Korea Entry Guide from Malaysia
- No tourist visa — Malaysian passports are visa-free for up to 3 months.
- 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.
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.
· 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.
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.
Under the Korea–Malaysia visa-waiver agreement, Malaysian passport holders enter Korea visa-free for short-term tourism and can stay up to 3 months. There is no tourist-visa application to file.
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.
- VisaVisa-free; K-ETA unless exempt
- StayUp to 3 months
- K-ETAVisa-free; K-ETA unless exempt
- Fee₩10,000
- Valid for3 years or passport expiry, whichever first
ⓘ 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
Confirm you're visa-free
Malaysian passports enter Korea visa-free for short tourism (up to 3 months) — there's no tourist visa to apply for.
- 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
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
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.
Valid for the duration of your stay.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Apply early enough to receive approval before boarding. K-ETA assessment can take more than 72 hours; no approval time or entry is guaranteed.
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.
Staying beyond up to 3 months 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 3 months. You do not apply for any tourist 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.
How long can I stay?
Up to 3 months, 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 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.