The Korea e-Arrival Card is a free, mandatory digital entry declaration that all foreign visitors must submit online within 72 hours before arriving in South Korea. Launched on February 24, 2025, it replaced the traditional paper arrival cards handed out on flights. You complete it at the official portal e-arrivalcard.go.kr at no cost – and you should never pay a third-party site to submit it.
What Is the Korea e-Arrival Card?
The Korea e-Arrival Card (K-EAC) is an online immigration form managed by the Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice. It collects the same information that paper arrival cards used to require – your passport details, travel itinerary, accommodation in Korea, and purpose of visit – but lets you submit everything digitally before your flight.
Since January 1, 2026, the e-Arrival Card has been mandatory for all foreign nationals entering South Korea. Paper forms are no longer accepted. This applies whether you are arriving by air or by sea.
The system is separate from K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization). Some travelers need both, some need only one, and some need neither. If you are unsure which applies to you, see our guide on K-ETA vs visa requirements to understand the difference.
Who Needs to Submit the e-Arrival Card?
Nearly every foreign visitor entering South Korea must submit the e-Arrival Card. This includes:
- Tourists on short-term stays (up to 90 days)
- Business travelers
- Students arriving on a long-term visa (D-2, E-2, E-7, etc.) for the first time
- Visitors staying with friends or family
- Transit passengers who leave the airport (for example, to pick up baggage or stay overnight)
Children under 14 do not need a separate submission. A parent or guardian completes the form on their behalf and adds children to their application. For group travel, the official portal also supports a group e-Arrival Card feature for 2 to 1,000 travelers.
Who Is Exempt?
The following travelers do NOT need to submit an e-Arrival Card:
- Korean citizens
- Holders of a valid Korean Residence Card (formerly called ARC – Alien Registration Card)
- Travelers with an approved, valid K-ETA
- Diplomats and airline/ship crew members
- Holders of a group (electronic) visa
If you already hold a valid K-ETA, you are exempt. To learn more about K-ETA eligibility and exemptions, read our K-ETA exemption countries guide.
When to Submit: The 72-Hour Window
You can submit the e-Arrival Card only within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in Korea, based on Korea Standard Time (KST, GMT+9). Each submission is valid for 72 hours from the time you submit.
Here is what that means in practice:
| Scenario | What Happens |
|---|---|
| You submit 48 hours before arrival | Valid – you are within the window |
| You submit 72 hours before arrival | Valid – the maximum allowed |
| You submit 4 days before arrival | Expires before you arrive – you must resubmit |
| You submit at the airport before boarding | Valid – still within the window |
| You arrive without submitting | Airlines may provide a paper card on the plane |
If your flight is delayed and your submission expires, simply submit again. Immigration checks the most recent valid submission linked to your passport.
How to Fill Out the e-Arrival Card: Step-by-Step
The form takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes if you have your documents ready. Here is the full process:
Step 1: Agree to Terms and Conditions
Visit e-arrivalcard.go.kr and accept the terms of use and personal data collection consent. The portal is available in English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.
Step 2: Enter Passport Information
You can either scan your passport using your phone camera (the portal uses OCR to auto-fill fields) or enter the details manually. Manual entry is often faster and more reliable if the scan feature struggles with your device.
Required passport details:
- Full name (as it appears on your passport)
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Passport expiration date
- Email address
Step 3: Enter Travel Itinerary
Fill in your arrival and stay details:
- Flight number or ship name (the one arriving in Korea)
- Arrival date
- Address in Korea (hotel name and address, or your accommodation details)
- Purpose of visit
- Departure date from Korea
Step 4: Review and Submit
Double-check all entries. If you spot an error after submitting, you can simply submit a new e-Arrival Card. Immigration will use the most recent submission.
Step 5: Save Your Confirmation
After submission, the portal displays a confirmation screen with an issue number. Take a screenshot or note down the issue number. You will not normally need to show it at immigration – officers retrieve your submission when they scan your passport – but having it as a backup avoids stress.
What Information Do You Need to Prepare?
Gather these items before you open the portal:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must be valid for your entire stay in Korea |
| Flight number | The final flight that lands in Korea (not connecting flights) |
| Arrival date | Your landing date in Korea Standard Time |
| Accommodation address | Hotel, guesthouse, dormitory, or residential address in Korea |
| Email address | Used for confirmation and issue number delivery |
| Departure date | Your planned date of leaving Korea |
You do not need to upload any documents. The system only collects text information that you type into the form fields.
e-Arrival Card vs K-ETA: What Is the Difference?
