Korea Electronic Travel Authorization

Expert assistance and essential information for your Korea Electronic Travel Authorization application

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What is the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization?

The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is an online travel authorization required for citizens of visa-exempt countries. It allows visa-free travel into South Korea for short-term visits, usually for tourism, business meetings, or family visits.

Launched in September 2021, this electronic authorization enables South Korean authorities to pre-screen travelers before their arrival, enhancing border security and streamlining the entry process.

Applying for Your K-ETA Online

The application process is quick and straightforward and can be completed entirely online. Once approved, eligible travelers can enter South Korea without any further steps, making the process faster and more convenient.

The application requires only a few basic details, such as passport information, travel plans, and personal data, and can typically be completed within minutes. After submitting the form, applicants usually receive their approval within a short period, often in less than 72 hours.

Having a valid ETA before departure ensures that traveling to South Korea is smooth and hassle-free.

Korea Authorization
Korea Authorization
Korea Authorization
K-ETA Benefits
  • Easy and fast online application
  • Valid for up to three years
  • Allows multiple entries within its validity period
  • More convenient to pass through border control since K-ETA holders are exempt from filling out an arrival card upon arrival.

Who We Are
and What We Offer

We are a trusted travel and tourism company committed to helping travelers by providing clear, up-to-date information and professional assistance with online visa and electronic travel authorization (ETA) applications. Please note that we are not affiliated with any government or official authority.

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With our support, travelers can apply for their travel authorization with confidence and peace of mind. Our team carefully reviews every detail to help ensure that applications are complete and accurate, allowing travelers to focus on planning an enjoyable and worry-free trip.

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Korea ETA Validity

Validity 3 years

The maximum validity period of a Korean ETA is three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If your passport is renewed or you discover that you provided incorrect information in your application, you must submit a new application.

What can I do
with the K-ETA?

A valid Korean ETA allows multiple visa-free visits to the country during its period of validity. It may be used for the following purposes:

Business purposes
(except profitable activities)

1

Participating in meetings or events

2

Visiting friends
and family

3

Tourism

4

Who Needs a K-ETA and How Long Can They Stay?

If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you must apply for the K-ETA for short trips to South Korea, unless you belong to an exempt group. For most travellers, the permitted duration of stay ranges from 30 to 90 days. If you intend to stay for a longer period, you must apply for the relevant visa instead.

The following list outlines the permitted duration of stay in South Korea, by nationality:

Duration of Stay 30 Days
Albania Albania
Andorra Andorra
Bahrain Bahrain
Bosnia-Herzegovina Bosnia-Herzegovina
Brunei Brunei
Cyprus Cyprus
Eswatini Eswatini
Fiji Fiji
Guyana Guyana
Holy See (The Vatican) Holy See (The Vatican)
Honduras Honduras
Kiribati Kiribati
Marshall Islands Marshall Islands
Mauritius Mauritius
Micronesia Micronesia
Monaco Monaco
Montenegro Montenegro
Nauru Nauru
New Caledonia New Caledonia
Oman Oman
Palau Palau
Paraguay Paraguay
Samoa Samoa
San Marino San Marino
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
Seychelles Seychelles
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands
South Africa South Africa
Tonga Tonga
Tunisia Tunisia
Tuvalu Tuvalu
UK British Subject UK British Subject
UK Dependent Territories UK Dependent Territories
UK National Overseas UK National Overseas
UK Overseas Citizen UK Overseas Citizen
UK Protected Person UK Protected Person
Show More
Duration of Stay 90 Days
Antigua-Barbuda Antigua-Barbuda
Argentina Argentina
Australia Australia
Austria Austria
Bahamas Bahamas
Barbados Barbados
Botswana Botswana
Brazil Brazil
Bulgaria Bulgaria
Chile Chile
Colombia Colombia
Costa Rica Costa Rica
Croatia Croatia
Czechia Czechia
Denmark Denmark
Dominica Dominica
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
Ecuador Ecuador
El Salvador El Salvador
Estonia Estonia
Finland Finland
France France
Germany Germany
Grenada Grenada
Guatemala Guatemala
Haiti Haiti
Hong Kong Hong Kong
Hungary Hungary
Iceland Iceland
Ireland Ireland
Israel Israel
Italy Italy
Jamaica Jamaica
Japan Japan
Kuwait Kuwait
Latvia Latvia
Lithuania Lithuania
Macao Macao
Malta Malta
Morocco Morocco
Nicaragua Nicaragua
Norway Norway
Panama Panama
Peru Peru
Poland Poland
Qatar Qatar
Romania Romania
Serbia Serbia
Singapore Singapore
Slovakia Slovakia
Slovenia Slovenia
Spain Spain
St Kitts-Nevis St Kitts-Nevis
St Lucia St Lucia
St Vincent St Vincent
Sweden Sweden
Taiwan Taiwan
Thailand Thailand
Trinidad-Tobago Trinidad-Tobago
Turkey Turkey
UK UK
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
Uruguay Uruguay
USA USA
Venezuela Venezuela
Show More
Duration of Stay 3 Months
Belgium Belgium
Greece Greece
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein
Luxembourg Luxembourg
Malaysia Malaysia
Mexico Mexico
Netherlands Netherlands
New Zealand New Zealand
Surinam Surinam
Switzerland Switzerland
Duration of Stay Special Cases
Canada Canada
6 months
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan
30 consecutive days, not exceeding 60 days within 180 days
Lesotho Lesotho
60 days
Portugal Portugal
90 consecutive days, not exceeding 90 days within 180 days
Russia Russia
60 consecutive days, not exceeding 90 days within 180 days

Who Doesn’t Need a Korean ETA?

