South Korea
Electronic travel authorization for South Korea: documents, fees and steps
Tourism (short stay) · 53 nationalities · any residence · ordinary passport
Stay of up to 90 days · Verified on 7 October 2026
VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.
Document names stay visible. Open the details to read the conditions.
Documents requested
Valid passport from a country or a region appearing on the K-ETA eligibility listConditions and details
First item to prepare for the application. It is the passport, and therefore the nationality it carries, that gives entitlement to the K-ETA; the visa-free stay duration per entry depends on the country entered on the list.- Valid email addressItem to prepare for the application. The page does not specify its use; the procedure without an account includes an email verification step (see the steps).
- ID photoItem to prepare for the application. The page specifies neither the format, nor the dimensions, nor the file size.
- Credit or debit card to pay the fee of 10,000 KRW per personItem to prepare for the application: the fee is paid online when applying. The accepted payment methods are given in the fee guide (see the recommendations).
K-ETA travel information: purpose of stay, address of the planned accommodation, contact details, planned arrival and departure dates, accompanying personsConditions and details
The application guide defines this "Travel Information"; if it changes after the K-ETA is obtained, it must be updated on the website, otherwise entry may be refused. The page does not detail the form itself.
Official fees
- K-ETA application and review fee, per person (online payment fee of approximately 3% in addition, amount not specified) 10,000 KRW
Steps
- Check that the passport is on the list of eligible countries and regions, with the stay duration specific to each, and that the trip is a short stay (tourism, visiting relatives, event or conference, business without commercial activity).
- Check that you do not fall under an exemption from applying, in particular: aged 17 or under or 65 or over on the date of entry, registered foreign resident or holder of a valid Korean visa, transit passenger.
- Submit the application before boarding the plane or ship bound for Korea: an application made after boarding or from Korea may result in refusal or an entry restriction.
- Accept the terms and conditions, then verify your email address (application without an account, "Non-member") or register ("Member").
- Enter the passport information, then the application information, and check everything.
- Pay the fee online; the application is then complete.
- Wait for the review: usually 72 hours or less, sometimes longer; applications are examined in order of arrival, with no expedited service.
- Check the result under "Application Results" > "Check Application Results".
- If the purpose, the accommodation address, the contact details, the dates or the accompanying persons change after approval, update them under "Update Travel Information".
- On arrival, go through immigration control: the K-ETA exempts you from the arrival card, but the final entry decision rests with the immigration officer.
Where to apply
- Official K-ETA website (www.k-eta.go.kr) of the Korea Immigration Service: new application, resuming an application, checking the result and updating travel information, with or without an account.
- Official "K-ETA" mobile application.
- "Contact Us" form on the K-ETA website, with a reply by email; the K-ETA centre provides no assistance by telephone or in person.
Good to know
- The K-ETA is not a visaIt meets only part of the conditions of visa-free entry: an approved K-ETA does not guarantee entry, which is decided by the immigration officer on arrival.
Three-year validity, distinct from the duration of stayConditions and details
The K-ETA is used several times over three years (or until the passport expires, if that comes first). Each stay remains limited to the visa-free duration set for the passport's country, which varies from country to country.Exemption from age 65Conditions and details
Persons aged 65 or over on the date of entry are exempt from applying for the K-ETA, as are holders of a valid Korean visa and registered foreign residents. The questionnaire does not record age: check this exemption before paying.New application in the event of a changeConditions and details
Even if the K-ETA is still valid, a new application is compulsory if the passport information changes (e.g. renewed passport) or in the event of a change concerning infectious diseases or criminal records.- Accurate informationFalse or inaccurate information leads to refusal or cancellation of the K-ETA and exposes the applicant to penalties or refusal of entry, including for accompanying persons.
- Use the official website or the applicationThe portal warns against agencies and phishing sites that charge more while claiming to submit or expedite the application; no expedited service exists.
Non-refundable fee and payment methodsConditions and details
The fee covers the application and the review and is not refunded, whatever the outcome. Payment by VISA, MASTER, JCB, AMEX, Diners Club, DISCOVER, UnionPay or Alipay+; a card blocked for use abroad cannot be used to pay.Holder of a visa or a residence cardConditions and details
With a valid visa, or a valid residence card (or overseas Korean resident card), the status and the duration of stay follow that document, not the K-ETA; entering with the K-ETA requires having returned the residence card.
Nationalities covered
This procedure applies to 53 nationalities.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Peru
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Suriname
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Türkiye
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Official links
- Pays et demandeurs éligibles < Guide pour faire sa demande de K-ETA < K-ETA (new tab) www.k-eta.go.kr
- Guide pour faire sa demande de K-ETA < Guide pour faire sa demande de K-ETA < K-ETA (new tab) www.k-eta.go.kr
- Official Korea Electronic Travel Authorization Website, Korea Immigration Service < K-ETA (new tab) www.k-eta.go.kr
- Guide des frais de la demande < Guide pour faire sa demande de K-ETA < K-ETA (new tab) www.k-eta.go.kr
- Nous contacter < K-ETA (new tab) www.k-eta.go.kr
Free, with or without an account
Free, no account needed
- The entry rule for your nationality
- The list of documents for your situation
With a free account
- Your saved cases
- Your documents to tick off: to prepare, in progress, declared available
- A summary to print or save as a PDF