These two systems are often confused, but they serve different purposes:
| Feature | e-Arrival Card | K-ETA |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Entry declaration (replaces paper card) | Travel authorization (visa waiver) |
| Cost | Free | 10,000 KRW (~$7-8 USD) |
| Who needs it | Almost all foreign visitors | Visa-free visitors from eligible countries |
| Validity | Single entry (72 hours) | 2 years (multiple entries) |
| Official site | e-arrivalcard.go.kr | k-eta.go.kr |
| Mandatory since | January 1, 2026 (all foreigners) | Exempt through December 31, 2026 |
Some travelers need both. For example, a US citizen visiting Korea for tourism needs a K-ETA (when it becomes mandatory again in 2027) and also needs to submit the e-Arrival Card. A traveler with a Korean Residence Card needs neither.
For the latest on K-ETA requirements and whether it is currently mandatory, check our K-ETA 2026 status guide.
e-Arrival Card vs Q-Code: Are They the Same?
No. Q-Code was the health declaration system used during the COVID-19 pandemic for submitting vaccination records and test results. It is no longer in use. The e-Arrival Card is an immigration entry declaration – a completely different form managed by a different government agency.
What Happens If You Do Not Submit?
You will not be denied entry solely because you did not submit the e-Arrival Card in advance. Airlines typically provide paper arrival cards on the plane for passengers who have not submitted online. However, completing the digital form before arrival saves time at immigration and helps you move through the process more smoothly.
Since January 1, 2026, the e-Arrival Card is mandatory, so arriving without a submission means you will need to complete one at the airport or fill out whatever alternative the airline provides.
Tips for a Smooth e-Arrival Card Submission
- Submit within 72 hours of landing – not earlier, or it will expire
- Use the official portal at e-arrivalcard.go.kr only – avoid third-party sites that charge fees
- If the passport scan does not work on your phone, switch to manual entry
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen after submitting
- If you made a mistake, just submit again – the newest submission replaces the old one
- Stable Wi-Fi is recommended so your session does not time out mid-submission
- The portal works on both desktop and mobile browsers
Beware of Fake e-Arrival Card Websites
The Korean government has issued warnings about fake websites that impersonate the official e-Arrival Card portal. These fraudulent sites look official but charge fees for a service that is completely free.
Remember:
- The only official website is e-arrivalcard.go.kr
- The e-Arrival Card is always free of charge
- Any site asking for payment is not an official government service
- Be cautious of ads or emails linking to alternative portals
FAQs About the Korea e-Arrival Card
Do I need an e-Arrival Card for South Korea?
Yes, if you are a foreign national entering South Korea, you must submit an e-Arrival Card. Exceptions apply to Korean citizens, Residence Card holders, approved K-ETA holders, diplomats, and airline crew members.
How do I fill in the e-Arrival Card for Korea?
Visit e-arrivalcard.go.kr, agree to the terms, enter your passport details (you can scan or type manually), fill in your flight number and accommodation address, then review and submit. The process takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
What happens if I do not submit the e-Arrival Card?
You will not be denied entry, but you may need to complete a paper form at the airport or on the plane. Since January 2026, the digital form is mandatory, so submitting in advance is strongly recommended.
Is the e-Arrival Card the same as K-ETA?
No. The e-Arrival Card is an entry declaration (free, valid for one entry within 72 hours). K-ETA is a travel authorization (costs 10,000 KRW, valid for 2 years with multiple entries). Some travelers need both.
How much does the e-Arrival Card cost?
Nothing. The Korea e-Arrival Card is completely free when submitted through the official government portal. Any website that charges a fee is a third-party scam.
Can I submit the e-Arrival Card for my family?
Each traveler aged 14 and older must submit their own e-Arrival Card. Children under 14 can be added to a parent or guardian’s submission. For groups of 2 to 1,000 travelers, a group submission feature is available.
How early can I submit the e-Arrival Card?
You can submit it within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in Korea. If you submit earlier than 72 hours, the submission will expire and you will need to submit again.
Do I need to print the e-Arrival Card?
No. You do not need to print anything. Immigration officers retrieve your submission electronically when they scan your passport at the border. However, taking a screenshot of your confirmation is recommended as a backup.
Can I use the e-Arrival Card if I already have a Residence Card?
No. If you hold a valid Korean Residence Card, you are exempt from the e-Arrival Card. You enter Korea using your Residence Card and passport without any additional online form.
What languages does the e-Arrival Card portal support?
The official portal at e-arrivalcard.go.kr supports English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. You can select your preferred language on the website before starting the form.
