Guides · Trip essentials

Korea Entry Requirements 2026: K-ETA, e-Arrival Card, What to Bring

Last checked: 2026-10-31

Do you need K-ETA?

K-ETA is an online travel authorization for visa-free visitors. It isn't a visa and doesn't guarantee entry. The immigration officer makes the final decision.

K-ETA is for short visits. The UK government's travel advice says working during a visa-free visit is illegal.

The 22 exempt places (until 31 December 2026)

• Asia: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao
• Americas: United States (including Guam), Canada
• Europe: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

The Ministry of Justice notice doesn't name countries in its text. This list comes from KPMG and EY. Embassy notices confirm Japan and the US, and EY lists Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau on a residency basis. To be sure, start a K-ETA application and scan your passport: exempt travelers see a "K-ETA exempt" pop-up.

Should exempt travelers get K-ETA anyway?

You can. It lets you skip the arrival report, but you pay the fee, and the fee isn't refunded if you're refused.

K-ETA basics

• Fee: 10,000 won (about US$7–8) per person, plus about 3% online fee. Cards include Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay and Alipay+.
• Processing: usually within 72 hours, sometimes longer. There's no express service.
• Validity: 3 years, or until your passport expires if sooner. A new passport needs a new K-ETA.
• You need: a valid passport, an email address, a face photo and a payment card.
• Email: the K-ETA site warns of Gmail delays and suggests another address. outlook.com and hotmail.com can be delayed too.

Landing in January 2027?

The exemption ends on 31 December 2026, Korea time. As of 30 October 2026 the K-ETA site shows no 2027 extension. Last year's notice came only on 23 December. Check the notices again in late December, and if nothing has changed, leave time to apply before your flight.

How to file the e-Arrival Card

This is the online version of the paper arrival card. It's separate from K-ETA, free, and there's no approval step. It comes in English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Russian.

1. Go directly to www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr.
2. Accept the terms and enter your email. A verification code step was added on 6 May 2026.
3. Enter your passport details.
4. Enter your arrival date, flight number and address in Korea. Have your departure date ready too. The departure flight number is optional.
5. Review and submit. Your issue number arrives by email.

Good to know:

• When: from 3 days before arrival, Korea time. The ministry's example: for a 29 March arrival, you can file from 27 March.
• Expiry: it lapses 72 hours after you submit, or once you clear immigration. File again for your next trip.
• No printout needed: you don't have to carry it, but knowing the issue number can help. Take a screenshot.
• Changes: you can edit it online until immigration. Your arrival date can only move within 3 days of first filing.
• Groups: up to 9 people on mobile, up to 1,000 on a computer. Someone such as a family member files for children under 14.
• Email: Gmail, Outlook.com, Hotmail.com and QQ.com may be slow or fail. Use another address or save your card.
• Be accurate: false details can lead to penalties or refused entry, even if someone files for you.

Is the paper card gone?

The official FAQ we checked on 30 October 2026 says that if you didn't file before arrival, you can complete an electronic or paper card before immigration. We found no notice ending the paper card, and GOV.UK also says paper forms are available. File online anyway to avoid lines at the airport.

What to bring

• Your physical passport. You'll also need it for ticket pickup and ID checks, so don't leave it at the hotel. See our guide How to Buy K-pop Concert Tickets in Korea as a Foreigner.
• Your e-Arrival issue number or screenshot.
• Your Korean address and flight numbers for the form.
• Return flight and hotel bookings on your phone. They aren't an official form, but they help if an officer asks.
• Customs limits: goods up to US$800. Alcohol up to 2 L and US$400 in total, 200 cigarettes, 100 ml of perfume. Under-19s get no duty-free alcohol or tobacco. Declare anything over. Voluntary declaration takes 30% off the customs duty. Undeclared goods can draw a 40% penalty, or 60% if it happens twice or more within two years.
• Cash: declare over US$10,000 or the equivalent.

Passport validity: airlines can run their own checks, so ask yours if your passport is close to expiry.

How to spot a fake site

• K-ETA is only on www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app. Korea has named no agencies and offers no express service. Korea's embassy in the Netherlands warned of one site charging about 20 times the fee.
• e-Arrival is free. The official site warns that look-alike or agency sites may ask for your details or a fee.
• Check that the address ends in go.kr. The top search result isn't always the government. Ignore words like "official" or "fast" and flag logos.
• Already paid? Call your card issuer, then confirm on the official site whether your K-ETA or arrival card really exists.

FAQ

Do Japanese citizens need K-ETA in 2026?

No, not until 31 December 2026, Korea time. You still file the e-Arrival Card from 3 days before you land. You can also pay for K-ETA to skip the arrival card.

Do US citizens and Taiwanese travelers need K-ETA?

Both are on the exempt list until 31 December 2026, and both still file the arrival card. The pop-up on the K-ETA application confirms your status.

Do I need both K-ETA and the e-Arrival Card?

Usually one or the other. A valid K-ETA waives the arrival report. If you're exempt from K-ETA, file the e-Arrival Card.

Is the e-Arrival Card free?

Yes. Any site charging a fee isn't the official service.