Get the South Korea visa for US citizens
Fast, secure, and expert-led visa processing for US citizens traveling to South Korea
South Korea visa requirements for US citizens
United States citizens do not need a visa for short stays in South Korea when traveling for tourism, business, or familial reasons. However, they will need to complete a South Korea e-Arrival Card before traveling. The application for a South Korea ETA can be done entirely online.
South Korea e-Arrival Card: This document allows United States citizens a visa-free entry to South Korea for up to 30 days. It must be used (travelers must enter South Korea) within 4 days of being issued.
South Korea entry requirements for US citizens
Requirements verified against official government sources
- South Korea e-Arrival Card
- United States passport valid for at least six months
- Passport bio page
- Personal details
- Trip details
South Korea visa cost for US citizens
One all-in price. The checkout total includes our service fee, expert review, and support — no surprises.
South Korea e-Arrival CardArrival card
- Who it's for
- The e-Arrival Card is for most foreign travelers entering South Korea who do not hold a valid K-ETA. Travelers from visa-waiver countries can choose between the K-ETA or the e-Arrival Card.
- Permitted activities
- Entering South Korea for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term study. The e-Arrival Card is an entry declaration, not a visa.
- Duration and entries
- The e-Arrival Card is a single-entry declaration. You must submit a new card for every trip. It doesn't set your stay length itself; that's governed by your nationality's visa-waiver agreement or visa.
- When to apply
- You must submit the e-Arrival Card within 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival. With iVisa, you can submit your info anytime and we'll queue it to process within the required 72-hour window.
- Delivery format
- Once approved, you receive an email confirmation. The authorization is digitally linked to your passport, so there is no physical sticker or paper document to carry.
- Validity
- 4 days
- Length of stay
- 30 days per entry
- Entry
- Single entry
- Processing time
- Get it in as fast as 15 minutes
How US citizens can apply for a South Korea e-Arrival Card
Three simple steps — iVisa prepares, reviews, and files your South Korea document for your trip from the United States.
Complete the application
Answer a few simple questions and upload your documents, choose your processing speed, and pay securely. Most travelers finish in minutes.
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.
Receive your South Korea e-Arrival Card
Once approved, your South Korea e-Arrival Card arrives by email — ready to travel, with clear instructions on how to use it.
Why US citizens 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.
Start my application- 3M+happy customers
- 24/7customer support
- 13+years of experience
- 99%approval rate across all destinations
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.
I followed the instructions and the process was very simple and easy.
Had a struggle with app. But customer assistance quickly resolved issue for me. Very easy - very quick! Thank you!
This app made it easy to sign up for both visa and K-ETA. It’s 1000x better than the horrible K-ETA app
I'm old (a techno-moron) so your site was a god-send for me! Even I was able to manage the instructions successfully.
The process of filling out the Visa application was easy. I follow the steps and was able to complete the application in a timely manner
Approval came in less than two days! The only challenge was getting an acceptable passport scan.
I had a smooth and easy transaction that was completed very quickly. Communication was excellent.
The process was easy and fast. Also, the response time was quick and problem was fixed fast. They kept me updated on every steps. Thanks!
I could do it myself cheaper. I did. Now I have 2 QR codes.
South Korea visa FAQs
Quick answers for US citizens traveling to South Korea.
Still have questions?
Our visa experts are available 24/7 on chat, email, and WhatsApp.
Do United States citizens need a visa for South Korea?
For tourism stays up to 90 days, U.S. citizens do not need a visa. The typically required K-ETA is also waived through December 31, 2026. U.S. travelers will need to complete a South Korea e-Arrival card before their journey.
What is the processing time of a South Korea visa for United States applicants?
Processing times depend on the type of travel document applied for, with long-stay visas taking more time to process. With iVisa, you choose your processing speed at checkout, and the option you pick is shown with its delivery time before you pay.
How long can United States nationals stay in South Korea?
U.S. citizens can stay in South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or business. Extensions are generally not permitted. If you plan to stay longer or work, you must apply for a specific visa at a Korean embassy before you travel.
Do United States citizens need a visa when transiting through South Korea?
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to transit through South Korea, but your requirements depend on whether you stay in the 'sterile' transit area or pass through immigration. Airside Transit (Staying in the Terminal) Visa: Not required. Conditions: You must remain in the airport’s transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket for a third country. Process: Simply follow the 'Transit' signs to your next gate. Landside Transit (Passing Immigration) If you want to leave the airport (e.g., for a hotel, a long layover, or to change terminals at Incheon), you are entering the country. Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days). K-ETA: Waived for U.S. citizens through December 31, 2026. e-Arrival Card: Required. You must submit your flight and local contact info (even if just a hotel name) at e-arrivalcard.go.kr in the 3 days before you land
Can United States nationals extend their stay in South Korea?
Extensions are generally not granted for visa-free tourist stays. If you are a U.S. citizen entering for 90 days, you are expected to leave by the deadline. You can only extend this stay in extreme cases (e.g., medical emergency, flight cancellation, or natural disaster) by applying at a local Immigration Office via *Hi Korea* before your 90 days are up.
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