South Korea entry requirements for UK Citizens

Korean ETA Application for UK Citizens

The online visa waiver for South Korea—the K-ETA—is a required or recommended travel document for visa-exempt visitors.

It’s quick and easy to submit an application for the K-ETA from the UK. The electronic form can be completed in a matter of minutes.

Travelers can find further details about the requirements for British citizens to visit South Korea and the electronic visa waiver below.

Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for Korea?

British citizens can travel to South Korea and stay for up to 90 days without a visa.

Usually UK passport holders need a K-ETA to enjoy visa-free travel, however this requirement has been temporarily waived and is now optional.

Though the ETA for Korea is currently not mandatory, British citizens can skip the arrival card requirement if they have a valid K-ETA. This saves time as the visa waiver can be obtained in advance, rather than completing an arrival card once visitors are in South Korea.

ETA Korea for UK Passport Holders

Key facts about the K-ETA for British citizens:

  • 90-day maximum stay
  • 3-year validity
  • Multiple entries
  • Motive of visit: tourism, business purposes, participate in events or meetings, visiting relatives

In addition to South Korea, several countries across the globe are now using electronic visa waivers. The United States, Canada, and Britain have similar schemes to allow safe visa-free entry.

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Documents Required to apply for K-ETA from UK

  • British citizens need a valid UK passport to get a visa waiver for Korea. Passport details are required to complete the online form.
  • British ETA applicants need to provide a passport-style recent photograph of themselves
  • It is also necessary to pay the K-ETA processing fee using a valid debit/credit card.

South Korea K-ETA application for UK citizens

British citizens can get their K-ETA online in just 3 simple steps:

  1. Fill out the application form for the K-ETA
  2. Pay the ETA fee and submit the request
  3. Receive the approved visa waiver by email

It is fast, efficient, and 100% electronic. Applicants are not required to travel in person to the Embassy of South Korea in London at any point.

K-ETA processing is fast. Most British applicants receive the approved K-ETA in 1 to 2 business days, or 1-hour using the priority service.

Travel to South Korea from the United Kingdom with a K-ETA

There are direct flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul. The non-stop flight takes around 11 hours.

Flights from the UK to South Korea with 1 stop are available from other major cities:

  • Edinburgh to Seoul
  • Manchester to Busan
  • London to Jeju
  • Newcastle to Seoul

south korea bristish requirements

South Korea Entry Requirements for British citizens

British nationals must have the following documents to gain visa-free entry to South Korea:

  • Valid UK passport
  • South Korean ETA OR arrival card
  • Customs declaration
  • Ticket for onward or return travel

Following the K-ETA launch, passengers on flights from the UK to Korea with an ETA are no longer required to complete a card on arrival. Border checks are also now faster, British arrivals can expect to spend less time at the airport.

Some COVID-19 entry restrictions for South Korea for UK nationals may still be in place. British citizens must consult the latest Korean COVID-19 requirements before arranging travel.

Register with the UK Embassy in South Korea

British tourists are advised to register with the UK Embassy during their stay in South Korea. Registered UK nationals can travel with greater peace of mind and enjoy a number of security benefits.

By providing the British Embassy with their details, travelers can be:

  • Provided with the latest safety information
  • Located quickly in exceptional circumstances
  • Contacted by family back home in an emergency

It's easy to enroll. British passport holders should simply select the UK Embassy Registration option when applying for their K-ETA through this website.

South Korean Embassy in the United Kingdom

British nationals who are eligible for the K-ETA do not need to visit the South Korean Embassy. The online Korean visa waiver application can be completed from home.

Anyone who does not meet all the ETA requirements needs a South Korean visa from the embassy. Several different types of Korean visas are available including work and study visas.

The Embassy of South Korea in the UK is in London, at the following address:

60 Buckingham Gate, Westminster, SW1E 6AJ, London, UK

Visiting South Korea from the UK: FAQ

Can I travel from the UK to South Korea? Toggle faqs

Yes, British citizens can visit the Republic of Korea with the relevant travel documents. They must also meet all other entry requirements, such as any COVID-19 paperwork.

Do I need a visa for South Korea from the UK? Toggle faqs

Visa requirements for UK citizens depend on length of stay and the reason for visiting South Korea.

British citizens do not require a visa for short-term stays (a maximum of 3 months) for tourism, family visits, or selected business activities.

Can British passport holders obtain a South Korea visa on arrival? Toggle faqs

No, British citizens are not eligible to obtain a South Korea visa on arrival. UK nationals who require a Korean visa should obtain one from the Embassy of South Korea in London or the consulate in Edinburgh.

How long does it take for UK citizens to obtain a K-ETA? Toggle faqs

You can complete the K-ETA application form from the UK in around 10 minutes. The process is 100% online with no need to travel to the South Korean embassy.

ETA processing is also fast. Most British applicants receive the approved K-ETA in 1 to 2 business days.

UK citizens who need the K-ETA urgently can apply using the priority service to receive the electronic travel authorization in just 1 hour.

Can UK passport holders enter South Korea visa-free? Toggle faqs

British citizens can gain visa-exempt entry to South Korea for up to 90 days. Usually they need a valid K-ETA visa waiver to enter visa-free, however this is now an optional document.

British citizens with a valid K-ETA will be exempt from filling out an arrival card. Travelers will be able to move through immigration more quickly.

How long can a citizen of the UK stay in South Korea? Toggle faqs

Citizens of the UK can stay for 90 days in South Korea without a visa.

For longer consecutive stays, British passport holders must apply for a visa for South Korea.