Korea Entry Guide from Malaysia
- No tourist visa — Malaysian passports are visa-free for up to 90 days.
- You must apply for K-ETA before you fly (KRW 10,000, valid 3 years) — only at k-eta.go.kr.
- Apply at least 72 hours before departure; a valid K-ETA then exempts you from the e-Arrival Card.
- Bring a passport valid for your stay plus proof of onward/return travel.
No tourist visa needed — but you must apply for K-ETA.
Malaysian passports are visa-free for short tourism, so there's no visa to apply for. But Malaysia is not on the K-ETA waiver list, so you must get a K-ETA before you fly. With a valid K-ETA you're then exempt from the e-Arrival Card.
Under the Korea–Malaysia visa-waiver agreement, Malaysian passport holders enter Korea visa-free for short-term tourism and can stay up to 90 days. There is no tourist-visa application to file.
Malaysia is not among the 22 countries/regions on the temporary K-ETA waiver, so you must apply for K-ETA before boarding. It costs KRW 10,000 (about US$8), is valid for 3 years with multiple entries, and is applied for only at the official site k-eta.go.kr.
Once you hold a valid K-ETA you're exempt from the e-Arrival Card — you don't file both. (If you're exempt from K-ETA by age — 17 and under or 65 and over — file the free e-Arrival Card instead.)
- visanot required (short-term tourism)
- stayup to 90 days
- ketarequired
- keta fee₩10,000
- keta valid3 years
ⓘ Visa-free 90 days under the Korea–Malaysia visa-waiver agreement. Malaysia is absent from the 22-region K-ETA temporary exemption list, so travelers must apply for K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr (valid K-ETA holders are then exempt from the e-Arrival Card). Confirm the current requirement at k-eta.go.kr before booking.
Your entry steps
- 1
Confirm you're visa-free
Malaysian passports enter Korea visa-free for short tourism (up to 90 days) — there's no tourist visa to apply for.
- 2
Apply for K-ETA (required)
Apply at the official site k-eta.go.kr at least 72 hours before boarding. The fee is KRW 10,000, valid 3 years with multiple entries. Beware copycat sites that charge extra — only k-eta.go.kr is official. — Apply for K-ETA
- 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
At immigration
With a valid K-ETA you don't file the e-Arrival Card. Show your passport at arrival; fingerprints and a photo may be taken. Keep it tourism — no paid work on visa-free entry.
What to have ready
You don't file a visa application — but you do need K-ETA, plus these for a smooth entry.
Valid for the duration of your stay.
KRW 10,000; apply at least 72 hours before boarding. Official site only.
Only if you do NOT hold a K-ETA (e.g. age-exempt travelers). K-ETA holders are exempt.
Evidence you'll leave within your allowed stay.
Your first hotel/stay address (asked when you apply for K-ETA).
Cards are widely accepted; carry some cash for markets and small vendors.
Common entry mistakes
It isn't. Some countries are waived from K-ETA through 2026, but Malaysia is not one of them — you must apply before you fly.
The only official site is k-eta.go.kr (KRW 10,000). Third-party sites charge US$40–50 extra for the same thing.
Apply at least 72 hours before departure. Approval is often fast, but leave time in case your application is reviewed.
You don't need both. A valid K-ETA makes you exempt from the e-Arrival Card.
Staying beyond up to 90 days risks fines and future-entry bans.
Malaysia → Korea entry FAQ
Do Malaysian passport holders need a visa for Korea?
No — for short-term tourism, Malaysian passport holders enter Korea visa-free and can stay up to 90 days. You do not apply for any tourist visa.
Do I need K-ETA?
Yes. Malaysia is not on the temporary K-ETA waiver list, so you must apply for K-ETA before boarding — at the official site k-eta.go.kr.
How much is K-ETA and how long is it valid?
It costs KRW 10,000 (about US$8), is valid for 3 years, and allows multiple entries. Apply only at k-eta.go.kr.
Do I also need the e-Arrival Card?
No — if you hold a valid K-ETA you're exempt from the e-Arrival Card. You file one or the other, not both.
How long can I stay?
Up to 90 days, for tourism.
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 the current rules before you travel:
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.