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South Korea

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Illustration of South Korea entry and visa policy

South Korea visa requirements

Whether you need a travel document for South Korea depends on your nationality and the purpose of your trip.

Travelers from visa-exempt countries generally need a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization), which is digitally linked to their passport and doesn't need to be printed. However, citizens of 22 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA requirement until December 31, 2026.

Travelers covered by this exemption must instead submit the South Korea e-Arrival Card, a mandatory digital entry declaration. Holders of a valid K-ETA don't need to submit the card.

If your nationality isn't visa-exempt, or you plan to work, study, or stay long term, you'll need to apply for a traditional visa through a South Korean embassy or consulate. You'll also need to submit the e-Arrival Card before traveling.

General South Korea entry requirements are:

Requirements verified against official government sources

  • The right travel document for your nationality (K-ETA, e-Arrival Card, or a traditional visa)
  • Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with one blank page)
  • Recent passport photo
  • Accommodation details
  • Travel details (including your flight number and address)
  • Valid email address

South Korea travel documents through iVisa

What each document covers, who it suits, and how it is issued.

South Korea ETATravel authorisation

Foreign visitors from visa-exempt countries must have an approved K-ETA before boarding their flight or ship to South Korea, unless their nationality is covered by the temporary exemption that runs until December 31, 2026. The K-ETA is valid for tourism, visiting family, attending events, or short-term business activities.

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Who it's for
The K-ETA is for travelers from visa-exempt countries who want to visit South Korea without applying for a traditional visa at an embassy. If your country is not on the visa-waiver list, or if you plan to work or study, you must apply for a traditional visa instead.
Permitted activities
Tourism, visiting family, attending events, and short-term business activities such as attending meetings, signing contracts, or participating in conferences. It does not allow long-term employment or receiving a salary from a Korean source.
Duration and entries
The K-ETA is a multiple-entry authorization valid for 3 years. Stay duration depends on your nationality: Most travelers can stay up to 90 days, while some nationalities may stay longer or shorter.
Delivery format
The K-ETA is an electronic authorization digitally linked to your passport number. When you check in or pass through immigration, officials see your approved status automatically when they scan your passport.
Validity
3 years
Length of stay
90 days per entry
Entry
Multiple entry
Processing time
Get it in as fast as 2 days

Prices and processing times for every document are just below. See prices

South Korea visa prices and processing times

Clear, all-in pricing by visa type. The final checkout total includes our service fee.

South Korea ETA

From$99.99

  • 3 years validity
  • Stay up to 90 days per entry
  • Multiple entry
  • As fast as 2 days
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South Korea e-Arrival Card

From$69.99

  • 4 days validity
  • Stay up to 30 days per entry
  • Single entry
  • As fast as 15 minutes
Apply now

Our South Korea visa application process

  1. Complete the application

    Answer a few simple questions and upload your documents, choose your processing speed, and pay securely. Most travelers finish in minutes.

  2. We review and submit your application

    Our experts check your application for the errors that cause government rejections, fix them with you, then submit it directly to the South Korea government on your behalf.

  3. Receive your South Korea travel document

    Once approved, your South Korea travel document arrives by email — ready to travel, with clear instructions on how to use it.

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Illustration of the iVisa online application process
10 minutesTime it takes to apply

Why choose iVisa?

Applying for a visa on your own can be confusing and time-consuming. iVisa simplifies the process, reviews errors, and gives you peace of mind — so you just show up and travel.

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Error detection to prevent rejections
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  • 3M+happy customers
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  • 13+years of experience
  • 99%approval rate across all destinations
  • It was pretty straightforward. Just have copies of your passport ready to upload. This was about 4 million times easier than the Indian version.
    GarethSeptember 4, 2026
  • It was easy to apply for the visa. I received the document on the same day of my application.
    Joseph WarriesAugust 17, 2026
  • Honestly so simple you almost think it is a Fraud...but it isn't!! great Ai. good service
    Sonia RosevalJune 28, 2026
  • Ok, but it took so long to get confirmation, and it was a bit frustrating to see if I had been granted entry to S Korea. It was delivered, but I still do not know if I will be allowed to enter the country in two days. I will be at the hotel, and the return tickets are already booked. What if? Certain countries, such as the USA, Canada, and the EU, should receive approval right away.
    Tenzin SamphoJune 16, 2026
  • Simple and clear Very easy to follow and when I could not get my husband's scan of his passport page and tried three times you allowed me to continue. Thank you Heather Henderson Gordon Date of experience 27/05/2026
    HEATHER ANN HENDERSON GORDONJune 3, 2026
  • The service was quick and I received constant updates on the Visa process.
    Masana MathebulaMay 29, 2026
  • Even though at beginning I felt it is expensive,but iVisa give me a big support when I am panic Infront of the check in counter after staff there told me I can't boarding and they didn't fully guide me to get K-ETA,thanks ivisa's great help,the confirm predictions of done ready K-ETA for customer and now even early16 hours send me the approval make me easy in planing my future flight.
    ChiristineMay 27, 2026
  • what made it great is that I can process my visa online and it is safe.
    RAYMOND SMITHMay 25, 2026
  • I only found out I needed a visa one week before my flight. I was incredibly stressed and panicked about missing my trip. Fortunately, iVisa delivered the approved visa right on schedule. They completely saved my vacation and put my mind at ease. I am so grateful for their incredibly fast service and will definitely use them for all my future visa processing.
    Wafaa KAMALMay 24, 2026
  • Instructions were clear and turnaround was quick. The only thing missing was a list of items you will need before you get started.
    Marilyn GoolMay 10, 2026
See all 65 reviews

South Korea visa FAQs

What travelers commonly ask about South Korea visas.

Still have questions?

Our visa experts are available 24/7 on chat, email, and WhatsApp.

Do I need a K-ETA or the South Korea e-Arrival Card?

Most travelers entering South Korea must complete the digital e-Arrival Card in the 72 hours before arrival. If you have a valid K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization), you're exempt from filing the e-Arrival Card. Travelers from visa-waiver countries can choose between the K-ETA or the e-Arrival Card (required for each entry).

Do I need a visa for South Korea?

You only need a traditional visa if your country isn't visa-exempt, or if you plan to work, study, or stay long-term. Otherwise, most travelers will only need a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) not a visa. A temporary exemption also lets 22 nationalities, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, skip the K-ETA entirely until 31 December 2026, though they must still file the e-Arrival Card.

How do I apply for a South Korea visa?

Start an application with iVisa and answer a few questions about your nationality and trip. We'll confirm whether you need the K-ETA or the e-Arrival Card. Upload your passport details and a photo, choose your processing speed, and submit. Our team reviews your application for errors before it goes to the South Korean government, and we'll send your approved travel document by email.

What is the current K-ETA exemption for 2026?

The South Korean government has extended a temporary K-ETA exemption until December 31, 2026, for 22 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States (including Guam). If you are from these countries, you can enter without a K-ETA, but you will still need to fill out a digital e-Arrival Card before arriving in the country.

How long can I stay in South Korea with an ETA?

The stay duration depends on your nationality. Most travelers (like those from the US or EU) can stay for 90 days. Others, like citizens of Canada, may stay for up to 6 months, while some nationalities are limited to 30 days.

Can I use the South Korea ETA for business trips or work?

The K-ETA covers short-term business trips, such as attending meetings, signing contracts, or participating in conferences. It does not allow for long-term employment or receiving a salary from a Korean source.

When should I apply for the South Korea e-Arrival Card?

You must submit the e-Arrival Card within 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival in South Korea. Applications submitted too early may not be accepted by the system. With iVisa, you can submit your info anytime, and we'll queue it to process exactly within the required 72-hour window.

Do children/minors need a South Korea ETA?

Yes. Every traveler, including infants and minors, must have their own ETA. Parents can manage the application for their children through iVisa by using the 'Add another person' option.

What are the most common reasons a South Korea application is denied?

The most frequent reasons are mismatched passport details (typos in the passport number), blurry photos, or providing an invalid South Korean address. iVisa's expert review catches errors before submission to avoid delays.

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