K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)
There has been increasing reports on fake K-ETA websites that are charging more than 100USD.
Please use the Official K-ETA website.www.k-eta.go.kr
K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization thatvisa-free foreign visitorsneed to obtain before entering the Republic of Korea, by submitting relevant information online such as their travel information.
Purpose of travel should be tourism, visiting a family member, participating in events or meetings, or commercial business (excluding pursuit of profit).
1. Starting 1st September 2021, K-ETA is required for foreigners entering Korea from visa waiver countries and visa-free countries.Foreigners without either a K-ETA or a valid Visa will not be permittedto board a planeto Korea.(You do not need a K-ETA if you have a valid visa. Also, you do not need a visa if you have a valid K-ETA.)
2. There are (temporary) K-ETA exempt countries among the visa waiver countries and visa-free countries mentioned above. If your country is exempt from K-ETA requirement, there will be a pop up screen during your application process that your country is exempt from K-ETA but you can also choose to apply.
3. Please check if your country(nationality) is Eligible for K-ETAk-eta.go.kr.
You can also check if your country(nationality) is exempt from K-ETA by going through the application process. (This case, you do need visa, nor K-ETA to enter Korea)
Country Catagory | Requirement to enter Korea |
Country Eligible for K-ETA | K-ETA, Valid passport |
Country Eligible for K-ETA but temporarily Exempt | Valid passport |
Country Eligible for K-ETA but you are one of the below 'Exeption'** | Valid passport |
Country not-eligible for K-ETA | Visa, Valid passport |
**Exceptions: ▷Only UN passport holder, ABTC holder, USFK service member, aircraft and ship crew member, transfer passenger, Jeju Island travellers using a direct flight to Jeju Island arenot requiredto apply for K-ETA. ▷Diplomatic or official passport holders, from 9th January 2023, arenot requiredto apply for K-ETA. ▷Ages 17 years old and under, and 65 years old and above,will be exempted from July 3 2023. ▷K-ETA will temporarily be exempted for 22 countries from 2023.4.1 to 2023.12.31.Please check K-ETA Official Website. |
How to apply
- You can apply for your K-ETA at the official K-ETA websitewww.k-eta.go.kr(PC and mobile app)
- You must apply for K-ETA at least 72 hours ~ 1 week before boarding your flight or ship bound to the Republic of Korea.
* Your application may be filled out by proxy.
*You can apply for up to 30 people at once.
Items to prepare
-valid passport, credit card(for fee payment), email address, recent profile photo
Check the result
- You can check the result within 72 hoursof application either via email or on the website.
(Due to the increased number of K-ETA applicants, the process is currently taking more than 72 hours)
Period of validity
- The period of validity is 2 years from the date of authorization.
(Validity period will be expanded to3 yearsfrom K-ETA applied from July 3, 2023)
Fees
- The fee is 10,000 KRW (approximately $9-10, Additional fee excluded).
Re-application
- Please note that the information entered cannot be modified once the application is submitted. You must re-apply for K-ETA even if your current K-ETA is still valid, in case you entered incorrect information or the information you entered changed, such as your name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport information (passport number or expiration date), criminal history, and infectious disease information.
Exempt from arrival card
- Those who have the authorized K-ETA are exempted from filling out the arrival card upon arrival.
Information and Inquiry
- K-ETA is NOT a visa. K-ETA approval does not guarantee admission of the Republic of Korea; a Korea Immigration Service officer at the port of entry will have the final determiniation. -Since K-ETA center is not in charge of Quarantine, please contact the department in charge for detailed information on the quarantine requirements. (☏1339)
- Visit the official K-ETA website atwww.k-eta.go.krfor more details.
- For questions,use‘Ask Us’ on the website (Available in Korean, English, Russian, and Thai). The Embassy and K-ETA organization are different entities, and therefore the Embassy can not answer to queries.
- Korean Postal Code search:https://www.epost.go.kr/roadAreaCdEng.retrieveRdEngAreaCdList.comm
----IMPORTANT ALERT!---- Non-official Websites for K-ETA Application |
- Recently, non-official K-ETA application websites were found to be charging more than the official fee. One website's price for the K-ETA application was even 20 times more than the official fee. -K-ETA can only be applied from the K-ETA official website(www.k-eta.go.kr) and mobile app(K-ETA).The Government of the Republic of Korea has not designated any application agencies for K-ETA. - The K-ETA fee is 10,000KRW (approx 9euros. additional fee excluded) and does not charge any extra fees. - If you have any questions on the K-ETA application procedure, pelase visit the K-ETA official website (www.k-eta.go.kr) - Notice - Questions (available in English, Russian, and Thai). - Please be extra cautious to avoid any financial damages or frauds due to non-official application agencies. |
