What is the K-ETA?
The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is a pre-arrival screening system required for citizens of visa-waiver countries who want to enter South Korea for tourism, business, transit, or family visits. It is not a visa. It is an online authorization that links to your passport and is checked by the airline at boarding and by immigration on arrival at an airport such as Incheon (ICN) or Gimhae (PUS).
The system is managed by the Korea Immigration Service and processed through the official portal at k-eta.go.kr. Applications are reviewed automatically in most cases, and results arrive by email within 30 minutes to 72 hours. Never use third-party K-ETA sites — they charge inflated fees and are not affiliated with Korean immigration.
A valid K-ETA does not guarantee entry. The final admission decision always rests with the immigration officer at the port of entry.
Who Needs a K-ETA in 2026?
Korea's K-ETA requirement applies to nationals of roughly 110 visa-waiver countries. This includes the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most EU member states, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR. If your passport normally allows visa-free entry to Korea, you almost certainly need a K-ETA.
Korea has temporarily exempted several countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and several EU nations) from the K-ETA requirement in recent years as a tourism-boosting measure. These exemptions are extended year by year, so always verify your nationality's current status at k-eta.go.kr before you travel.
- Visa-waiver nationals visiting Korea for under 90 days (30-60 days for some countries)
- Business travelers, tourists, and transit passengers leaving the airport
- Children and infants — every traveler needs their own K-ETA
- Not required: holders of a valid Korean visa, ARC holders, and under-17 / over-65 travelers from some countries during exemption periods
K-ETA Application Requirements
You need a valid passport with at least six months remaining, a digital passport photo taken within the last six months (JPG, under 100KB, white background), a working email address for the approval notice, and a credit or debit card accepted internationally (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay). You will also need your Korean accommodation address and return flight details.
| Requirement | Specification | Notes |
|---|
| Passport | Biometric, 6+ months validity | Machine-readable zone required |
| Photo | JPG, under 100KB, white bg | Shoulders up, no glasses |
| Email | Valid, checked daily | Approval arrives here |
| Payment | Visa / MC / JCB / UnionPay | ₩10,000 (~US$7.50) |
| Itinerary | Korea address + return flight | Hotel or host address OK |
How to Apply — Step by Step
Apply at least 72 hours before your flight departs, but ideally 1-2 weeks ahead. Never apply at the airport — approvals are not instant, and airlines will refuse boarding without one.
- Go to k-eta.go.kr and click Apply for K-ETA. Choose individual or group (up to 30).
- Enter passport details exactly as shown on the biographical page.
- Upload your passport photo (auto-rejected if too large or wrong format).
- Enter your Korean address, occupation, and arrival date.
- Answer the health and criminal history questions truthfully.
- Pay the ₩10,000 fee (non-refundable, even if denied).
- Save your application number — you will need it to check status.
- Wait for the approval email (usually 30 min to 72 hours).
Use the official mobile app K-ETA (iOS & Android) rather than the website — photo capture is easier and error messages are clearer.
Fees, Processing Time & Validity
The K-ETA fee is ₩10,000 per person (approximately US$7.50 in April 2026), plus a small card processing surcharge. Once approved, your K-ETA is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can enter Korea multiple times within that window without reapplying, as long as each stay is within your visa-waiver limit.
If you get a new passport for any reason, your existing K-ETA becomes invalid and you must apply again with the new passport details.
What to Do if Denied
K-ETA denials are rare but do happen — common reasons include a mismatch between the uploaded photo and passport, prior overstays in Korea, criminal history, or simply answering the security questions incorrectly. If denied, the ₩10,000 fee is not refunded.
A denied K-ETA does not permanently bar you from Korea. Your next step is to apply for a C-3 short-term visit visa at your nearest Korean embassy or consulate. The C-3 process takes 5-10 business days and requires more documentation (invitation letter, bank statement, itinerary) but is routinely granted for legitimate tourists. See our Korea Tourist Visa (C-3) guide for the full process.
Always verify current K-ETA rules and fees at k-eta.go.kr before traveling. This guide is informational and not affiliated with the Korean government.
