K-ETA Requirements: Documents, Eligibility & What You Need

Who Needs K-ETA?

The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is a mandatory travel authorization for foreign nationals from 106 countries and territories who wish to enter South Korea without a visa for short-term stays. If your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry to South Korea, you need K-ETA approval before boarding your flight or ship.

K-ETA applies to visits for purposes such as:

• Tourism and sightseeing
• Business meetings and conferences
• Visiting relatives or friends
• Transit through South Korea
• Other short-term activities that don’t require a work visa

If your country is not on the visa-exempt list, you will need to apply for a traditional South Korea visa instead.

Important: As of 2026, K-ETA is temporarily exempted for nationals of 22 designated countries through December 31, 2026. K-ETA becomes mandatory again on January 1, 2027. Check our K-ETA exemption countries page for the latest status.

K-ETA Eligibility Requirements

Nationality and Country Requirements

K-ETA is available to nationals of countries and territories that have a Visa Waiver Agreement with South Korea. There are currently 106 eligible countries, including:

• Asia: Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Malaysia, Taiwan, and others
• North America: United States, Canada
• Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, and most EU/Schengen countries
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

To check whether your nationality qualifies, visit the official K-ETA eligibility page on k-eta.go.kr. During the application process, a pop-up will notify you if you are exempt when you scan your passport’s biographic page.

Age Exemptions

Since July 3, 2023, the following age groups are exempt from K-ETA:

• Travelers aged 17 and under
• Travelers aged 65 and older

If you fall into one of these age categories, you do not need to apply for K-ETA to enter South Korea, even if your nationality would otherwise require it.

Temporary K-ETA Exemption (2026)

To boost tourism under the “Visit Korea Year” initiative, South Korea has temporarily exempted nationals of 22 countries from K-ETA requirements. This exemption runs through December 31, 2026.

The exempted countries include:

Starting January 1, 2027, all eligible travelers from these countries will once again need K-ETA approval before entering South Korea. We recommend applying well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.

Documents and Information Required for K-ETA

The K-ETA application is completed entirely online through the official K-ETA website or the K-ETA mobile app. You will need the following documents and information:

Passport Requirements

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity
• A clear scan or photo of your passport’s biographic (bio) page
• The passport must be the same one you will use to enter South Korea
• If your passport is renewed or reissued after receiving K-ETA, you must apply for a new K-ETA

Personal Information

You will need to provide the following personal details:

• Full name (as it appears on your passport)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Email address (for receiving approval notifications)
• Phone number
• Occupation
• Citizenship of another country (if applicable)

Travel Information

Prepare the following details about your trip to South Korea:

• Purpose of visit (tourism, business, visiting family, etc.)
• Intended date of entry to South Korea
• Intended date of departure from South Korea
• Accommodation address in South Korea (hotel name, block/house number, street name, postal code)
• Contact information in South Korea
• Information on accompanying persons (if traveling with family or a group)

Photo Requirements

You must upload a color photograph of your face that meets these specifications:

• Taken against a white background
• Recent photo (taken within the last 6 months)
• Face clearly visible, looking directly at the camera
• No hats, sunglasses, or head coverings (unless for religious purposes)
• Standard passport-style photo dimensions
• Note: A photo is not required when applying via the K-ETA mobile app, as the app uses your device camera

Health and Criminal Declarations

The application includes mandatory declarations about your health and criminal background:

Infectious Disease Declaration:
You must declare whether you currently have or have recently had any of the following diseases:
– Cholera, Plague, Yellow Fever
– Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
– Avian Influenza, New Influenza
– Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
– Ebola Virus, Marburg Fever
– Tuberculosis, Lassa Fever
– Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
– Smallpox (Variola), Diphtheria
– Other new infectious syndromes

If you answer yes, you must provide: disease name, date of diagnosis, and treatment progress.

Criminal History Declaration:
You must declare whether you have ever been:
– Charged with or convicted of a crime causing significant harm to others
– Arrested, charged, or convicted of crimes related to illegal drugs (possession, use, or distribution)
– Arrested, charged, or convicted of any other criminal offense

If you answer yes, you must provide: crime type, country, date, and details of the judgment.

K-ETA Application Fee and Processing

Tip: Apply at least 72 hours before your departure date. There is no expedited processing service. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and delays may occur during peak travel periods.

Important Rules to Know

K-ETA Is Not a Visa

K-ETA is a travel authorization, not a visa. It fulfills one of the requirements for entering South Korea without a visa, but an approved K-ETA does not guarantee entry. The final admission decision is made by a Korea Immigration Service officer at the port of entry.

When You Must Reapply

Even if your K-ETA has not expired, you must apply for a new K-ETA if:

• Your passport has been renewed or reissued
• There are changes to your criminal record
• There are changes to your infectious disease information

Updating Travel Information

If your travel details change after you receive K-ETA approval, you must update your information through the Update Travel Information page on the official K-ETA website. This includes changes to:

• Purpose of entry
• Address of intended stay
• Contact information
• Expected date of arrival or departure
• Information on accompanying persons

Failure to update travel information may result in entry denial or other disadvantages.

K-ETA and Residence Card Holders

If you hold both a K-ETA and a valid Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card), your entry status will be based on the Residence Card first. You can only enter using K-ETA if you have returned your Residence Card to immigration upon a previous departure, or if you surrender it at the moment of entry.

K-ETA Requirements FAQ

What is required for K-ETA?

You need a valid passport, a color photo (white background), your personal information (name, date of birth, email, phone number, occupation), travel details (dates, accommodation address, purpose of visit), and declarations about your health and criminal history. The fee is 10,000 KRW (~$7-8 USD).

What information do you need for K-ETA?

The K-ETA application requires your passport details, email address, phone number, occupation, nationality, travel itinerary (entry/departure dates, accommodation address in South Korea), purpose of visit, and answers to health and criminal background questions.

Do US citizens need K-ETA in 2026?

US citizens are temporarily exempt from K-ETA through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, US citizens will need K-ETA approval before traveling to South Korea. We recommend applying in advance to be prepared.

Is K-ETA still required to enter Korea?

K-ETA requirements are currently suspended for nationals of 22 countries through December 31, 2026. For all other eligible nationalities (from the 106 eligible countries), K-ETA remains required. K-ETA will be mandatory for all eligible travelers again starting January 1, 2027.

How long does K-ETA approval take?

K-ETA processing typically takes 72 hours or less. However, during periods of high application volume, it may take longer. There is no expedited service. Apply at least 72 hours before your departure.

Can I get a refund if my K-ETA is denied?

No. The K-ETA application fee of 10,000 KRW is non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

Do children need K-ETA?

No. Travelers aged 17 and under are exempt from K-ETA requirements since July 3, 2023.

Do seniors need K-ETA?

No. Travelers aged 65 and older are exempt from K-ETA requirements since July 3, 2023.