South Korea ETA for South African Citizens

In some cases, travelers may need a South Korea visa for South African citizens, but not for short-term visits.

It is not necessary to get a South Korea visa for South Africans if the traveler registered for the K-ETA online. This visa waiver allows nationals of South Africa to visit South Korea visa-free.

South Africans with a K-ETA can enter the Republic of Korea for short stays for tourism or business without needing a visa.

When do I need a visa to go to Korea from South Africa?

Travelers must get a visa for South Korea from South Africa if they plan to stay in the country long-term and/or engage in activities other than tourism and business. This may include any of the following:

For short-term visits, it is much quicker and easier to apply for the K-ETA from South Africa online.

How Does the Korea ETA for South Africans Work?

K-ETA is designed for travelers who are eligible for visa-free travel to South Korea , including South African citizens. It is important to note that this is a visa waiver and not a visa.

The K-ETA system allows South Africans to authorize their trip to Korea quickly and easily online, without the hassle of going all the way to an embassy to deal with visa paperwork.

K-ETA Validity for South African Citizens

The K-ETA for South Africa is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. Travelers can use the visa waiver for multiple entries within this period, however each individual trip cannot exceed 30 days.

South African passport holders should bear in mind that overstaying a Korean ETA is against the law. It is punishable by fines and, depending on the length of stay after the ETA expiry date, can result in interdiction to obtain another visa waiver for South Korea.

South Africans can get their K-ETA visa waiver online in 3 simple steps:

The convenient online service means that South African passport holders can authorize their trip to South Korea without having to leave their home. Simply use a computer or device to apply.

If you need your K-ETA immediately, try our priority service — your Korea visa waiver for South Africans will be processed in 1 hour.

Korea ETA Requirements for South Africans

To apply for a South Korean visa waiver, travelers must meet the K-ETA requirements for South Africa. These requirements include the following:

Korea Visa Waiver Application for South African Passport Holders

To obtain a Korean ETA for South Africa, applicants must first complete the Korean visa waiver application form online. They need to provide the following information:

In addition, applicants are asked several routine health and security-related questions.

Please note that although families and groups traveling together can apply for a K-ETA at the same time, each traveler, including minors, must submit an individual application form.

Passengers who require a K-ETA urgently can use the priority service to get their visa waiver within 1 hour of applying.

What is the ETA Korea processing time for South Africans?

The K-ETA processing time for South Africa is very short. Candidates will in most cases receive their visa waiver within 2 business days of submitting the application.

Travelers from South Africa can use the priority service to get a Korean ETA within an hour. This is particularly useful for last-minute trips and for passengers who have forgotten to get their K-ETA.

The approved Korea ETA will be sent in PDF format via email.

When Should South Africans Apply for a South Korea Visa Waiver?

South African nationals can apply for a K-ETA as soon as they book their trip to South Korea. It is advisable to begin the application process at least 2 weeks before traveling. If there are any mistakes in the registration form, candidates will be asked to start a new application, which may lead to significant delays.

In case of emergency or trips booked at the last minute, we offer a priority service to allow South African applicants to get their Korean ETA within 1 hour.

K-ETA processing fee for South African nationals

South African applicants are required to pay the K-ETA processing fee before submitting the form.

The payment is done through a secure online system using a debit or credit card authorized for online transactions.

Requirements to Enter South Korea from South Africa: Documents Required

To travel to South Korea from South Africa, passengers will need the following documents:

The K-ETA and visas cover entry to the whole country, including Seoul, Busan, and other major cities. There is no separate Seoul visa for South Africans. Your K-ETA will permit you to visit South Korea’s capital city.

It is also advisable to check South Korea’s latest COVID-19 travel restrictions. There may be extra entry requirements, such as a vaccination certificate or negative test result. These rules may change frequently.

Traveling from South Africa to South Korea with a K-ETA

South African citizens are required to travel to South Korea on the same passport that they used for the K-ETA application.

Likewise, South African dual nationals with multiple passports must make sure that they enter the country with the passport they applied with, or they will be denied entry.

Applicants with a South African passport must print their ETA Korea and present it in paper form with their passport to the border immigration official in South Korea.

The easiest way to travel from South Africa to the Republic of Korea is by plane. There are many flights available from cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg to Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. Most routes have multiple stopovers.

Embassy of South Korea in South Africa

South Africans do not need to go to an embassy to apply for a South Korean visa, as they are eligible for the K-ETA.

Only travelers who intend to stay in South Korea for longer than 90 days, or to work or study, need to obtain a traditional visa.

South Korean Embassy in South Africa is located at the following address:

265 Melk Street

Nieuw Muckleneuk

Pretoria 0181

Office hours: Monday-Friday, 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00