South Korea K-ETA – Basic information
The K-ETA is the Electronic Travel Authorization introduced in South Korea in 2021. The South Korean ETA functions as a multiple-entry online visa that remains valid for 2 years from the date of issue and entitles its holder to numerous visits to South Korea related to tourism or business.
The permitted duration of stay in South Korea with ETA can vary between 30 and 90 days and depends on the traveler’s nationality.
The K-ETA system has facilitated the process of obtaining a visa for short-term purposes. Eligible applicants can receive the K-ETA approval after going through three very intuitive steps. The online application can be completed online from the comfort of the individual’s home.
Please remember to apply for the South Korean Electronic Travel Authorization at least 72 hours prior to the planned trip to receive your K-ETA on time.
Who needs a South Korea K-ETA
Currently, there are 49 visa-exempt countries whose nationals must obtain the K-ETA before traveling to South Korea.
Consult the list of eligible countries to see whether your nationality is eligible for K-ETA, and submit your application 3 business days prior to your planned arrival in the Republic of Korea.
List of eligible countries
Countries eligible for K-ETA for a stay of up to 30 days:
Andorra
Anguilla
Albania
Bahrain
Bermuda
Brunei
Cyprus
Fiji
Falkland Islands
Micronesia
Georgia
Gibraltar
Guyana
Honduras
India
Kiribati
Cayman Islands
Kazakhstan
Monaco
Montenegro
Marshall Islands
Montserrat
Mauritius
New Caledonia
Nauru
Oman
San Marino
Caicos Islands
Tunisia
Tonga
Tuvalu
British Virgin Islands
Samoa
South Africa
Seychelles
Palau
Saudi Arabia
Paraguay
Turks and Caicos Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Saint Helena
British Indian Ocean Territory
Eswatini
A country that can stay in South Korea with an ETA for 60 days:
Lesotho
Countries that can visit South Korea for up to 90 days at a time with K-ETA:
United Arab Emirates
Argentina
Austria
Australia
Barbados
Belgium
Bulgaria
Brazil
Bahamas
Botswana
Switzerland
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Serbia
Czech Republic
Germany
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Estonia
Spain
Finland
France
United Kingdom
Grenada
Greece
Guatemala
Hong Kong
Croatia
Haiti
Hungary
Ireland
Israel
Iceland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Kuwait
Saint Lucia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Latvia
Morocco
Macau
Malta
Mexico
Malaysia
Nicaragua
Netherlands
Norway
New Zealand
Panama
Peru
Poland
El Salvador
Thailand
Turkey
Taiwan
United States
Uruguay
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Venezuela
Qatar
Singapore
Portugal
Sweden
Slovakia
Slovenia
Trinidad and Tobago
Romania
Antigua and Barbuda
A country which can stay in South Korea for up to 180 days with a valid K-ETA:
eVisa for South Korea is available to the citizens of following countries:
Types of the South Korean K-ETA
There is only one type of South Korean Electronic Travel Authorization which is a multiple-entry document that remains effective for 2 years from the date of issue and enables its holder to enter South Korea numerous times.
The approved K-ETA may be used for a number of leisure and business-related activities, including:
- vacationing;
- family and friend reunions;
- participation in business events, meetings, conferences, etc.;
- taking part in trade fairs and seminars.
South Korea K-ETA application guide
Prepare your valid passport and your face photo, and start your application by following these simple steps:
- Fill out the online form: enter all required details, upload necessary documents, and double-check the provided information.
- Pay the processing fee: use one of the available methods of online payment and pay the service fee of 69 Euro for your K-ETA.
- Refresh your email: after settling the payment, make sure to check the email address to which you should receive the confirmation email.
- Download your K-ETA: the approved official K-ETA will be delivered to your email in a PDF file.
Please note that there is no need to print the received South Korean electronic visa. K-ETA will be automatically linked to your passport.
South Korea K-ETA validity
The K-ETA visa waiver is issued for 2 years, and its validity period starts from the date of issue. Its holder is permitted numerous visits to the Republic of South Korea within this 2-year validity period.
Applicants from K-ETA-eligible countries should make sure that their passports will not expire throughout the entire planned stay in South Korea.
Please do note that South Korea ETA cannot be extended. Once your ETA expires and you consider entering South Korea again, you need to submit a new K-ETA application.
South Korea K-ETA requirements
To apply for the South Korea ETA, you will need to meet simple requirements, including the following:
- to be a holder of a passport whose validity will extend beyond at least 6 months from the intended arrival date in South Korea;
- to upload a face photo (you may take it with your phone or a PC camera);
- to be an active user of an email address
- to have access to any valid method of online payment available in the online form
Transit information
Nationals of most countries worldwide can transit through South Korea visa-free, providing that their transit stop will not exceed 24 hours and they will not be leaving the airport transit zone.
Please also bear in mind that there are 5 certain countries that must hold a transit visa in South Korea regardless of the duration of their transit stop. These countries include:
Egypt
Mongolia
Syria
Yemen
Sudan