South Korea: K-ETA

K-ETA is Korea's electronic travel authorisation for visa-free visitors, managed by the Korea Immigration Service.

Who needs it

Nationals of visa-waiver countries. Many are temporarily exempt through 31 December 2026, including US and Canadian citizens. The portal tells you after you scan your passport.

Key facts

• The official suggestion is to apply at least 72 hours before travel.
• One person can apply for up to 30 people at once.
• A K-ETA you already hold stays valid until it expires.
• Exempt travellers can still apply voluntarily, for benefits such as skipping the arrival card.

Watch out for

Korean embassies say the government has designated no application agencies, and that some non-official sites charged up to 20 times the fee.

Before you pay

Check that the address matches the link above, confirm the amount on the portal, and never pay a site that adds a large service fee. Our guide to spotting fake visa websites explains the warning signs, and the FAQ covers common questions.

This page is a summary for general information and can go out of date, and exemptions depend on your own nationality, so always confirm on the official portal. See our disclaimer.