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South Korea visa requirements

Most foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries, including US, EU, and UK citizens, can travel to South Korea without a visa for short-term stays. To expedite border entry, they can apply for a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) online before departure. Other nationals not on the visa-waiver list must apply for a normal embassy-issued visa or an online eVisa in advance.

Travelers entering South Korea who don't hold a valid K-ETA are required to complete a mandatory digital e-Arrival Card within three days before departure.

General South Korea visa requirements are:

Passport valid at the time of entry (at least six months recommended)
Recent digital passport photo
Travel details (such as flight information and a specific South Korean accommodation address)
Additional supporting documents depending on nationality and purpose of travel

South Korea visas available through iVisa

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)
South Korea e-Arrival Card
South Korea Short-Term Visitor Visa (C-3)*
South Korea eVisa*
South Korea Digital Nomad Visa (Workation Visa)*
South Korea Working Holiday Visa (H-1)*

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

Purpose: The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is a digital entry permit for travelers from eligible visa-exempt countries visiting for tourism, events, business meetings, or family visits.

When to apply: It’s recommended to apply at least one week in advance, though the official minimum is 72 hours.

Duration and extensions: The K-ETA is valid for up to 3 years (or until the passport expires), allowing a maximum stay of 30 to 90 days per visit depending on your nationality. It cannot be extended from within South Korea.

Entries: The authorization is issued as a multiple-entry document.

Delivery format: An approved K-ETA is electronically linked to your passport, and no physical copy is required at the border, though keeping a digital confirmation on your phone is recommended.

South Korea e-Arrival Card

Purpose: The South Korea e-Arrival Card is a mandatory online entry declaration form required for all foreign visitors entering South Korea who do not hold an active visa or a valid K-ETA. It completely replaces the old paper-based physical arrival forms.

When to apply: You must submit it within 3 days (72 hours) before your scheduled arrival in South Korea.

Duration and extensions: It’s strictly for a single entry and is valid for 72 hours from the time of submission. It doesn't grant a specific length of stay; that is determined by your visa or visa-exempt status.

Entries: The declaration is issued as a single-entry document.

Delivery format: After submission, you’ll receive a digital confirmation. You should it on your mobile device to show immigration officers upon arrival.

South Korea Short-Term Visitor Visa (C-3)*

This is for travelers from visa-required countries visiting for short-term tourism, family visits, or business trips. A single-entry visa is valid for 3 months, while a multiple-entry visa can be valid for up to 5 years, depending on the applicant's nationality. You must obtain this before travel by submitting documents to a Korean diplomatic mission or a designated application center.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

South Korea eVisa*

This is for specialized foreign professionals, tech researchers, and designated group tourists who do not require a consular interview. A single-entry visa is valid for 3 months, while a multiple-entry visa can be valid for up to 5 years, depending on the professional track. You must obtain this before travel.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

South Korea Digital Nomad Visa (Workation Visa)*

This is for high-earning foreign remote workers and corporate freelancers wishing to live in the country while working for an overseas employer. A multiple-entry visa is valid for 1 year, with the possibility of extending for up to 2 years. You must obtain this before travel by applying in person at a South Korean embassy or consulate.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

South Korea Working Holiday Visa (H-1)*

This is for young adults aged 18 to 30 from participating partner nations wishing to holiday in the country while undertaking incidental employment to fund their stay. A single-entry visa is valid for up to 1 year and cannot be extended. You must obtain this before travel by applying at an overseas South Korean embassy.

*We currently don’t offer this visa.

South Korea visa prices and processing times

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

Prices starting from $59.99

Valid for 3 years after issued

Multiple entry

Stay up to 90 days per entry

Get it as fast as 2 days

South Korea e-Arrival Card

Prices starting from $69.99

Valid for 4 days after issued

Single entry

Stay up to 30 days per entry

Get it as fast as 15 minutes

South Korea visa quick facts

iVisa approval rate

99%

Main reason for denials

Unclear photo scans / mismatched details

Average time it takes to apply

10 mins

Our South Korea visa application process

Complete your online application

Answer a few simple questions to find out whether you need a K-ETA, e-Arrival Card, or another South Korean visa or document. Then, upload your documents and pay securely. You can save your progress and come back anytime. Most people finish in less than 10 minutes.

We’ll guide you through any unclear questions during the application process.

We review your application

The South Korea visa system is known for being a bit picky – your photo must be the right size, and your passport scan must be clear.

Don’t worry – we review your whole application to catch anything that might cause delays. One of our experts checks everything for errors or missing information to make sure it’s ready to go. This review is quick but thorough.

We submit it for government processing

We’re not the South Korean government, but we submit your application to them and are here for you along the way if there are any problems.

Get your South Korea visa

We’ll email your approved K-ETA and/or South Korea e-Arrival Card and let you know how to use it for your trip.

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Why choose iVisa?

Applying for a visa on your own can be confusing and time-consuming. iVisa simplifies the process, reduces errors, and gives you peace of mind.

Benefit	Applying by yourself	iVisa
Simple, easy forms	Not included	Included
24x7 support from visa experts	Not included	Included
Error detection to prevent rejections	Not included	Included
World's easiest passport scan	Not included	Included
Multiple payment methods	Not included	Included

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24/7customer support

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10 years of experience

98% visa approval rate

Verified South Korea visa reviews

Travelers to South Korea rated this product a 4.8 out of 5 based on 12 reviews.

