The Republic of Korea has taken several steps in easing its entry restrictions for international travelers. Airports are now operating at pre-pandemic levels as the country aims to encourage tourism for summer 2022. As of June 8, 2022, unvaccinated individuals no longer have to quarantine on arrival. Before this, only fully vaccinated passengers could avoid
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ETA South Korea eVisa
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▾South Korea ETA Information
The online South Korea visa waiver, or K-ETA, is an electronic travel authorization.
It permits eligible citizens to visit South Korea for short stays for tourism, visiting family and friends, and business activities such as attending meetings and seminars.
The South Korea K-ETA is a multiple–entry online visa waiver valid for 2 years from approval. It allows the holder a stay of between 30–180 days per entry, depending on their nationality.
The ETA for South Korea is designed to make it quicker and easier for foreign visitors to authorize their trip, using a simple online application system.
As well as speeding up the application process and streamlining border control checks, the K-ETA also improves security checks. This makes traveling to South Korea safer than ever before.
Eligible citizens from 49 countries can now apply for a South Korea visa waiver through the simple Korean ETA application online in just a few minutes.
To visit the country for purposes other than those permitted with the South Korea ETA, or for longer consecutive stays, you should contact the nearest consulate or embassy of South Korea for information on other South Korea travel visa types.
Highlights
Multiple entry online travel authorization
For tourism or business purposes
Permits a stay of between 30–180 days with each entry
Valid for 2 years from approval
What is Necessary ?
Valid passport
Recent color photograph, passport-sized
Current email address
Valid debit/credit card
South Korea ETA Requirements
Submitting a South Korea K-ETA application online is very simple. First, you must meet a few basic South Korea visa requirements.
The following documents are required for a South Korea ETA online application:
- A valid passport from an eVisa-eligible country
- A valid debit or credit card to pay the Korea ETA fee
- A current email address at which to receive a copy of the approved ETA for South Korea
- A passport-sized photo in color.
Once approved, applicants will be able to present a printed copy of the approved K-ETA alongside their passport to gain entry to South Korea at a border entry point.
The passport you use to travel to South Korea must be the same one used to complete the ETA application form. Dual nationals with multiple passports should keep this in mind.
Countries Eligible for South Korea
Citizens from the countries listed below are eligible to apply online to enter South Korea
Countries Eligible for South Korea
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Oman
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of Cyprus
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
Countries waiting to be confirmed soon for K-ETA
Next Countries Eligible for South Korea
South Korea K-ETA Application Steps
STEP 1
Complete online applicationSTEP 2
Confirm PaymentSTEP 3
Receive approved VisaComplete the South Korea K-ETA online application
You can fill out the simple South Korea ETA application form in a matter of minutes by supplying basic personal data, passport information, and travel details. You will also need to upload your passport-style photograph and provide an email address to receive the Korean visa waiver.
Before submitting the application, you should also ensure that all the information supplied on the form is accurate. By checking that all of your details are free of mistakes, you can avoid any unnecessary processing delays that can sometimes result from small errors in the personal data provided.
Confirm the K-ETA Payment
Before submitting the South Korea K-ETA application, you will also need to complete payment of the mandatory processing fee. This fee can be paid through our secure online system using the details of a valid credit or debit card authorized for electronic transactions.
Receive your approved ETA for South Korea
Once processed, usually within 1-2 business days, your approved K-ETA for South Korea is sent to the current email address you supplied on the application form. You can then print a copy to present alongside your passport when boarding a flight to South Korea and to immigration authorities upon arrival in the country.
Covid Update for South Korea
Last update: 16/06/2022
International travelers can apply for a South Korea ETA to visit the country. All passengers over the age of 6 must have either a negative COVID-19 PCR, RT-PCR, LAMP, NAAT, NEAR, SDA, or TMA test result taken within 2 days before departure, or a negative antigen test taken at most 1 day before. Transit through South Korea is currently limited to 24 hours. Those transiting to China must enter South Korea to get a green QR code with a “HDC” mark. Visa exemptions for several nationalities have been suspended, with some exceptions. Check the requirements for travelers of different nationalities to enter the country according to the South Korea visa policy.
