid 3 years, at least 72h before you fly.
Don't see your country? Most other visa-free nationals just need the e-Arrival Card (see above). More country guides are being added.
Find your country
Every nationality has its own path. Pick yours for a tailored guide — a full A-to-Z visa walkthrough if you need a visa, or a quick entry checklist if you're visa-free.
🛂 You need a visa — full A-to-Z walkthrough
✅ Visa-free — quick entry guide
Don't see your country? Most other visa-free nationals just need the e-Arrival Card (see above). More country guides are being added.
✓ Verified facts
- Exempt until2026-12-31
- e-Arrival Cardrequired
- Age exempt<=17 or >=65
ⓘ Sources differ on the number of exempt countries (22 vs 67). Confirm the current country list at the official site; check your own case with a consulate.
- Fee₩10,000 (~US$8)
- Valid for3 years
- Entriesmultiple
- Apply atk-eta.go.kr only
- Refundableno
ⓘ The fee is non-refundable. Beware third-party sites that charge US$40–50 extra — the only official site is k-eta.go.kr.
- Apply≥ 72h before boarding
- Typical resultminutes to 72h
ⓘ The Korea Immigration Service recommends applying at least 72 hours before departure.
- Exempt countries22
- Exempt until2026-12-31
- Requirement resumes2027-01-01
ⓘ Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States (incl. Guam). Always confirm the current list at k-eta.go.kr.
- Costfree
- Apply ate-arrivalcard.go.kr
- Apply windowwithin 72h before arrival
- Replaced bypaper card (2025)
ⓘ K-ETA holders and registered foreign residents are exempt. Your submission expires 72 hours after you file it, so time it close to your flight.
The 3 documents, in plain English
Entering Korea can involve up to three separate things. Most short-term tourists only deal with one or two of them. Here is what each one actually is:
Tourist Visa
Who: Only nationalities NOT on the visa-free list
A visa sticker/label you get from a Korean embassy before you travel.
K-ETA
Who: Visa-free nationals (currently waived for 22 countries)
An electronic travel authorization linked to your passport. Not a visa — it's permission to board.
e-Arrival Card
Who: Almost every short-term visitor
A digital entry/customs declaration that replaced the old paper card you used to fill on the plane.
Which do YOU need? (30-second check)
Find the row that matches you. Rules depend on nationality, so always confirm your own case at the official site.
* Holding a valid K-ETA exempts you from the e-Arrival Card.
Visa vs K-ETA vs e-Arrival Card
| Tourist Visa | K-ETA | e-Arrival Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Entry visa from an embassy | Electronic travel authorization | Digital arrival/customs form |
| Who needs it | Non-visa-free nationals | Visa-free nationals (see waiver) | Almost all short-term visitors |
| Where to get it | Korean embassy/consulate | k-eta.go.kr only | e-arrivalcard.go.kr |
| Cost | Varies | ₩10,000 (~US$8) | Free |
| Valid for | Per visa | 3 years, multiple entries | Single trip (expires 72h after filing) |
| When to do it | Weeks ahead | ≥72h before boarding | ≤72h before arrival |
How to apply for K-ETA — step by step
Only if your nationality is not currently exempt. The official process on k-eta.go.kr has 7 steps and usually takes 10–15 minutes.
- 1
Agree to the terms
Open k-eta.go.kr (or the official K-ETA app) and start a single or group application. Read and accept the terms.
- 2
Verify your email
Register or verify with an email address. Your approval and receipt are sent here — use an address you can access while travelling.
- 3
Enter passport info
Type your passport details (or scan the photo page). If you're exempt, a pop-up appears here telling you K-ETA isn't required.
- 4
Fill the application
Add your trip details, address in Korea, and upload a passport-style face photo (plain background, no glasses/hat).
- 5
Review everything
Double-check name spelling and passport number against your actual passport — mismatches are the #1 cause of problems at the gate.
- 6
Pay the fee
Pay ₩10,000 by card. This fee is non-refundable, even if the application is later declined.
- 7
Get approval
Most approvals arrive within minutes, but it can take up to 72 hours. Save the PDF/screenshot; airlines may check it before boarding.
Have these ready before you start
Valid for your whole stay. You'll enter the number exactly as printed.
Passport-style: plain light background, face clearly visible, no glasses or headwear.
Approval and receipt are emailed here.
For the ₩10,000 fee (K-ETA) — the e-Arrival Card is free.
Your first hotel/stay address and phone are asked on both forms.
The e-Arrival Card (free) — don't skip this
Since 2025, Korea replaced the paper arrival card with a digital e-Arrival Card. Almost every short-term visitor files it — the big exception is people who hold a valid K-ETA (and registered residents).
- 1
Open the official site
Go to e-arrivalcard.go.kr — it's free. Beware paid look-alike sites.