Most nationals of visa-exempt countries are required to obtain a South Korean ETA before travelling to the country. However, some are exempt and do not need to apply.

Temporary exemptions (until 31 December 2026)

Nationals of the following countries are temporarily exempt from the authorization requirement (subject to change). However, they may still choose to apply to benefit from conveniences such as not having to submit an arrival card.

Australia Australia
Austria Austria
Belgium Belgium
Canada Canada
Denmark Denmark
Finland Finland
France France
Germany Germany
Hong Kong Hong Kong
Italy Italy
Japan Japan
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein
Macao Macao
Netherlands Netherlands
New Zealand New Zealand
Norway Norway
Poland Poland
Singapore Singapore
Spain Spain
Sweden Sweden
Switzerland Switzerland
Taiwan Taiwan
UK UK
USA USA
Show More
]

Exempt categories without a defined expiry

The following travellers do not need to apply, unless the rules change:

  • Holders of a valid South Korea visa
  • Travellers aged 17 and under
  • Travellers aged 65 and older
  • Diplomatic passport holders
  • Dual citizens holding a South Korean passport
  • Aircraft and ship crew members
  • USFK service members travelling on official business
  • UN passport holders

Important note
Exemptions and eligibility rules can change. Always verify the requirements for your nationality before applying and again before travelling.

How to Apply

You can apply for a K-ETA by completing the online application form and following these simple steps:

Requirements

While the K-ETA requirements are straightforward, certain documents need to be submitted and conditions met before applying.

Passport

You must hold a valid passport from an eligible country. It is recommended that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of arrival in South Korea.

Passport

Passport-Sized Photo

You must provide a recent passport-style photograph that accurately reflects your current appearance.

Passport-Sized Photo

Email Address

You must have a valid and active email address, as all application updates and your approval will be sent to this address.

Email Address

Payment method

You will be required to pay the application fee online, so a valid credit or debit card is necessary.

Payment method

Processing Time

72 hours

On average, most applications are processed within 72 hours. During peak travel periods, processing times may be longer, so applicants are advised to apply well in advance of their planned trip.

Processing Time

Traveling to Korea with an ETA

Here are some practical tips to remember and follow:

Tip 1

Update or reapply if your details change:

If any personal, passport, or travel details change after approval, you must update your information or submit a new application as required. Mismatched or outdated details may result in entry being denied.

Tip 2

Carry supporting documents:

You may be asked to show proof of onward or return travel, accommodation details, or sufficient funds upon arrival.

Tip 3

Approval does not guarantee entry:

This authorization permits travel to South Korea; however, final entry is determined by a Korea Immigration Service officer at the border.

Tip 4

Respect your permitted stay:

The maximum length of stay depends on your nationality. Overstaying may affect future travel eligibility.

Tip 4 Tip 4

Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a K-ETA

Submitting incorrect or incomplete information is one of the most common reasons for ETA refusals. To reduce the risk of rejection, avoid the following mistakes:

  • Entering personal details that do not exactly match the information shown on your passport.
  • Uploading a personal photo that does not meet requirements, such as poor quality or an unclear image.
  • Providing incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading information, including failing to disclose criminal history or health-related information when required.
  • Providing travel details that are incomplete, incorrect, or unverifiable.
  • Applying with a passport that has been replaced or renewed.

FAQ

You are only required to obtain a Korean ETA if you plan to leave the airport. If your layover in South Korea requires you to pass through immigration, you must have an ETA. If you do not pass through immigration, an ETA is not required.

No, an application cannot be modified or corrected after submission. If you have already received approval and wish to change your basic information (excluding travel details and your address in Korea), you will need to submit a new application.

If your application is declined, the next step depends on the reason:

  • Simple errors (such as typos or an unclear photo): You may correct the mistake and reapply immediately. The application fee will need to be paid again.
  • Serious reasons (such as a criminal record or a previous visa overstay): You cannot reapply and must instead apply for a traditional visa through a South Korean embassy.

No, application fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome, including if the application is rejected.

Get Your Korea ETA Now

Apply for the Korean ETA with confidence. Our team assists you in carefully reviewing your application to help ensure all details are complete and accurate before submission. It’s quick and easy—simply fill out the online form to get started.

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