Country policy
South Korea Visa Policy
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Familiarize yourself with the visa policy South Korea and discover the visa requirements for your nationality.
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▾FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
South Korea Visa FAQ
What is the South Korea K-ETA?
The South Korea K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization that is now a mandatory requirement for visa-exempt travelers from 49 countries. It is quick and easy to obtain — simply apply online and receive the ETA by email.
How long is my South Korean ETA valid for? When does it expire?
The K-ETA for South Korea is valid for 2 years from the date of approval.
Which countries need the K-ETA for South Korea?
Citizens of the following visa-exempt countries can apply for the K-ETA:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guyana
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Palau
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Cyprus
- Romania
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
How do I apply for an electronic travel authorization for South Korea?
You can apply for an ETA to South Korea through a simple online form which only takes a few minutes to complete.
How much does the ETA for South Korea cost?
From September 2021, it’s a mandatory requirement to pay ETA fee. This fee is lower than the price of embassy visa for South Korea.
Do I require a visa for South Korea?
It depends on your nationality. There are various Korea visa-free countries whose citizens can avoid a lengthy in-person visa application by registering online for the K-ETA. Nationals of other countries are required to obtain one of the South Korea visa types in order to travel to the country. Use the visa checker at the top of this page to find out the requirements for your nationality.
Is the South Korea K-ETA a single or multiple entry visa waiver?
The South Korea K-ETA is a multiple entry visa waiver for Korea. It allows the holder to stay in South Korea for 30 days to 3 months with each entry, depending on their nationality.
What should I do if I have made a mistake on my application for a South Korea ETA?
Applicants should carefully check all the information provided on the South Korea ETA application is correct before submitting the online form. This is because even small errors may result in a delay in receiving the K-ETA, or even the rejection of the application.
How long does it take to get an electronic travel authorization for South Korea?
The standard online South Korea visa processing time is within 2 business days. In many cases, travelers receive their K-ETA even sooner. Applicants are advised to submit the K-ETA form at least 48 hours before boarding a flight to ensure enough time for processing and approval.
How can I check the status of my South Korea visa waiver application?
ETA applicants will be updated on their South Korea visa application status by email. If you applied through this site, you can also use the OnlineVisa Manager to check your ETA status.
Where can I apply for a South Korea visa?
You can apply for the K-ETA for South Korea online to visit the country for short periods for tourism or business activities. This is by far the fastest and easiest way to get authorization to enter the country.
To obtain a visa to visit for longer periods or other purposes, such as a South Korea work visa or business visa, applicants will need to contact the nearest diplomatic office of South Korea for further information.
Can I extend my ETA in South Korea?
It is not possible to extend an ETA in South Korea. Once the K-ETA expires, it will be necessary for the traveler to submit a new application from outside of South Korea to be able to continue to the country.
Do I need to print a copy of the South Korean tourist K-ETA?
Yes, it is mandatory to print a copy of the approved K-ETA to present to board a flight to South Korea and to border authorities on arrival, alongside the traveler’s passport.
Do I need a travel authorization if I am in transit in South Korea?
In general, it is not necessary to obtain a South Korea transit visa to pass through the country to an onward destination for less than 24 hours, if the traveler remains within the airport transit area.
However, citizens of the following countries do require a transit visa for South Korea no matter the transit time:
- Egypt
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
Why was my ETA for South Korea application denied?
Small errors in the information provided on the South Korea online visa waiver form could result in the denial of the ETA or a delay in processing the application. Applicants are advised to carefully ensure all the data entered on the form is correct and matches the details of their passport before submitting the form, to ensure approval of the K-ETA.
Is the South Korea ETA easy to get?
Yes. Applicants can complete the simple online form for the South Korea ETA in just a few minutes, to receive an approved electronic travel authorization sent via email.
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