Planning a trip to South Korea? What you need before you fly depends on your passport. Most visitors fall into one of three groups: travellers who need a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization), travellers who are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026, and travellers who need a tourist visa.
This guide explains South Korea visa requirements for 2026, how to apply for a K-ETA, when you need the e-Arrival Card and what to do if your passport needs a visa.
South Korea visa requirements at a glance
Your situation | What you need before you travel |
|---|---|
Your passport is on the K-ETA list | An approved K-ETA before you board |
Your passport is on the temporary exemption list | Nothing extra until 31 December 2026, but you must submit an arrival card |
You are 17 or younger, or 65 or older, on the day you arrive | No K-ETA (if your passport is on the K-ETA list) |
Your passport is not on the K-ETA list | A South Korea tourist visa |
Not sure which group you're in? Choose your passport on the MyVisitVisa website and we'll show you exactly what you need.
Which passports can visit South Korea without a visa?
Passport holders from more than 100 countries and regions can visit South Korea without a visa for short trips such as tourism, visiting family, events or business meetings. Paid work isn't allowed. These travellers need an approved K-ETA before they board their flight or ship, unless an exemption applies.
How long you can stay depends on your passport. Some examples from the official K-ETA list:
Allowed stay | Examples |
|---|---|
6 months | Canada |
3 months | Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland |
90 days | Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (British citizens), United States |
60 days | Lesotho |
30 days | Bahrain, Brunei, Fiji, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Africa |
A few passports have extra limits. For example, Kazakhstan passport holders can stay 30 days at a time, up to 60 days in any 180 days. Check the full list on the official K-ETA website before you book.
Your K-ETA doesn't extend your stay. A K-ETA is valid for 3 years, but each visit is still limited to the stay allowed for your passport.
The K-ETA temporary exemption (until 31 December 2026)
To support tourism, Korea's Ministry of Justice has extended the temporary K-ETA exemption until 31 December 2026. If your passport is on the exemption list, you can travel with just your passport. When you scan your passport on the K-ETA website, it tells you whether you're exempt.
The exemption covers these 22 countries and regions:
Asia: Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Singapore, Taiwan
Americas: Canada, United States (including Guam)
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Tip: exempt travellers can still apply for a K-ETA if they want to. The main benefit is that K-ETA holders don't have to submit an arrival card when they enter Korea. The normal fee applies.
Who else doesn't need a K-ETA?
According to the K-ETA website, you don't need to apply if you are:
17 or younger, or 65 or older, on the day you arrive
a Korean citizen, including dual nationals travelling on a valid Korean passport
a holder of a Korean visa or a registered foreign resident
a transit passenger who doesn't enter Korea. You do need a K-ETA if you enter Korea, for example to change your itinerary or collect your bags.
airline crew or a seafarer
an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holder
travelling on a diplomatic, official or UN passport
a cruise passenger
an active member of the US Armed Forces under the US-Korea Status of Forces Agreement
How to apply for a K-ETA
You can apply on the official K-ETA website (k-eta.go.kr) or the official K-ETA app, or let MyVisitVisa check and submit your application for you.
What you need
A valid passport
A valid email address
A recent passport-style photo
A credit or debit card to pay the fee
K-ETA fee
The official fee is KRW 10,000 (about US$7-8) per person, plus an online payment fee. It is non-refundable, even if your application is refused.
How long it takes
The K-ETA is usually assessed within 72 hours, but it can take longer when applications peak. There is no official fast-track, so apply at least 72 hours before you board, and earlier if you can. You must have your approval before you board. Applying after boarding, or once you're in Korea, can lead to refusal or entry problems.
How long a K-ETA is valid
A K-ETA is valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires if that's sooner. You can use it for multiple trips during that time.
Things that mean you need a new K-ETA
New passport: you need a new K-ETA, even if your old one hasn't expired.
Criminal record or infectious disease: if your details change, you need to apply again.
Changed travel plans: if your address in Korea, dates or contact details change, update them on the K-ETA website.
A K-ETA isn't a visa, and it doesn't guarantee entry. The final decision is made by the immigration officer when you arrive.
The e-Arrival Card
If you enter South Korea without a K-ETA, you must submit an arrival card. This includes exempt travellers and visa holders. The easiest way is the official e-Arrival Card (e-arrivalcard.go.kr), which you complete online within 3 days before you arrive.
If you have an approved K-ETA, you don't need to submit an arrival card.
South Korea tourist visa (C-3-9)
If your passport isn't on the K-ETA list, you need a visa before you travel. Travellers from many countries fall into this group, including India, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia. The usual visa for a holiday is the short-term tourist visa (C-3-9).
How to apply
Check the right visa for your trip on the official Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr).
Find the Korean embassy, consulate or visa application centre for where you live. Its website has the exact document checklist and appointment process.
Prepare your documents, pay the visa fee and submit your application.
Wait for a decision and collect your visa or visa grant notice before you fly.
Documents usually requested
Every embassy sets its own checklist, but you should expect to provide:
your passport and a completed application form
a recent passport photo
proof of funds, such as recent bank statements
your flight and accommodation bookings or a travel itinerary
proof of employment, study or business
an invitation letter and proof of your relationship, if you're visiting family or friends
proof of your residence status, if you're applying outside your home country
Processing times vary by embassy, so apply several weeks before your trip.
Tips for a smooth trip to South Korea
Check before you book. Entry rules, including the K-ETA exemption, can change. Confirm what applies to your passport before you pay for flights.
Use the same details everywhere. Your name, passport number and dates must match on your K-ETA or visa application, your bookings and your arrival card.
Apply early. Give yourself at least 72 hours for a K-ETA, and several weeks for a visa.
Know who you're dealing with. The official K-ETA fee is KRW 10,000. MyVisitVisa is a private company, not a government agency. Our price includes the government fee and our service fee, and we check your application before we submit it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a K-ETA for South Korea in 2026?
If your passport is on the K-ETA list and you aren't exempt, yes. You need an approved K-ETA before you board. Travellers from the 22 temporarily exempt countries and regions don't need one until 31 December 2026, and nor do travellers aged 17 or younger or 65 or older.
How long does a K-ETA take?
It's usually assessed within 72 hours, but it can take longer. Apply at least 72 hours before you board.
How much does a K-ETA cost?
The official fee is KRW 10,000 (about US$7-8) plus an online payment fee. It is non-refundable.
How long is a K-ETA valid?
3 years, or until your passport expires if that's sooner. Each visit is limited to the stay allowed for your passport.
Do I need an arrival card if I have a K-ETA?
No. K-ETA holders don't need to submit an arrival card. Everyone else submits one, most easily through the e-Arrival Card website within 3 days before arrival.
Is a K-ETA the same as a visa?
No. A K-ETA is an authorisation for visa-free travel. If your passport isn't on the K-ETA list, you need a visa instead.
Get ready for South Korea
Now you know the South Korea visa requirements for your passport. Whether you need a K-ETA or a tourist visa, MyVisitVisa checks your details, submits your application and keeps you updated until it's approved. Our friendly team is available 24/7 on WhatsApp.