- 2
File within 72 hours of arrival
You can only submit within 3 days of landing (Korea time). Filing too early means it expires before you arrive.
- 3
Enter passport, flight & address
Passport info, flight number, and where you'll stay in Korea.
- 4
Save the confirmation
Show the QR/confirmation at immigration to skip the paper queue.
K-ETA-exempt countries (through 31 Dec 2026)
Citizens of these 22 countries/regions can currently enter without K-ETA. The waiver is scheduled to end and K-ETA returns on 1 Jan 2027 — reconfirm before you travel.
5 mistakes that trip people up
Third-party sites buy top search ads and charge US$40–50 for a free/₩10,000 government service. The only official sites are k-eta.go.kr and e-arrivalcard.go.kr.
It expires 72 hours after you submit it. File it within 3 days of your flight, not weeks ahead.
Your name must match your passport exactly. A single wrong character can stop you at check-in.
Blurry photos, glasses, hats or busy backgrounds get bounced. Use a plain, well-lit passport-style shot.
The waiver is temporary (ends 2026-12-31) and the country list changes. Reconfirm your status close to travel.
Frequently asked questions
I'm from the US / UK / Japan / EU. Do I need K-ETA?
Not right now — those are on the 22-country waiver through 31 Dec 2026, so you skip K-ETA and just file the free e-Arrival Card. This is scheduled to change on 1 Jan 2027.
Is K-ETA the same as a visa?
No. K-ETA is a travel authorization that lets you board and enter visa-free; it is not a visa. If your nationality isn't visa-free, you still need an actual visa from a Korean embassy.
How long is K-ETA valid?
Three years from approval, with multiple entries — so one approval usually covers repeat trips until it expires or your passport does.
How much does it cost and is it refundable?
₩10,000 (about US$8). The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is declined.
How early should I apply?
At least 72 hours before boarding. Many approvals come within minutes, but leave a buffer in case yours is reviewed.
Do children and seniors need K-ETA?
Historically travelers 17 and under or 65 and over have been exempt from K-ETA. Confirm the current age rule at k-eta.go.kr before you rely on it.
What's the e-Arrival Card and do I really need it?
It's the digital version of the paper arrival card, filed free at e-arrivalcard.go.kr up to 72 hours before you land. Most short-term visitors need it; valid K-ETA holders and registered residents are exempt.
Which sites are official?
Only k-eta.go.kr (K-ETA) and e-arrivalcard.go.kr (arrival card). Anything charging a big 'service fee' is a third-party reseller, not the government.
Can I get a visa on arrival at the airport?
No — Korea doesn't offer a general visa on arrival for tourists. Visa-free nationals enter with no visa (plus K-ETA if required and the e-Arrival Card); everyone else must obtain a visa in advance at a Korean embassy or Visa Application Center.
How do I apply for K-ETA, step by step?
Apply only at the official site k-eta.go.kr (or the K-ETA app), at least 72 hours before boarding. Upload a passport photo, answer the travel questions and pay ₩10,000. Approval is often fast but can take up to 72 hours, and a K-ETA is valid 3 years with multiple entries.
My K-ETA was refused — what can I do?
A refusal doesn't automatically ban you, but you can't board on it. Recheck your answers and reapply carefully, or apply for the appropriate visa at a Korean embassy. Immigration still makes the final decision on arrival, and you should only ever use k-eta.go.kr.
Do I need a K-ETA or visa just to transit through Korea?
If you stay airside and don't clear immigration, you generally need neither. If you leave the airport — including some transit-tour programs — you are entering Korea and the normal rules apply. Confirm with your airline and the official sites for your route.
How long can I stay without a visa?
It depends on your nationality — commonly up to 90 days for tourism, though some nationalities get 30 days and a few have their own limits. Check your country's guide above, and never overstay.
What happens if I overstay, and can I extend my stay?
Overstaying brings fines and possible bans on future entry. Short-term visa-free and tourist stays usually can't be extended; for longer you must apply for the right visa. Immigration matters are handled through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr).
When does the K-ETA waiver end and K-ETA come back?
The temporary waiver for the 22 exempt countries and regions runs through 31 December 2026, and K-ETA is scheduled to return on 1 January 2027 unless it is extended again. Reconfirm at k-eta.go.kr close to your travel date.
Do I need both K-ETA and the e-Arrival Card?
No — you file one or the other. A valid K-ETA exempts you from the e-Arrival Card. If K-ETA is waived for your nationality (or you're exempt by age — 17 and under or 65 and over), file the free e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr instead.
Real walkthroughs & official notices
We researched current step-by-step guides and official notices so you can double-check anything here:
Official sources
Travel facts are checked against official sources with a verification date. Prices, schedules and visa rules change — always confirm at the linked official source before you travel.