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South Korea K-ETA

e-Visa / ETA Asia | 한국 전자여행허가제 (K-ETA)

Last updated

August 7, 2026

✈️ Before You Go

South Korea’s K-ETA is not a visa—it’s a digital pre-screening that most visa-free travelers (including U.S., U.K., and EU passport holders) must complete before boarding. Don’t assume it’s optional; airlines check it. The real timing is deceptively simple: apply at least 72 hours before departure, but the system can approve in minutes or take days if your name matches a flagged profile. First-timers are surprised that the K-ETA is tied to your passport number, not your person—so renewing a passport mid-trip invalidates it. Another shock: the fee is non-refundable, even if you’re denied, and the approval is for two years, not per visit. Here's what experienced applicants recommend: apply for K-ETA during Korean business hours (9 AM–6 PM KST) on a weekday—approvals are often instant then, whereas weekend applications can linger. Also, if you’re transiting through Incheon to a third country, you don’t need K-ETA unless you leave the sterile area. Plan ahead, double-check your passport’s expiry (must be 6+ months), and don’t wait until airport check-in—that’s the fastest way to miss your flight.

⚠️ Important Notes

⏰

Application Window

Apply at least 72 hours before departure. Approval typically within 24-72 hours.

💰

Cost

Approx. KRW 10,000 (approx. USD 8-9)

Fees are subject to change — always confirm on the official site.

  • • Apply at least 72 hours before departure — approval usually takes 24-72 hours
  • • K-ETA is valid for 3 years with multiple entries allowed
  • • Only for visa-exempt nationals (Chinese passport holders need a visa; K-ETA does not apply)
  • • When applying, you must upload a passport photo and a personal photo
  • • Information must match your passport exactly — any spelling error will result in refusal
  • • The official website has a Chinese version, but some translations are inaccurate — cross-reference with English when filling
  • • 2025-2026: Korea has temporarily waived K-ETA for certain countries (Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, etc.) — check the latest exemption list
  • • From January 2026, paper arrival cards are fully abolished. Visa-exempt travelers without K-ETA must complete the e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr
  • • K-ETA fee is approximately KRW 10,000 (about USD 8-9) — any site charging more is a third-party agent
  • • If you hold a valid K-ETA, you are exempt from the e-Arrival Card, but immigration may still ask to see your K-ETA approval screenshot

📋 Application Field Guide

Field Name Tips & Notes
Family Name / Given Name

Family Name / Given Name

Family Name = Surname. Given Name = First name(s). Match passport exactly.
Date of Birth

Date of Birth

Format: YYYY-MM-DD. Don't confuse with MM-DD-YYYY.
Passport Photo Upload

Passport Photo Upload

Upload clear photo of passport bio page. Ensure all corners visible and text legible.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

💡 Before You Start

Have the following ready: your passport, a recent digital photo, and a valid email address. Apply at least 72 hours before your departure. Note that K-ETA is only for citizens of visa-free countries; Chinese passport holders are not eligible and must apply for a visa instead.

1

Applicant Information

3fields

Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport.

Screenshot of the official entry card website

📸 About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Family Name

textRequired

Enter your surname as printed on your passport. Use uppercase letters if the passport uses them.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Using a different spelling than on passport
  • •Including middle names in the family name field

Given Name

textRequired

Enter your given name(s) exactly as on your passport. Do not include titles or suffixes.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Omitting a middle name that appears on passport
  • •Adding extra spaces or hyphens

Date of Birth

dateRequired

Select your date of birth in the format YYYY-MM-DD. Ensure it matches your passport exactly.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Selecting the wrong year due to a typo
  • •Using the local date format instead of the required one
2

Passport Details

3fields

Provide your passport information exactly as it appears on the bio page.

Passport Number

textRequired

Enter the alphanumeric passport number exactly as printed. Do not include spaces or special characters.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Confusing '0' with 'O' or '1' with 'I'
  • •Adding spaces or hyphens

Passport Expiry Date

dateRequired

Enter the expiry date of your passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended entry date.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Entering the issue date instead of expiry
  • •Using a passport that expires too soon

Passport Issuing Country

selectRequired

Select the country that issued your passport. This must match the nationality on your passport.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Selecting the country of residence instead of issuing country
  • •Choosing a non-eligible country for K-ETA
3

Contact Information

2fields

Provide your email address and phone number for communication about your application.

Email Address

emailRequired

Enter a valid email address that you check regularly. The approval notification will be sent here.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Typo in the domain name (e.g., gmail.con)
  • •Using a rarely checked email address

Phone Number

textRequired

Enter your mobile number with country code (e.g., +1 555 123 4567). No spaces or dashes.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Omitting the country code
  • •Using a landline instead of mobile
4

Travel Information

3fields

Provide details about your planned trip to South Korea.

Purpose of Visit

selectRequired

Select the main purpose of your trip. Options include tourism, business, transit, or visiting family/friends.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Selecting 'transit' when you are actually staying in Korea
  • •Choosing 'business' for a conference that is actually tourism

Expected Arrival Date

dateRequired

Enter the date you plan to arrive in South Korea. This should be within the validity of your K-ETA.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Entering a date in the past
  • •Choosing a date more than 3 years from approval

Address in Korea

textRequired

Enter the address of your accommodation or stay in Korea. Include the city and postal code if known.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Using a PO box instead of a physical address
  • •Forgetting to include the city name
5

Photo Uploads

2fields

Upload a clear photo of your passport bio page and a recent personal photo.

Passport Photo Upload

uploadRequired

Upload a clear, color photo of the passport bio page. Ensure all details are legible and the image is not blurry.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Uploading a black-and-white scan
  • •Photo is too dark or has glare
  • •File size exceeds the limit

Personal Photo

uploadRequired

Upload a recent passport-style photo of yourself. The photo should be in color, with a plain background, and no hats or sunglasses.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Using a selfie with a busy background
  • •Wearing a hat or glasses that obscure the face
  • •Photo is too old (more than 6 months)
6

Review and Submit

2fields

Review all entered information, agree to the terms, and submit your application.

Consent to Terms

radioRequired

Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions. You must consent to the processing of your personal data.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Submitting without checking the consent box
  • •Not reading the terms before agreeing

Application Review

radioRequired

Confirm that all information provided is accurate and matches your passport. This is a final declaration.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • •Rushing through without double-checking
  • •Not verifying the spelling of your name
Apply on Official Site
Free to use Last Confirmed: August 7, 2026

💬 Travel Experience Exchange

Applying or already traveled? Share your entry/exit experience, real problems encountered, or recent changes to help fellow travelers — our editors will also respond regularly.

  • Share pitfalls or surprises during your entry process
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  • Read the guide and warnings above before asking

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