Travelers from more than 100 countries need a K-ETA to visit the Republic of Korea.
The K-ETA is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign visitors.
Clear immigration quickly with a K-ETA you do not need to submit an Arrival Card.
What Is the K-ETA?
K-ETA Korea stands for Korea Electronic Travel Authorization. It’s mandatory for most visa-exempt foreign visitors travelling to the Republic of Korea for tourism, business meetings, and other short-term stays.
Travellers from more than 100 countries may need a K-ETA to visit South Korea without a visa.
With an approved K-ETA, you do not need to submit an Arrival Card, helping you clear immigration more quickly.
With a K-ETA, you can visit Korea:
- For tourism, business meetings, and other short-term visits
- Multiple times, the K-ETA is valid for 3 years
- From 30 to 180 days, depending on your nationality
K-ETA makes borders safer and more efficient, improving the traveler experience.
K-ETA vs Korean Visa: Which Do You Need?
The table below shows the main differences between the K-ETA and a visa:
Travellers who need a regular visa can check the South Korea visa requirements before applying.
Who Needs an ETA for South Korea?
To find out if you need an electronic travel authorization for your trip, check South Korea’s entry requirements for your nationality. Visa-free stays range from 30 to 180 days.
Countries with required K-ETA
Passport holders from around 90 countries need a K-ETA to travel to South Korea visa-free. The K-ETA is mandatory for most visa-exempt visitors.
Africa
- Botswana
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Seychelles
- South Africa
- Tunisia
Americas
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Brazil
- Canada*
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States*
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Asia
- Bahrain
- Brunei Darussalam
- Hong Kong*
- Israel
- Japan*
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Macao*
- Malaysia
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore*
- Taiwan*
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
Europe
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria*
- Belgium*
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark*
- Estonia
- Finland*
- France*
- Germany*
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy*
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands*
- Norway*
- Portugal
- Poland*
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Spain*
- Sweden*
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom*
Oceania
- Australia*
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand*
- Palau
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
The K-ETA is recommended for nationals of an additional 22 countries(*). Passport holders from these nations will be exempt from K-ETA requirements until December 31, 2026.
Although not mandatory, travelers with a K-ETA do not need to fill out an Arrival Card, speeding up border procedures.
Exemptions from K-ETA requirement
Diplomatic, or UN passport holders do not need the K-ETA, even if they come from a visa-exempt country. The same exemption applies to visa holders and registered foreigners, USFK service members under SOFA, and aircraft and ship crew members.
ABTC holders, excluding U.S. and Canadian nationals, are also exempt from K-ETA requirements.
If you’re passing through South Korea in transit, and will not leave the airport, you do no need a K-ETA. However, if you intend to pass through immigration, you must apply for a travel authorization.
How to Apply for the K-ETA
It’s quick and simple to apply for the K-ETA. No need to visit an embassy or consulate, the application process is online from start to finish.
- Basic personal information
- Passport data
- Contact details
- Travel information
- Check your information is correct
- Pay the K-ETA processing fee
- Click submit to send your request
- Standard processing takes 1-2 days
- Print a copy of your K-ETA
- Get ready to travel to Korea!
Different ways to apply
Apply here for your K-ETA to get benefits and extra services not offered by the South Korean government site.
|
Service |
Our Site |
Government |
|---|---|---|
|
Streamlined online form |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Built-in handy tooltips |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Expert review of your application |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Error correction and amendments |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Photo formatting and editing |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Priority Processing option |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Add-on K-ETA Insurance available |
✅ |
❌ |
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100% refund if your K-ETA is denied |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Customer Support in 15+ languages |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Apply Options: |
Our Application | Government Application |
Priority Service: get your K-ETA in 1 hour
Left your application late and need a K-ETA urgently? The official application site can have long wait times. Use our K-ETA Priority Service for guaranteed 1-hour processing.
Avoid stress using our Priority Service if you:
- Book a last-minute flight to South Korea
- Forgot to apply for a K-ETA
- Did not realize you needed K-ETA
Simply select Priority Service when you reach the K-ETA payment page.
K-ETA Insurance: your money back if you can’t travel
With K-ETA Fee Protection you can get a full refund for your travel authorization if you cannot travel due to illness, flight cancelation, or other unexpected events.
Get your money back even if your K-ETA has been approved. To request a refund, access the Contact Form and select "I purchased a Fee Protection service and I’d like to claim a refund for a canceled trip".
Avoid losing the K-ETA fees by opting in for Fee Protection when you reach the payment page.
Documents You Need to Apply for the K-ETA
To apply for K-ETA, you just need:
Valid passport from an eligible country
Debit or credit card to pay the processing fee
That’s all. With these 3 items, you can get started with your K-ETA application right away.
Advantages of Traveling with the South Korean ETA
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If you have a K-ETA, you do not need to submit an Arrival Card. Take advantage of special ETA-only counters at airports for faster border checks. -
The K-ETA makes South Korea even safer. Even visitors who do not require a visa for South Korea will undergo security checks. -
The South Korea ETA application process is fully online—no interview and no need to attend an embassy or consulate. -
Priority Processing is available to receive the ETA within 1 hour.
FAQs About the K-ETA South Korea
What’s the difference between the South Korean ETA and a visa?
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The ETA Korea is not a visa. It is a travel authorization for foreigners who can visit South Korea short term without a visa.
A South Korea ETA application is online, while a visa is obtained at an embassy or consulate. It’s faster and easier to obtain an S. Korea ETA, fewer documents are required and there is no interview.
How long is my K-ETA valid?
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A South Korea ETA is valid for 3 years. You can use the same ETA to visit South Korea multiple times, no need to apply before every trip.
Your K-ETA is only valid with the passport you used to apply. If you renew your passport, you must apply for a new ETA.
How long can I stay in South Korea with the ETA?
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How long you can stay in South Korea with an ETA depends on your nationality. Visa-free stays in Korea range from 30 to 180 days. Check the K-ETA requirements for your nationality to find out more.
How long does the K-ETA approval take?
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You can fill out the K-ETA application form in minutes. Be sure to check you’ve entered all your information correctly.
Processing usually takes 24 to 48 hours, or 1 hour using the Priority Service. To avoid travel disruption, apply as soon as possible before your trip. You cannot fly to Korea without an approved K-ETA.
Do children need a K-ETA for South Korea?
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The South Korea ETA is not mandatory for travelers aged 17 and under. However, applying is still recommended as passengers with a K-ETA do not need to complete an Arrival Card. Adults traveling to Korea with children can complete the application on behalf of a minor.
Can I fill in my application in a language other than English?
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No, the South Korean ETA application form must be completed in English.
What happens if my K-ETA is denied?
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The decision to approve or deny a K-ETA application is made by the government of the Republic of Korea.
If your K-ETA is denied, you cannot use it to travel to South Korea. You must apply for the correct visa through a South Korean embassy or consulate before your trip.
If you applied through our service, you may be eligible for a 100% refund if your K-ETA is denied.
How do I check my KETA application status?
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If you apply through our service, you receive automatic updates about your KETA application status by email.
This means you do not need to keep checking manually for progress updates. We notify you when your application is submitted, updated, or approved.