Any foreign visitors wishing to enter the Republic of Korea must have a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa before the visitation. For nationals in countries eligible for visa-free entry to Korea, one must obtain K-ETA. This is a new measure put in force in Oct. 2021. Please make sure to check whether you need a Korean visa or K-ETA.

※ Starting July 1st 2020, The Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROK) issues a Confirmation of Visa Issuance in place of a visa label as an entry permit into Korea.

Check the type of visa you need to apply for: Visa Navigator

Example of Confirmation of Visa Issuance

Countries under Visa Waiver Agreement

Please visit the Korea Visa Portal website, or contact your local Korean Embassy for accurate visa information, as rules and regulations vary depending on the country you’re coming from.

The Korean government may have suspended visa exemptions and visa-free entry for foreign nationals in some countries due to Covid-19. Therefore, all individuals in those countries may be required to apply for a visa before travel even though they were previously eligible for visa-free travel to Korea. The list of countries affected by this measure can vary at any time with chages in Covid-19 circumstances; please make sure to check the up-to-date entry requirements before leaving for Korea.

K-ETA(Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

K-ETA is mandatory for nationals or citizens of 112 countries/regions where visa-free entry is available.

• You must apply for the K-ETA at least 1 month before boarding the flight or ship bound for the Republic of Korea. You can apply for K-ETA on the K-ETA official website (WWW.k-eta.go.kr) or mobile App (K-ETA)
• The K-ETA is not a VISA. K-ETA approval does not guarantee admission to the Republic of Korea; a Korea Immigration Service officer at a port of entry will have the final determination.
• Once you have been approved, the K-ETA is valid for two years. K-ETA is generally valid for multiple trips over a period or two years of until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• You can get the results by email within 72 hours after submitting the K-ETA application.
• If you submit false information on the K-ETA application, the K-ETA approval will be refused or cancelled. You may also be subject to penalties or face entry restriction according to relevant Korean laws. Please re-check your information and correct any mistakes before submitting your application.
• You are required to apply for a new K-ETA regardless of your current K-ETA status if there are any changes regarding your information such as name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport information, infectious disease or criminal record.
• After your K-ETA is approved, if there are any changes regarding your purpose of entry, address in Korea or contact information, you are required to update them through the K-ETA website before entering Korea. Failure to do so may result in entry denial.

Apply for K-ETA

• In order to apply for K-ETA, go to the official website (www.k-eta.go.kr) or download mobile App (K-ETA).
• Who are eligible for: 112 countries that can enter Korea without a visa

  Check your country in the links below. If your country isn’t listed, you need a visa to travel to Korea.
  Check with your embassy if travel visas are being issued now. (https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/guide/viewetaalification.do)

• What you need to prepare your K-ETA

① Valid passport

② Valid e-mail address

③ Face image photo

④ Credit or debit card that can be used to pay the fee.

Fee: KRW 10,000 per person (Approximately USD $10 / additional fee 3% excluded)

K-ETA application fee is non-refundable even though the application is rejected.

You can use debit cards or global credit cards such as VISA, Master, JCB, or AMEX (automatic calculation of fees by country according to exchange rate).

For more detailed information, please refer to the official K-ETA website.

Required documents and preparation for entering Korea

※ Information on this website is for reference only. Please refer to airlines notices, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency COVID-19 website, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Travel Safety website or diplomatic offices website for more information.

※ Use of the Quarantine Information Pre-Input System (Q-CODE) before entering the country is not required, though recommended.

Related links

Entry Procedure (as of January 3, 2023)

As with many other places around the world, the local situation and rules in Korea regarding Covid-19 keep changing, so please stay vigilant and updated with the latest information.

All individuals entering Korea are required to go through a special immigration process to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Immigration safety measures are subject to frequent changes, and therefore travelers are advised to check for updates from the Korea Disease Control Agency ( KDCA ).