South Korea K-ETA
Everything you need to apply for your South Korea K-ETA: the requirements, the documents, and the steps from start to approval.
Official South Korea government portalOverview
The K-ETA, or Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, is South Korea's online travel permit for citizens of visa-exempt countries. It is not a visa: it is an authorisation to board your carrier and request entry for a short visit, screened by the Korean Immigration Service before you travel. An approved K-ETA is valid for three years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries throughout that period.
Each individual stay may last up to 90 days, though the exact length depends on your nationality and the agreement between Korea and your country. The authorisation covers tourism, business meetings, short courses and family visits. It does not authorise paid employment, enrolment in a degree programme or long-term residence, which each require the appropriate Korean visa applied for at an embassy or consulate.
The K-ETA links electronically to the passport you apply with, so you must travel on that same passport, and every traveller needs their own, including children and infants. Some nationalities are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026; if yours is among them you still file a K-ETA e-Arrival Card before arrival, so confirm your own status before you apply. Your K-ETA is prepared in your own language, every answer is checked for accuracy and the application is submitted to the Korean authorities, then your approval and a tracking code are sent so you always know where your application stands.
Requirements in detail
Gather these before you begin, so your K-ETA application goes through on the first attempt. You need a machine-readable passport from a visa-exempt nationality, valid for the duration of your trip, because the authorisation is linked to that passport electronically; keep its number and its issue and expiry dates beside you. Unlike the United States ESTA, the K-ETA does require a photograph: a recent digital headshot on a plain white background, face clearly visible, no hat or sunglasses and even lighting, saved as a JPG within the portal's file-size limits.
Have your arrival and departure dates ready and expect a short transit question, along with a working email address that receives the decision; keep your Korean accommodation details to hand for arrival. A short set of eligibility questions covers your prior immigration history and related declarations; answer them honestly. A payment card covers the single all-inclusive price, with the government fee itemised on your receipt.
Every traveller, including each child and infant, needs their own K-ETA.
What you'll need
Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.
- Passport from a visa-exempt nationality with at least six months validity
- Recent digital passport photograph (white background)
- Email address for K-ETA delivery
- Your arrival and departure dates
- Payment method (one all-inclusive price)
How to apply
Applying for the K-ETA is done entirely online, step by step. First, confirm who needs it: it is required for visa-exempt nationals visiting for tourism, business, short study or family visits, and each traveller needs their own, while some nationalities are temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026 and file a K-ETA e-Arrival Card instead. Second, gather your passport, photograph and trip details as listed above.
Third, complete the form, entering your name and passport number exactly as printed in the passport, since a single mismatched character is the usual reason an application is delayed. Fourth, review the single all-inclusive price and pay; the application is checked for completeness before it reaches the Korean Immigration Service. Finally, the approved K-ETA arrives by email with a tracking code and is linked to your passport electronically, so there is nothing to print, though many travellers keep a copy.
Travel on the same passport you applied with.
On arrival
Your approved K-ETA is held electronically against your passport, so you do not need to print anything to board; the airline checks your authorisation when you check in. Even so, it is sensible to save a copy of the approval email or your application number in case of a systems issue. Travel on the exact passport you applied with, and present that passport at the K-ETA inspection gate on arrival rather than the standard arrival card lane.
A K-ETA authorises you to board and to request entry; the final admission decision rests with an immigration officer at the port of entry, who may ask about the purpose and length of your trip. Have your return or onward ticket and your Korean address ready to show, so the inspection moves quickly.
Government processing time
What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.
Government processing: the Korean Immigration Service decides in 1 to 72 hours, often within minutes, though approval can take longer at peak travel periods or when an answer needs a closer look. When to apply: file your K-ETA at least 72 hours before departure so the decision is in hand before you reach the airport, and ideally a week or two earlier if you can, since some carriers check the authorisation at check-in. VisitPass review: Standard under 24h; Priority under 6h; Urgent under 30 min.
The application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued with a tracking code so you always know where your application stands.
At a glance
- Validity
- 3 years
- Maximum stay
- 90 days per entry
- Entry type
- Multiple
Who can apply
South Korea's K-ETA is the electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals visiting for tourism, business, short study or family visits. It is valid for three years from approval or until your passport expires, with multiple entries of up to 90 days each, and children including infants need their own. Some nationalities are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026.
They still file a K-ETA e-Arrival Card before arrival, so confirm whether yours currently qualifies before applying.
Is this the official application?
VisitPass is an independent travel-document service, not a government website and not affiliated with the Korean Immigration Service. Your application is submitted to the official K-ETA system, the government fee is paid in full to the issuing authority and itemised on your receipt; the service fee covers preparing the application, reviewing it for completeness before submission, and email support. You can always apply directly on the government portal yourself; many travellers choose a guided form to complete it in their own language and have it checked before it is sent.
The decision rests solely with the Korean government.
South Korea help desk
Have questions about your K-ETA? Email the South Korea desk and we reply within 24 hours.
korea@visitpass-online.comVisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.