Entering Korea in 2026: K-ETA, Visa and Arrival Card Explained
Which documents you need to enter Korea in 2026: K-ETA, a visa or the e-Arrival card. Check your passport and apply on official sites only.
K-ETA for Korea: How to Apply on the Official Site (2026)Apply for K-ETA only at k-eta.go.kr or the official app. KRW 10,000 plus a card fee, valid 3 years. Who is exempt in 2026 and how to avoid agency sites.Step guide
K-ETA Exemption in 2027: Will It Be Extended? (Status Tracker)The temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries ends on 31 December 2026 unless Korea extends it. Current status, what changes, and what to do now.
Korea e-Arrival Card: Who Needs It and How to Submit (2026)Submit Korea's free e-Arrival card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 3 days before you land. Who is exempt, what to enter, the 72-hour rule and the paper card.Step guide
Korea Tourist Visa: Types, Documents, Fees and Jeju Visa-Free (2026)Who needs a visa for Korea, how the C-3-9 tourist visa works, where to apply (embassy or KVAC), documents, fees, and the 30-day Jeju visa-free rule.
Arriving in Korea: Immigration and Customs at Incheon (2026)What happens after you land at Incheon: quarantine, immigration with fingerprints, baggage and customs. Cash over USD 10,000, duty-free limits, food rules.Step guide
This section explains the paperwork for entering Korea as a visitor. It covers K-ETA, visas, the arrival card, and what happens at the airport. What you need depends on the passport you travel on, not the language you speak.
Which documents do you need?
| Your passport (as of October 2026) | Before you fly | Arrival card |
|---|---|---|
| One of the 22 countries or regions on the temporary K-ETA exemption list (for example the US, UK, Japan, Taiwan, Australia) | Nothing until 31 December 2026; K-ETA optional | Submit one, unless you hold a valid K-ETA |
| Another visa-free country (for example Thailand, Malaysia, Russia) | K-ETA | Not needed once your K-ETA is approved |
| A country that needs a visa (for example China, Vietnam, Mongolia, the Philippines) | Visa | Submit one |
| Any visa-free passport, traveler aged 17 or under or 65 or over | Nothing | Submit one |
The country examples are only examples. Check your own passport in the entry checker.
The three most important tasks
- Find out what your passport needs. The entry checker gives the K-ETA, visa and arrival card rules for your nationality, with the official link.
- Get your K-ETA or visa before you book non-refundable travel. Follow the K-ETA guide or the visa guide. K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus a card fee and usually takes up to 72 hours.
- Submit the arrival card in the last 3 days. The e-Arrival card guide shows who is exempt and how the 72-hour validity works.
Start here
- Check your passport's expiry date and nationality.
- Use the entry checker.
- Apply for a K-ETA or a visa if you need one.
- If your trip starts on or after 1 January 2027, read the K-ETA 2027 tracker.
- Submit the e-Arrival card within 3 days of arrival, unless you hold a valid K-ETA.
- Read arrival, immigration and customs before you land, especially if you carry cash, food or medicine.
Watch this date: 31 December 2026
The temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries and regions ends on 31 December 2026 unless Korea extends it. As of 20 October 2026, nothing has been announced. The tracker is updated when that changes.
Use official sites only
Search ads often lead to agency sites that charge extra for the same approval. The official addresses are:
- K-ETA: www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app
- e-Arrival card: www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr (free)
- Korea Visa Portal: www.visa.go.kr
Korean government sites end in .go.kr. If a site asks for more than the official fee, close it.
Related guides
K-ETA for Korea: How to Apply on the Official Site (2026)
Apply for K-ETA only at k-eta.go.kr or the official app. KRW 10,000 plus a card fee, valid 3 years. Who is exempt in 2026 and how to avoid agency sites.
Korea e-Arrival Card: Who Needs It and How to Submit (2026)
Submit Korea's free e-Arrival card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 3 days before you land. Who is exempt, what to enter, the 72-hour rule and the paper card.
Korea Tourist Visa: Types, Documents, Fees and Jeju Visa-Free (2026)
Who needs a visa for Korea, how the C-3-9 tourist visa works, where to apply (embassy or KVAC), documents, fees, and the 30-day Jeju visa-free rule.
Arriving in Korea: Immigration and Customs at Incheon (2026)
What happens after you land at Incheon: quarantine, immigration with fingerprints, baggage and customs. Cash over USD 10,000, duty-free limits, food rules.
K-ETA Exemption in 2027: Will It Be Extended? (Status Tracker)
The temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries ends on 31 December 2026 unless Korea extends it. Current status, what changes, and what to do now.