South Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is required for all visa-exempt nationalities traveling to South Korea.
Some nationalities are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2024. The K-ETA is not required for travelers under the age of 17 and younger, or 65 and above.
The K-ETA application is entirely online and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Quick summary:
- Who requires it: All visa-exempt nationalities
- Validity: 3 years
- Allowed stay: Differs from 30 to 180 days depending on nationality
- Processing time: 72 hours
- Fee: 10,000 KRW
If you haven’t already, read the South Korea Visa Guide for general information on various visas for tourists, their requirements and eligibility.
Table of Contents
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Understanding K-ETA
K-ETA validity
K-ETA is valid for 3 years from the date of approval but not longer than your passport validity. Your approved K-ETA is linked to your passport, so if your passport expires in less than 3 years, your K-ETA will be issued until the expiration of your passport.
If you get a new passport due to renewal, loss, damage or correction, you must apply for a new K-ETA.
Duration of stay
The duration of stay differs depending on nationality. Most countries get either 30 or 90 days. See the “Eligibility” section below for details.
Allowed number of entries
K-ETA is multiple-entry. You can enter South Korea as many times as you want within the validity of your K-ETA. You can’t stay longer than the allowed duration of stay.
Some nationalities are limited in the number of days they can stay within any 180-day period See the “Eligibility” section below for more information.
Allowed ports of entry
With a K-ETA, you can enter South Korea from any airport or seaport.
When to apply
The standard processing time of the South Korea ETA is 72 hours. It can take longer depending on individual circumstances or when the demand for applications is high.
Given the long validity of K-ETA, I recommend applying for it as soon as you have concrete plans to travel to South Korea.
- Earliest: 6 months before traveling
- Latest: 72 hours before traveling
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K-ETA Requirements
K-ETA eligibility and allowed stay
6 months
- Canada
90 days
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Grenada
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kuwait *
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal *
- Qatar
- Romania *
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
60 days
- Lesotho
- Russia *
30 days
- Albania
- Andorra
- Bahrain
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brunei
- Cyprus
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Kazakhstan #
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- Oman
- Palau
- Paraguay
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Tuvalu
- Vatican City
* Total stay must not exceed 90 days within any 180 days
# Total stay must not exceed 60 days within any 180 days
The K-ETA is not required for visitors aged 17 or younger as well as those 65 or above.
NOTE
The age is taken on the date of entry. If your child is 17 now, but turning 18 before you travel to South Korea, he/she needs to apply for a K-ETA.
Temporary K-ETA exemption until 31 December 2024
The following nationalities are exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2024. You may decide to apply anyway in which case you won’t have to fill an arrival card.
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guam
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lichtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Palau
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vatican City
Documents required
The following documents are required to apply for K-ETA.
- Valid passport
- Scan of passport bio page (optional, must be less than 20MB in JPG format)
- One passport-size photo or selfie (if applying using the mobile app)
- A credit or debit card for fee payment
Photo requirements
You must upload one digital portrait photo that meets the following requirements.
- Photo must be in color against a light-color background
- Face must be clearly visible, with eyes open and looking straight
- Prescription glasses are allowed, but sunglasses, hats and scarves are not allowed
- Religious head covering is allowed as long as it doesn’t obscure the face
- Clothing with minimal color or pattern is recommended
- Photo file size should be less than 20 MB, and in JPG format
If using the mobile app, the file size and format are automatically adjusted for your selfie.
K-ETA fee
The K-ETA fee is 10,000 KRW, payable by card during the application process. There is a 3% card processing fee.
Processing time
The standard processing time of the K-ETA is 72 hours. However, the processing can take longer in instances when there is increased demand for K-ETA applications. It’s recommended to apply as early as possible.
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K-ETA Application Process
How to apply for K-ETA
The K-ETA application process is incredibly simple and quick. Follow the below steps to apply for your K-ETA.
- Step 1: Navigate to the Official K-ETA Application Website and select your nationality
- Step 2: Enter your email address
- Step 3: Enter your passport information
- Step 4: Enter personal information and upload photo
- Step 5: Review information
- Step 6: Pay the fee
- Step 7: Submit the K-ETA application
That’s it, completed in less than 10 minutes.
You can also apply using the free K-ETA App, which you can download from the Apple App Store and Google Play
You can also save the application and come back to it later to complete it. You will have to complete a saved application within 7 days. Otherwise, it will be deleted and you will have to start over again.
How to track K-ETA status
You can check the status of your K-ETA application by entering your information on the Check ETA Results page.
How to download approved K-ETA
Upon approval, you will receive the K-ETA in an email. You don’t need to print it. Keep it safe and show the K-ETA on your smartphone if requested.
How to contact K-ETA customer service
You can submit a question about the K-ETA on the Ask Us page of the web portal. You will receive an answer on your email.
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Entry Procedure at the Border
The K-ETA is electronically linked to your passport, so you may not need to show your approved K-ETA. But if asked, you can always show your approved K-ETA on your mobile phone.
You don’t need to fill out an arrival card if you hold a K-ETA. Your information is automatically updated on your e-Arrival Card.
If your information entered in the K-ETA application such as the purpose of travel or address in South Korea has changed before travel, you must update the information in your e-Arrival Card.
The same applies when re-entering South Korea on an already approved and used K-ETA. If any information changed since your last visit such as your purpose of travel or address in South Korea, you must update your e-Arrival Card.
To update your e-Arrival Card, you can click on “Edit Information” in the K-ETA portal or mobile app and follow the instructions to update your information.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply for K-ETA on arrival?
No, you must apply for the K-ETA before you travel. The absolute minimum time is 24 hours before traveling but I advise you to apply well in advance.
What happens if I don’t have a K-ETA?
Unless you’re temporarily exempt, you won’t be allowed to board the plane if you don’t have a valid K-ETA.
Is K-ETA required for transit in South Korea?
If you’re not leaving the transit area and not clearing immigration, then you don’t need to apply for a K-ETA.
Is K-ETA required for Jeju Island?
You are required to have a K-ETA when you travel to Jeju Island despite the island having a separate visa policy.
