After a 5-month preparation period, the South Korean government has confirmed that it will begin a trial of the K-ETA from May 3rd, 2021 before fully rolling out the Electronic Travel Authorization from September. The ETA for South Korea is being implemented for all South Korean visa-exempt nationalities in order to pre-screen visa waiver visitors
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The government of South Korea has confirmed the launch of the K-ETA Electronic Travel Authorization in September 2021. (The pilot period for some countries started on May 3) You can find updated information in the following article: onlinevisa.com/news/south-korea-confirms-k-eta-september-2021/
South Korea ETA Information
The online South Korea visa waiver, named 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 government is introducing the ETA for South Korea in order to expedite entry to the country at border checkpoints. It also allows the South Korean government to pre-screen visa-exempt travelers for any infectious diseases such as COVID-19 before arrival.
The K-ETA for South Korea. will first be available to select visa waiver nationalities in a trial run from May 2021. It will then become a mandatory requirement for all visa-exempt foreign nationals in September 2021.
Eligible citizens can apply for a South Korea visa waiver through the simple Korean ETA application online in just a few minutes.
Applicants can complete the South Korea ETA application form in just a few minutes with basic personal, passport, and travel information. It is also necessary to provide a current email address to which a copy of the approved South Korea travel visa will be sent.
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 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
In order to submit a South Korea K-ETA application, it is first necessary to meet the 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
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Guam
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- New Caledonia
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Slovenia
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
Application Steps
STEP 1
Complete online applicationSTEP 2
Confirm PaymentSTEP 3
Receive approved VisaCovid Update for South Korea
Last update: 07/04/2021
Visa exemptions have been suspended (except for airline crew, APEC Business Travel Card holders, and passengers with a diplomatic, official or service passport) and short-term visas granted prior to April 6 are no longer valid. Arrivals must undergo quarantine for 14 days and take a PCR test for COVID-19 within 3 days after landing in South Korea unless they have been issued with an Isolation Exemption Certificate. Travelers must present a completed Health Declaration Form and a Travel Record Declaration to the quarantine desk on arrival. Foreign nationals with a Re-Entry Permit who left the country after 1 June 2020 must have a medical certificate issued no more than 48 hours before departure in English or Korean. This certificate must either show a negative PCR test result for coronavirus or specify that the individual is symptom-free. Korean nationals, diplomats, government officials, and individuals with a diagnosis exemption form are exempt from needing a medical certificate. Transit through South Korea is only permitted if the traveler departs within 24 hours. Nationals of Egypt, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen may not transit. Citizens of Mongolia and Thailand may not transit if traveling to or from Mongolia or Thailand, respectively. Thai nationals are exempt from this if they have a Certificate of Entry issued by Royal Thai Embassy and a Fit to Fly health certificate in English issued at most 72 hours before departure. Passengers with an E-9 visa issued by Korea must present a completed ‘Confirmation of Self-quarantine’ form, which can be obtained at the local EPS center, upon arrival. Passengers over the age of 5, with the exception of nationals of South Korea, must have a printed medical certificate in English or Korean (or accompanied by a certified English or Korean translation) with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point. The name must match the name on the traveler’s passport, and the certificate must also contain the date of birth and the name of the issuing laboratory. Accepted tests are AMP, PCR, SDA and TMA. Passengers arriving from the Philippines must have a certificate issued by an approved laboratory. The certificate requirement does not apply to nationals of South Korea or passengers under the age of 5. All other passengers are subject to quarantine and a Coronavirus (COVID-19) RT-PCR test on the 6th day of their quarantine at their own expense. Nationals of South Korea over the age of 5 arriving without a medical certificate showing a COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point are subject to quarantine for 14 days at their own expense They must also have an “Agreement to Facility Quarantine” form. 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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▾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 will become a mandatory requirement for all visa-exempt travelers by September 2021.
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?
From May 2021, citizens of the following visa-exempt countries will be able to apply for the K-ETA as part of the trial run:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Guam
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Nicaragua
- New Caledonia
- Palau
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- San Marino
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Slovenia
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vatican
- Venezuela
However, by September 2021, it will be a mandatory requirement for travelers from all 110 countries identified by the visa policy of South Korea as visa-exempt to have an approved K-ETA to visit the country.
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?
The government online South Korea visa waiver fee is 10, 000 ₩ (9 USD). Although it is not necessary to pay the ETA fee during the trial period, this will become a mandatory requirement once the K-ETA is fully launched in September 2021.
Do I require a visa for South Korea?
All citizens not from Korea visa-free countries are required to obtain one of the South Korea visa types in order to travel to the country.
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 between 30-180 days 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 of the information provided on the South Korea ETA application is correct before submitting the online form. This is because even small may result in a delay in receiving the K-ETA, or even the rejection of the application form.
How long does it take to get an electronic travel authorization for South Korea?
The standard online South Korea visa processing time is within 1 business day. Applicants are advised to submit the K-ETA form at least 24 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 are able to check the South Korea visa application status directly on the government application portal.
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.
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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