SILENSEA
Korea Travel Guide

K-ETA and Korea Entry Requirements (2026 Guide)

Do you need a K-ETA for Korea in 2026? How the temporary exemption works, what the free e-Arrival Card is, and how to avoid fake agency sites.

Published 6 min read

Contents
  1. Key takeaways
  2. What a K-ETA is and who needs one
  3. The temporary exemption through 31 December 2026
  4. How to apply if you do need one
  5. The e-Arrival Card
  6. Passport validity and other entry basics
  7. Common mistakes
  8. FAQ
  9. Do I need a K-ETA for Korea in 2026?
  10. How much does a K-ETA cost?
  11. What is the e-Arrival Card and when do I submit it?
  12. Can I enter Korea with just my passport?
  13. Sources

If your country is on Korea’s temporary K-ETA exemption list, you can enter without a K-ETA until 31 December 2026, but you will usually need to file the free e-Arrival Card instead. Everyone else who travels visa-free must hold an approved K-ETA before boarding. This guide explains how to tell which group you are in, using only the official government sites.

Key takeaways

  • Nationals already exempt from K-ETA stay exempt through 31 December 2026 (KST); confirm your passport on the official site.
  • Apply for a K-ETA only at k-eta.go.kr or its official app, because look-alike agency sites charge extra fees.
  • Visitors without a valid K-ETA generally submit the free e-Arrival Card, which opens three days before arrival.

What a K-ETA is and who needs one

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online pre-screening for people who can enter Korea without a visa for short stays, such as tourism, visiting relatives, attending events or conferences, or non-profit business meetings. It is not a visa. Instead, it is a permission you obtain before you fly, linked to your passport.

The basics, as described on the official K-ETA site:

  • The application fee is 10,000 KRW and it is not refunded if you are refused or change your plans.
  • Reviews can take up to about 72 hours, so apply at least three days before departure.
  • An approval is generally valid for three years, or until your passport expires if that comes first, and can be used for multiple trips.
  • If you get a new passport, you need a new K-ETA.

Only visa-free nationalities can apply. If your nationality is not on the official eligibility list, you need a visa instead, and the Korea Visa Portal or your nearest Korean embassy is the right place to check. Look up your exact passport on the official page rather than trusting a copied list on a third-party website, since these lists go out of date.

The temporary exemption through 31 December 2026

In a notice dated 23 December 2025, Korea’s Ministry of Justice extended the temporary K-ETA exemption by one more year, so it now runs from 1 January to 31 December 2026 (KST). The extension covers the countries and regions that were already exempt. It does not add new ones.

A few practical points from that notice:

  • If you start an application and your passport is covered, the site shows a pop-up telling you that you are exempt.
  • You can still choose to apply and pay the fee. The main benefit of holding an approved K-ETA is that you do not need to submit an arrival card.
  • A K-ETA you already hold stays valid until its own expiry date.

The exemption is temporary. Nobody can promise what happens after 31 December 2026, so if your trip is in early 2027, check the K-ETA site again a few weeks before you fly.

How to apply if you do need one

Have these ready before you start:

  1. A passport that is valid for your whole stay.
  2. An email address you can access while travelling.
  3. A recent passport-style photo in the format the site asks for.
  4. A credit or debit card that works for online payments in Korean won.

The whole process is online. The official site itself warns about similar-looking websites that offer “agency” or “fast-track” K-ETA services for a much higher price. The genuine site ends in go.kr. If a website asks for far more than the official fee, close it.

Worked example (illustrative only). The fee is fixed at 10,000 KRW. Suppose your card issuer converts at 1,340 KRW per US dollar and adds a 3% foreign transaction fee:

  • Base fee: 10,000 ÷ 1,340 ≈ 7.46 USD
  • Card fee: 7.46 × 0.03 ≈ 0.22 USD
  • Total: about 7.68 USD

Your real cost depends on your card and that day’s exchange rate. An agency site charging 30 USD or more for the same approval is charging you roughly four times the real cost.

The e-Arrival Card

The e-Arrival Card is the online version of the paper arrival form you used to fill in on the plane. Key facts from the official e-Arrival Card site:

  • It is free.
  • You can submit it from three days before your arrival date (Korean time) until you go through immigration.
  • It stays valid for 72 hours after submission. If you arrive later than that, you need to submit a new one.
  • Holders of a valid K-ETA, registered foreign residents, and certain other groups do not need to submit it. If you hold a K-ETA but enter on a visa, you still submit one.

The e-Arrival Card and the K-ETA are separate systems. People who are exempt from K-ETA in 2026 are usually the ones who need the e-Arrival Card, so do not skip it just because the K-ETA site said you were exempt. The official site has a short questionnaire that tells you whether you need to file.

Open passport page with several entry stamps resting on a dark table

Passport validity and other entry basics

Your passport should be valid for the full length of your stay, and many airlines prefer some extra validity beyond that. The number of days you may stay visa-free depends on your nationality. Short visa-free entries do not allow paid work. Immigration officers can still ask about your plans, your accommodation and your return ticket, so keep those details handy.

For anything unusual, such as dual nationality, a recent name change or a past refusal, check with the Korea Immigration Service or a Korean embassy before you book.

Once you have landed, the next step is getting into the city; see our guide to Incheon Airport to Seoul by AREX, bus or taxi. If you are still choosing your travel dates, the best time to visit Korea by season can help.

Common mistakes

  • Paying an unofficial “agency” site instead of applying directly at k-eta.go.kr.
  • Assuming every visitor needs a K-ETA in 2026 without checking whether the temporary exemption covers your passport.
  • Forgetting the free e-Arrival Card when you do not hold a valid K-ETA.
  • Travelling on a new passport with a K-ETA that was issued for your old one.

FAQ

Do I need a K-ETA for Korea in 2026?

If your passport is covered by the temporary exemption, you do not need one until 31 December 2026. Start an application on the official site to see whether the exemption pop-up appears. If it does, travel on your passport and file the e-Arrival Card if it applies to you.

How much does a K-ETA cost?

The official fee is 10,000 KRW, and it is not refundable. Card conversion fees may add a little on top. Any site charging much more is not the official one.

What is the e-Arrival Card and when do I submit it?

It is the free online arrival declaration that replaced the paper form. You can submit it from three days before arrival until immigration, and each submission is valid for 72 hours.

Can I enter Korea with just my passport?

Yes, if your nationality is visa-free, you are covered by the K-ETA exemption, and you meet the other entry conditions. You may still need to submit the e-Arrival Card, so check the official sites before you travel.

Sources

Last checked: 2026-10-10

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