ETA South Korea for New Zealanders

New Zealanders can apply online for an electronic travel authorization to visit South Korea. The K-ETA is recommended when traveling from New Zealand to South Korea.

This page explains the benefits of applying for K-ETA for your trip to South Korea and how to get yours online.

Why Apply for the K-ETA for South Korea?

As a citizen of New Zealand, applying for a K-ETA is not currently mandatory but it is recommended.

If you hold a valid K-ETA, you do not need to submit an arrival card at the port of entry. This speeds up border processes when you arrive in the Republic of Korea from New Zealand.

The K-ETA requirement for nationals of New Zealand and more than 20 other countries has been temporarily waived to mark ‘Visit Korea’ Year.

Also, as the K-ETA for New Zealanders is valid for 3 years, you can apply now and use the authorization for multiple trips to South Korea.

How to Get a K-ETA from New Zealand

You can get your South Korea ETA from New Zealand online. It takes just a few minutes to apply. You need to:

Most applicants will receive the approved K-ETA for New Zealanders in 24-48 hours.

Travelers from New Zealand can now select the priority service to have their ETA processed in 1 hour.

Filling out the South Korea ETA form from New Zealand

To complete the K-ETA application form, travelers from NZ will need to provide:

Citizens of New Zealand who do not provide this information through the K-ETA application need to do so using an arrival card.

Documents You Need to Travel From New Zealand to Korea

These are the documents citizens of New Zealand need to clear Korean Immigration:

When do New Zealand citizens need a visa for South Korea?

Citizens of New Zealand need a visa to enter South Korea to:

Travelers from New Zealand can apply for several different types of South Korean visas. These include visas to work and study in South Korea.

South Korea Arrival cards for New Zealanders

New Zealand travelers need to complete a customs declaration before entering South Korea, they should check the duty-free allowances and what needs to be declared.

Travelers from New Zealand only need to complete an arrival card if they travel to Korea without a K-ETA. The card is filled out manually at the port of entry and submitted to immigration officials.

Travel to South Korea from New Zealand with a K-ETA

Holders of a K-ETA can use the travel authorization to travel to South Korea from several cities in New Zealand.

Direct flights to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, frequently operate from Auckland International Airport (AKL). A flight from Auckland to Seoul takes approximately 12 hours.

You can also travel to Seoul from Christchurch or Wellington on indirect flights, via connections in Auckland, Melbourne, or Sydney. Flight time on these services is around 15-20 hours.

South Korea Embassy in New Zealand

It is not necessary to apply for a South Korea visa from New Zealand from an embassy for tourism or business stays. New Zealanders can visit visa-free and the K-ETA for South Korea is exclusively online.

Those who require a South Korean visa for other purposes should contact their nearest embassy or consulate of South Korea in New Zealand. The main embassy is in Wellington, but there are also consular offices in Auckland and Christchurch: