Key points
- South Korea continues to accept paper arrival cards alongside the electronic version
- The definitive removal of paper forms has not yet been officially announced
- Only K-ETA holders and registered Korean residents are exempt from completing an arrival card, not the 22 K-ETA-exempt nationalities
- QR codes and tablets at airports provide access to the e-Arrival Card portal
Both formats remain in use until an official announcement is made on the removal of paper forms
South Korea continues to accept paper arrival cards despite the rollout of its electronic arrival card system. According to VisasNews, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that both formats are currently being used in parallel.
“Arrival reporting for South Korea can be completed using either a paper arrival card or an electronic arrival card (e-Arrival Card). Until an official announcement regarding the complete abolition of the paper arrival card is made, we will continue to use both the paper arrival card and the e-Arrival Card in parallel.”
The definitive removal of paper forms has not yet been officially announced.
Background on the e-Arrival Card
South Korea launched the electronic arrival card system in 2025, allowing foreign travelers to submit their entry information online before departing for the country. The system is intended to gradually replace paper forms traditionally distributed on airplanes or at airports.
When the system was introduced, the Korean Immigration Service indicated a transition period would remain in place until the end of 2025, during which passengers could choose between paper and electronic formats. Since the beginning of 2026, some reports have claimed the paper card was discontinued, but authorities have now clarified this is not the case.
Digital options at airports
Although paper cards remain an option, Korean authorities are encouraging travelers to use the digital format. At international airports, QR codes displayed in arrival areas and tablets made available to travelers provide direct access to the official e-Arrival Card portal.
Who is exempt from the arrival card
Travelers holding a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) are exempt from completing an arrival card, whether paper or electronic.
The 22 nationalities temporarily exempt from the K-ETA requirement until December 31, 2026 are not exempt from the arrival card. They must still complete it, in paper or electronic form, unless they voluntarily apply for and pay for a K-ETA to skip arrival formalities altogether. According to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Sydney, the only other travelers exempt from the arrival card are registered residents of Korea, certain group tourists, visa-free transit passengers, and airline or ship crew.