4.8 out of 5

Melisa

June 26, 2026

"IVisa’s application process was seamless. Their immediate response rate when I had queries was extremely impressive. I would highly recommend their services to travellers."
Mireya Y.

May 6, 2025

"It was a great experience the ivisa website was straightforward and easy to use with no complications. Many thanks to the ivisa team!"
Andres M.

April 1, 2025

"A helpful tool that provides all the necessary information, making it easy to follow each step until completion Thank you"
Caroline K.

March 17, 2025

"thank you so much. Your team is outstanding. Great service, great attitude!"
Charlie R.

November 12, 2024

"The process was effortless to apply for the visa"
Heike

April 20, 2026

"Easy way of applying. Loved it! Thank you!"
Ariana W.

April 11, 2025

"Easy to follow, and very educational!"
Anna P.

January 21, 2025

"Fast and seamless experience!!"
Iris L.

December 30, 2025

"Very clear and simple process"
Max S.

December 8, 2024

"Quick and simple service"

See all 12 reviews

South Korea visa FAQs

What travelers commonly ask about South Korea visas.

Do I need a visa to visit South Korea for tourism or business?

It depends on your nationality. Citizens from over 100 countries enjoy visa-exempt entry for short-term tourism or business meetings. Furthermore, under a special tourism promotion policy running through December 31, 2026, the South Korean government has temporarily exempted travelers from 22 specific visa-waiver nations—including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and parts of the EU—from needing a pre-entry travel visa or authorization. If your country isn't on the visa-waiver list, you must secure a traditional short-term visitor visa (C-3) or an online eVisa before departure.

What is the required passport validity to enter South Korea?

Officially, South Korean immigration requires your passport to be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay. However, many international commercial airlines still apply a strict baseline rule requiring at least 6 months of remaining validity from your departure date to permit boarding. To avoid boarding gate denials, ensure your passport has a comfortable validity buffer and at least two completely blank pages for entry stamps.

Can I work remotely or engage in business on a standard tourist entry?

You can participate in non-remunerative business activities like attending corporate conferences, signing contracts, or scouting locations. You cannot work for a Korean company or earn local income. For digital nomads and remote workers employed by overseas entities, South Korea offers a dedicated Digital Nomad (Workation) Visa allowing foreign professionals to legally reside in the country for up to two years while working remotely.

What is the difference between the K-ETA and the South Korea e-Arrival Card?

They operate as two completely separate digital entry frameworks:

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): This is a mandatory pre-travel electronic screening permit for visa-exempt travelers. It is valid for up to 3 years.
South Korea e-Arrival Card: This is a digital replacement for the old paper arrival forms distributed on flights. It logs your local address and flight info. If you already hold a valid K-ETA or a physical Korean Residence Card, you are exempt from filling out the e-Arrival Card.

Is the physical paper arrival card still accepted at South Korean airports?

The South Korea e-Arrival Card system is the primary electronic standard for immigration clearance. While paper forms may still exist as emergency airport fallbacks for unexpected tech failures, travelers are expected to complete the digital version online before boarding. Completing it digitally links your profile straight to automated biometric smart gates at major entry hubs like Incheon Airport.

When is the earliest I can submit my South Korea e-Arrival Card?

You can submit the form online starting 3 days (72 hours) before your scheduled arrival time in South Korea (KST). The portal will block any premature attempts to submit travel info. If your flight is delayed or you don't clear immigration within that 72-hour window, the digital card automatically expires, and you must submit a fresh declaration profile.

How long does it take for a K-ETA to get approved, and what are the rules for updating it?

K-ETA applications are generally assessed within 72 hours of submission, though peak travel spikes can delay results. Once your K-ETA is approved, you don't need to reapply for subsequent trips within its 3-year validity window. However, you are legally required to log back into the official K-ETA portal and update your local Korean accommodation address and contact number before every single entry, or you may face fines at border control.

Do children/minors need their own K-ETA or South Korea e-Arrival Card?

No for the K-ETA, but yes for the e-Arrival Card. Travelers aged 17 and under are completely exempt from the K-ETA requirement. However, there are no age exemptions for the South Korea e-Arrival Card; every single traveler, including infants and minors who do not hold a K-ETA, must have their own individual digital arrival card submitted before landing.

Do I need a K-ETA or e-Arrival Card to transit in South Korea?

If you're remaining strictly within the international airport transit area (such as Incheon Airport) for a connecting flight and not passing through immigration, you don't need a K-ETA or an e-Arrival Card. However, if you must leave the transit zone to collect baggage, switch airports, or pass through immigration during a long layover, an active K-ETA or traditional transit visa is mandatory.

How will I receive the K-ETA or South Korea e-Arrival Card?

Once your K-ETA is approved, it is electronically linked directly to your passport, and you'll receive a confirmation email. For the e-Arrival Card, upon completing your online submission, you'll receive an instant confirmation email that you should download to your mobile device to scan at the airport's automated immigration gates.

How long does the K-ETA and South Korea e-Arrival Card processing take?

The South Korea e-Arrival Card is processed within 24 hours and must be filled out within 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival.

The K-ETA is usually processed quickly. With iVisa, you can get your K-ETA in as little as 1 day (depending on your application and chosen delivery speed). We recommend applying at least 5 days before your departure date to account for any unexpected government delays.

What happens if my K-ETA application is denied?

If denied, you will receive a notification via email. The most common reasons for denial are providing the wrong details on the application or poor-quality scans. You can usually re-apply by submitting a completely new application with corrected information.

iVisa offers denial protection. Our experts manually review your application before submission to prevent these common issues.