Korea entry requirements in 2026: K-ETA and the e-Arrival Card

The short answer

• Your country is on the K-ETA exemption list below: no K-ETA needed until 31 December 2026. Fill in the free e-Arrival Card in the 3 days before you land.
• Your country is visa-free but not on the list: get a K-ETA before you book your flight. With a valid K-ETA you do not need the e-Arrival Card.
• You need a visa for Korea: neither of these replaces it. Apply at the Korean embassy or consulate.

Countries and territories exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Italy
• Japan
• Macao
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom
• United States (including Guam)

How to get a K-ETA

• Apply only on the official site, k-eta.go.kr, or the official K-ETA app.
• The fee is about ₩10,000. Approval usually comes within 30 minutes; it can take up to 72 hours, so apply at least 3 days before you fly, and before buying a non-refundable ticket.
• A K-ETA is valid for multiple trips for 3 years (or until your passport expires).
• Children 17 and under and adults 65 and over have been exempt since 2023.

How to fill in the e-Arrival Card

• Free, on the official site e-arrivalcard.go.kr.
• Submit it in the 3 days before you arrive (Korean time). It is valid for 72 hours from submission; if your flight is delayed past that, submit a new one.
• Parents or guardians fill it in for children under 14.
• Not needed if you have a valid K-ETA.

Watch out for look-alike sites

• Many private websites look official and charge several times the real fee for a K-ETA or for the free e-Arrival Card. Check that the address ends in .go.kr before you pay.

Before you fly: checklist

• Passport valid for your whole stay; many airlines ask for 6 months.
• K-ETA approved, or e-Arrival Card submitted in the last 3 days.
• Return or onward ticket and the address of your first night, in case the officer asks.
• How long you may stay without a visa depends on your nationality (often 90 days): check before a long trip.

Questions

Do I need a K-ETA for Korea in 2026?

Not if you are a citizen of one of the 22 exempt countries and territories, until 31 December 2026; you fill in the free e-Arrival Card instead. Other visa-free visitors need a K-ETA.

How much is the K-ETA?

About ₩10,000 on the official site k-eta.go.kr. It is valid for 3 years.

Is the e-Arrival Card free?

Yes. It is free on e-arrivalcard.go.kr; sites that charge for it are not official.

When do I fill in the e-Arrival Card?

In the 3 days before you land in Korea. It stays valid for 72 hours.