South Korea K-ETA - Check Guidelines, Fee and Apply online via Application form (2024)

South Korea K-ETA – Basic information

The K-ETA is the Electronic Travel Authorization introduced in South Korea in 2021. The South Korean ETA functions as a multiple-entry online visa that remains valid for 2 years from the date of issue and entitles its holder to numerous visits to South Korea related to tourism or business.

The permitted duration of stay in South Korea with ETA can vary between 30 and 90 days and depends on the traveler’s nationality.

The K-ETA system has facilitated the process of obtaining a visa for short-term purposes. Eligible applicants can receive the K-ETA approval after going through three very intuitive steps. The online application can be completed online from the comfort of the individual’s home.

Please remember to apply for the South Korean Electronic Travel Authorization at least 72 hours prior to the planned trip to receive your K-ETA on time.

Who needs a South Korea K-ETA

Currently, there are 49 visa-exempt countries whose nationals must obtain the K-ETA before traveling to South Korea.

Consult the list of eligible countries to see whether your nationality is eligible for K-ETA, and submit your application 3 business days prior to your planned arrival in the Republic of Korea.

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List of eligible countries

Countries eligible for K-ETA for a stay of up to 30 days:

• Andorra
• Anguilla
• Albania
• Bahrain
• Bermuda
• Brunei
• Cyprus
• Fiji
• Falkland Islands
• Micronesia
• Georgia
• Gibraltar
• Guyana
• Honduras
• India
• Kiribati
• Cayman Islands
• Kazakhstan
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Marshall Islands
• Montserrat
• Mauritius
• New Caledonia
• Nauru
• Oman
• San Marino
• Caicos Islands
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• British Virgin Islands
• Samoa
• South Africa
• Seychelles
• Palau
• Saudi Arabia
• Paraguay
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Helena
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Eswatini

A country that can stay in South Korea with an ETA for 60 days:

• Lesotho

Countries that can visit South Korea for up to 90 days at a time with K-ETA:

• United Arab Emirates
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Brazil
• Bahamas
• Botswana
• Switzerland
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Serbia
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• United Kingdom
• Grenada
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Hong Kong
• Croatia
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Israel
• Iceland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Kuwait
• Saint Lucia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Morocco
• Macau
• Malta
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Nicaragua
• Netherlands
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Panama
• Peru
• Poland
• El Salvador
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Taiwan
• United States
• Uruguay
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Antigua and Barbuda

A country which can stay in South Korea for up to 180 days with a valid K-ETA:

• Canada

Types of the South Korean K-ETA

There is only one type of South Korean Electronic Travel Authorization which is a multiple-entry document that remains effective for 2 years from the date of issue and enables its holder to enter South Korea numerous times.

The approved K-ETA may be used for a number of leisure and business-related activities, including:

• vacationing;
• family and friend reunions;
• participation in business events, meetings, conferences, etc.;
• taking part in trade fairs and seminars.

South Korea K-ETA application guide

Prepare your valid passport and your face photo, and start your application by following these simple steps:

1. Fill out the online form: enter all required details, upload necessary documents, and double-check the provided information.
2. Pay the processing fee: use one of the available methods of online payment and pay the service fee of 69 Euro for your K-ETA.
3. Refresh your email: after settling the payment, make sure to check the email address to which you should receive the confirmation email.
4. Download your K-ETA: the approved official K-ETA will be delivered to your email in a PDF file.

Please note that there is no need to print the received South Korean electronic visa. K-ETA will be automatically linked to your passport.

APPLY FOR K-ETA

South Korea K-ETA validity

The K-ETA visa waiver is issued for 2 years, and its validity period starts from the date of issue. Its holder is permitted numerous visits to the Republic of South Korea within this 2-year validity period.

Applicants from K-ETA-eligible countries should make sure that their passports will not expire throughout the entire planned stay in South Korea.

Please do note that South Korea ETA cannot be extended. Once your ETA expires and you consider entering South Korea again, you need to submit a new K-ETA application.

South Korea K-ETA requirements

To apply for the South Korea ETA, you will need to meet simple requirements, including the following:

• to be a holder of a passport whose validity will extend beyond at least 6 months from the intended arrival date in South Korea;
• to upload a face photo (you may take it with your phone or a PC camera);
• to be an active user of an email address
• to have access to any valid method of online payment available in the online form

Transit information

Nationals of most countries worldwide can transit through South Korea visa-free, providing that their transit stop will not exceed 24 hours and they will not be leaving the airport transit zone.

Please also bear in mind that there are 5 certain countries that must hold a transit visa in South Korea regardless of the duration of their transit stop. These countries include:

• Egypt
• Mongolia
• Syria
• Yemen
• Sudan