Electronic arrival card & K-ETA prep

Important

Rules change by nationality, passport type, and date. This page is a planning overview, not legal advice. Always verify for your passport on the official sites linked below before you book or board.

K-ETA and e-Arrival are different systems

• K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is a pre-boarding authorization for many visa-free short visits. Apply only at www.k-eta.go.kr (or the official K-ETA app). Fee is about KRW 10,000 (roughly USD 7–8). Assessment is generally within 72 hours. An approved K-ETA is typically valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first — it does not extend your visa-free stay length.
• e-Arrival card is the electronic arrival declaration you submit before immigration. It is free, separate from K-ETA, and lives only at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr. Do not pay on look-alike sites.

Use the site’s e-Arrival Card Navigator (VISA / K-ETA / RESIDENCE CARD / NONE) to check whether you must submit.

What travelers usually need (verify officially)

Official target & exclusion guide: e-Arrival — who must declare.

Temporary K-ETA exemption (through 31 Dec 2026, KST)

The Ministry of Justice extended the temporary K-ETA exemption for designated nationals through December 31, 2026 (KST).

Lists published by Visit Korea (as of its April 2026 page update) include, for example:

• Asia: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau
• North America: United States (including Guam), Canada
• Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

Always confirm on www.k-eta.go.kr — lists and dates can change. During K-ETA signup, a pop-up may tell you if your nationality is exempt.

Exempt travelers may still voluntarily apply for K-ETA (fee applies; usually non-refundable) if they want K-ETA-linked benefits such as not submitting an arrival card. Existing approved K-ETAs remain usable until their own expiry.

e-Arrival timing (KST)

Per the official e-Arrival guide:

1. 1
   Filing opens from 3 days before arrival, based on Korea Standard Time (KST), through immigration inspection (arrival day counts).
2. 2
   After submission, the card is valid for 72 hours. If you do not arrive within that window, submit again.
3. 3
   You can view/edit stay details on the official site before immigration; the arrival date can only be corrected within 3 days of the initial submission.
4. 4
   Re-entry later needs a new arrival card.

Prefer submitting early in the window (not at the jet bridge). Screenshot or save the issue number from email — useful offline even though you may not need to show a printout.

What to prepare for e-Arrival

• Valid passport
• Email address (issue number is emailed)
• Arrival date and flight number
• Place of stay in Korea
• Departure date / flight (optional on the form)

Fee: free on the official site only. Immigration has warned about fake e-Arrival websites that ask for payment — use only `www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr`.

Families / groups: PC web can submit larger groups (official guide: up to 1,000); smartphone/mobile web is limited (official guide: up to 9 at once). Confirm current limits on the site.

After landing (ICN and other ports)

Expect Arrival → Immigration → Baggage → Customs. Have your passport, hotel/stay address, and return plan ready. Multilingual signs and staff are common at major lanes.

See also: Entry overview, Airport arrival (ICN), Immigration FAQ, and Hi Korea for foreigner services.