← Visa & K-ETA
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Korea Entry Guide from Kazakhstan

Entry guide · Kazakhstan → Korea⏱ 6 min read· Updated 2026-10-09
TL;DR
  • No tourist visa — Kazakhstani passports are visa-free for up to 30 days (max 60 within any 180-day period).
  • For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card.
  • The e-Arrival Card is conditional. Valid K-ETA holders entering under K-ETA and valid Korean residence-card holders are exempt. A traveler entering with a visa may need the declaration even when also holding K-ETA. Other exceptions exist: use the official navigator for your documents and journey. This is an immigration declaration, separate from customs.
  • Bring a passport valid for your stay plus proof of onward/return travel.
Arrivals at Incheon International Airport
Photo: Pmsyyz / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Visa, K-ETA and arrival declaration are different

K-ETA rules — eligible visa-free passports only

Select your passport country for its guide, then check your travel purpose, arrival date, age and valid documents on the official sites. Site language is not your nationality.

Check the e-Arrival Card requirement ↗K-ETA ↗Korea Visa Portal ↗

· K-ETA ↗

K-ETA rules — eligible visa-free passports only

The temporary K-ETA waiver applies only to designated countries and regions through 2026-12-31. Visa-free entry does not automatically mean K-ETA exemption. Check the official notice again for later travel dates.

The e-Arrival Card is conditional. Valid K-ETA holders entering under K-ETA and valid Korean residence-card holders are exempt. A traveler entering with a visa may need the declaration even when also holding K-ETA. Other exceptions exist: use the official navigator for your documents and journey. This is an immigration declaration, separate from customs.

K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card.

Apply early enough to receive approval before boarding. K-ETA assessment can take more than 72 hours; no approval time or entry is guaranteed.

Confirm your exact case on the official sites. Immigration makes the final entry decision.

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Visa-free tourism — check whether K-ETA applies to you.

For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card.

VisaVisa-free; K-ETA unless exemptStayUp to 30 days (max 60 within any 180-day period)EntryShort-term tourism
✅
No visa for up to 30 days

Under the Korea–Kazakhstan visa-waiver agreement, Kazakhstani passport holders enter Korea visa-free for short-term tourism for up to 30 days per visit — capped at 60 days within any 180-day period. There is no tourist-visa application to file.

🟠
Check K-ETA eligibility and exemptions

For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card.

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Check the e-Arrival Card requirement

The e-Arrival Card is conditional. Valid K-ETA holders entering under K-ETA and valid Korean residence-card holders are exempt. A traveler entering with a visa may need the declaration even when also holding K-ETA. Other exceptions exist: use the official navigator for your documents and journey. This is an immigration declaration, separate from customs.

No tourist visa — Kazakhstani passports are visa-free for up to 30 days (max 60 within any 180-day period). For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card.
  • VisaVisa-free; K-ETA unless exempt
  • StayUp to 30 days (max 60 within any 180-day period)
  • K-ETAVisa-free; K-ETA unless exempt
  • Fee₩10,000
  • Valid for3 years or passport expiry, whichever first
⚠ Fees/rules change — confirm at sourceSource: Korea Immigration Service · K-ETA eligibility

ⓘ K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus the online payment fee and is non-refundable. Current approvals are valid for 3 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first; this is not the allowed length of each stay. Apply early enough to receive approval before boarding. K-ETA assessment can take more than 72 hours; no approval time or entry is guaranteed.

Your entry steps

  1. 1

    Confirm you're visa-free

    Kazakhstani passports enter Korea visa-free for short tourism (up to 30 days, max 60 within any 180-day period) — there's no tourist visa to apply for.

  2. 2

    Check K-ETA eligibility and exemptions

    For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card. Apply early enough to receive approval before boarding. K-ETA assessment can take more than 72 hours; no approval time or entry is guaranteed. K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus the online payment fee and is non-refundable. Current approvals are valid for 3 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first; this is not the allowed length of each stay. — Apply for K-ETA

  3. 3

    Check passport & onward ticket

    Make sure your passport is valid for your stay, and have a return/onward ticket plus your first accommodation address.

