Korea Entry Guide from Thailand
- No tourist visa — Thai 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.
- Carry your return ticket, hotel booking and proof of funds — approval isn't automatic.
No tourist visa needed — but you must apply for K-ETA.
Thai passports are visa-free for short tourism, so there's no visa to apply for. But Thailand 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–Thailand visa-waiver agreement, Thai 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.
Thailand 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.
A K-ETA (and the final immigration decision on arrival) is not guaranteed. Apply early, answer honestly, and keep your trip genuinely for tourism — carry your return ticket, hotel booking and proof of funds. If you hold a valid K-ETA you're exempt from the e-Arrival Card.
- visanot required (short-term tourism)
- stayup to 90 days
- ketarequired
- keta fee₩10,000
- keta valid3 years
ⓘ Visa-free 90 days under the Korea–Thailand visa-waiver agreement. Thailand 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). K-ETA approval is not guaranteed and immigration makes the final decision — apply early and keep your trip genuinely for tourism. Confirm at k-eta.go.kr before booking.
Your entry steps
- 1
Confirm you're visa-free
Thai 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
Prepare your travel proof
Have your return/onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and proof of funds ready. Approval and entry aren't automatic, so genuine tourism documents help.
- 4
At immigration
With a valid K-ETA you don't file the e-Arrival Card. Show your passport and travel documents 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 to show genuine tourism on arrival.
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 — often checked for Thai travelers.
Confirmed hotel/stay for your first nights (asked when you apply for K-ETA).
Cards, cash, or a recent statement showing you can support your trip.
Common entry mistakes
It isn't. Some countries are waived from K-ETA through 2026, but Thailand 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 not guaranteed, so leave time in case your application is reviewed.
Carry your return ticket, hotel booking and proof of funds. Thai visitors are commonly asked for these at immigration.
Staying beyond up to 90 days risks fines and future-entry bans.
Thailand → Korea entry FAQ
Do Thai passport holders need a visa for Korea?
No — for short-term tourism, Thai 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. Thailand 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.
Is K-ETA approval guaranteed?
No. A K-ETA, and the final decision by immigration on arrival, are not guaranteed. Apply early, answer honestly, and carry genuine tourism documents — return ticket, hotel booking and proof of funds.
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. Working or studying requires the appropriate visa.
Do I need a return or onward ticket to enter Korea?
Immigration can ask for proof of onward or return travel and where you'll be staying. Keep your ticket and accommodation details handy, even on a visa-free entry.
When should I apply for K-ETA before my trip?
Apply on the official site k-eta.go.kr well before departure — the official guidance is to apply several days ahead — and leave buffer time in case anything needs fixing.
What happens at the airport when I arrive?
With an approved K-ETA you're exempt from the e-Arrival Card. Clear immigration and customs, and keep your accommodation and return-ticket details handy.
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.