What is the K-ETA?
The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is a pre-arrival screening system required for citizens of visa-waiver countries who want to enter South Korea for tourism, business, transit, or family visits. It is not a visa. It is an online authorization that links to your passport and is checked by the airline at boarding and by immigration on arrival at an airport such as Incheon (ICN) or Gimhae (PUS).
The system is managed by the Korea Immigration Service and processed through the official portal at k-eta.go.kr. Applications are reviewed automatically in most cases, and results arrive by email within 30 minutes to 72 hours. Never use third-party K-ETA sites — they charge inflated fees and are not affiliated with Korean immigration.
A valid K-ETA does not guarantee entry. The final admission decision always rests with the immigration officer at the port of entry.
Who Needs a K-ETA in 2026?
Korea's K-ETA requirement applies to nationals of roughly 110 visa-waiver countries. This includes the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most EU member states, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR. If your passport normally allows visa-free entry to Korea, you almost certainly need a K-ETA.
Korea has temporarily exempted several countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and several EU nations) from the K-ETA requirement in recent years as a tourism-boosting measure. These exemptions are extended year by year, so always verify your nationality's current status at k-eta.go.kr before you travel.
- Visa-waiver nationals visiting Korea for under 90 days (30-60 days for some countries)
- Business travelers, tourists, and transit passengers leaving the airport
- Children and infants — every traveler needs their own K-ETA
- Not required: holders of a valid Korean visa, ARC holders, and under-17 / over-65 travelers from some countries during exemption periods
K-ETA Application Requirements
You need a valid passport with at least six months remaining, a digital passport photo taken within the last six months (JPG, under 100KB, white background), a working email address for the approval notice, and a credit or debit card accepted internationally (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay). You will also need your Korean accommodation address and return flight details.
| Requirement | Specification | Notes |
|---|
| Passport | Biometric, 6+ months validity | Machine-readable zone required |
| Photo | JPG, under 100KB, white bg | Shoulders up, no glasses |
| Email | Valid, checked daily | Approval arrives here |
| Payment | Visa / MC / JCB / UnionPay | ₩10,000 (~US$7.50) |
| Itinerary | Korea address + return flight | Hotel or host address OK |
How to Apply — Step by Step
Apply at least 72 hours before your flight departs, but ideally 1-2 weeks ahead. Never apply at the airport — approvals are not instant, and airlines will refuse boarding without one.
- Go to k-eta.go.kr and click Apply for K-ETA. Choose individual or group (up to 30).
- Enter passport details exactly as shown on the biographical page.
- Upload your passport photo (auto-rejected if too large or wrong format).
- Enter your Korean address, occupation, and arrival date.
- Answer the health and criminal history questions truthfully.
- Pay the ₩10,000 fee (non-refundable, even if denied).
- Save your application number — you will need it to check status.
- Wait for the approval email (usually 30 min to 72 hours).
Use the official mobile app K-ETA (iOS & Android) rather than the website — photo capture is easier and error messages are clearer.
Fees, Processing Time & Validity
The K-ETA fee is ₩10,000 per person (approximately US$7.50 in April 2026), plus a small card processing surcharge. Once approved, your K-ETA is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can enter Korea multiple times within that window without reapplying, as long as each stay is within your visa-waiver limit.
If you get a new passport for any reason, your existing K-ETA becomes invalid and you must apply again with the new passport details.
What to Do if Denied
K-ETA denials are rare but do happen — common reasons include a mismatch between the uploaded photo and passport, prior overstays in Korea, criminal history, or simply answering the security questions incorrectly. If denied, the ₩10,000 fee is not refunded.
A denied K-ETA does not permanently bar you from Korea. Your next step is to apply for a C-3 short-term visit visa at your nearest Korean embassy or consulate. The C-3 process takes 5-10 business days and requires more documentation (invitation letter, bank statement, itinerary) but is routinely granted for legitimate tourists. See our Korea Tourist Visa (C-3) guide for the full process.
Always verify current K-ETA rules and fees at k-eta.go.kr before traveling. This guide is informational and not affiliated with the Korean government.