  4. 4

    At immigration

    The e-Arrival Card is conditional. Valid K-ETA holders entering under K-ETA and valid Korean residence-card holders are exempt. A traveler entering with a visa may need the declaration even when also holding K-ETA. Other exceptions exist: use the official navigator for your documents and journey. This is an immigration declaration, separate from customs.

What to have ready

For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card.

PassportRequired
WhereYou have it

Valid for the duration of your stay.

K-ETA approvalIf it applies

For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card. Apply early enough to receive approval before boarding. K-ETA assessment can take more than 72 hours; no approval time or entry is guaranteed. K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus the online payment fee and is non-refundable. Current approvals are valid for 3 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first; this is not the allowed length of each stay.

e-Arrival CardIf it applies

The e-Arrival Card is conditional. Valid K-ETA holders entering under K-ETA and valid Korean residence-card holders are exempt. A traveler entering with a visa may need the declaration even when also holding K-ETA. Other exceptions exist: use the official navigator for your documents and journey. This is an immigration declaration, separate from customs.

Return / onward ticketRequired
WhereAirline / travel agent

Evidence you'll leave within your allowed stay.

Accommodation addressRequired
WhereBooking sites

Your first hotel/stay address (asked when you apply for K-ETA).

Funds for your tripRecommended
WhereYou

Cards are widely accepted; carry some cash for markets and small vendors.

Common entry mistakes

🟠
Check K-ETA eligibility and exemptions

For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card.

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Overstaying the 30/60-day limit

Each visit is up to 30 days, and no more than 60 days total within any 180-day period. Overstaying risks fines and future-entry bans.

🕸️
Applying on a copycat 'K-ETA' site

Use only k-eta.go.kr for official K-ETA applications. K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus the online payment fee and is non-refundable. Current approvals are valid for 3 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first; this is not the allowed length of each stay.

⏰
Applying too late

Apply early enough to receive approval before boarding. K-ETA assessment can take more than 72 hours; no approval time or entry is guaranteed.

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Filing the e-Arrival Card when you already have K-ETA

The e-Arrival Card is conditional. Valid K-ETA holders entering under K-ETA and valid Korean residence-card holders are exempt. A traveler entering with a visa may need the declaration even when also holding K-ETA. Other exceptions exist: use the official navigator for your documents and journey. This is an immigration declaration, separate from customs.

Kazakhstan → Korea entry FAQ

Do Kazakhstani passport holders need a visa for Korea?

No — for short-term tourism, Kazakhstani passport holders enter Korea visa-free and can stay up to 30 days. You do not apply for any tourist visa.

How long can I stay?

Up to 30 days per visit, and no more than 60 days within any 180-day period. For a longer stay you'd need the appropriate visa.

Do I need K-ETA?

For visa-free entry, obtain K-ETA approval before boarding unless an exemption applies. A valid Korean visa or residence card has its own entry rules; K-ETA is not an extra visa requirement. Check your age and documents at k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA-eligible travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from mandatory K-ETA. This does not itself exempt them from the e-Arrival Card.

How much is K-ETA and how long is it valid?

K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus the online payment fee and is non-refundable. Current approvals are valid for 3 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first; this is not the allowed length of each stay. Use only k-eta.go.kr for official K-ETA applications.

Do I also need the e-Arrival Card?

The e-Arrival Card is conditional. Valid K-ETA holders entering under K-ETA and valid Korean residence-card holders are exempt. A traveler entering with a visa may need the declaration even when also holding K-ETA. Other exceptions exist: use the official navigator for your documents and journey. This is an immigration declaration, separate from customs.

Can I work or study on this entry?

No. Visa-free entry is for tourism and short visits only; working or studying requires the appropriate visa.

Official channels

Confirm your exact case on the official sites. Immigration makes the final entry decision.

Official sources

Visa sorted? Now plan the rest of your trip

Arrival, getting around, where to stay, and what to do — the rest of your Korea trip, all here.

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.