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
A K-ETA asks for less than a full visa, but every detail must match your passport exactly. You need a machine-readable passport, valid for the duration of your trip, because the authorisation links to your passport electronically; have its number, issue date, expiry date and country of issue to hand. Unlike the United States ESTA, the K-ETA does require a photograph: a recent digital headshot on a plain white background, with your face clearly visible, no hat or sunglasses and even lighting, saved as a JPG within the portal's file-size limits.
You also provide your arrival flight or carrier details and a Korean accommodation address or itinerary, where a hotel booking is fine, along with a valid email address that receives the decision. A short set of eligibility questions covers your travel purpose and any prior immigration history; answer them honestly, since an inaccurate answer is a frequent reason a K-ETA is referred or refused. A payment card covers one all-inclusive price that includes the government fee and our service fee, with the government portion itemised on your receipt.
The single most common avoidable error is a mistyped name or passport number: check the spelling of your name and every passport digit against the document itself, because a mismatch at the airport can delay your boarding.
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
- Korean accommodation address or itinerary
- Payment method (one all-inclusive price)
How to apply
Three steps from start to approval.
Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.
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 1-3 business days; Rush 1 business day; Super Rush less than 6 hours.
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.
South Korea help desk
Have questions about your K-ETA? Email the South Korea desk and we reply within 24 hours.
korea@visitpass-online.com