Trip Essentials

Do You Need K-ETA or a Korea e-Arrival Card? (2026)

Published: Aug 19, 2026 · Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Do you need K-ETA or a Korea e-Arrival Card in 2026? Start with how you will enter Korea. If you enter visa-free with a valid K-ETA, you normally do not submit an arrival card. If you are entering with a visa, your K-ETA does not replace the visa or automatically exempt you from the arrival declaration.

A visa, K-ETA, and an arrival declaration are three different requirements. Use the decision box below for the common cases, then confirm your passport and entry status on the official government websites before departure.

30-second decision

Entering with a Korean visa: Do not apply for K-ETA. Check the official e-Arrival Card Navigator because most visa holders must submit an arrival declaration until they complete residence registration.
Visa-free and K-ETA required: Obtain K-ETA approval before boarding. When you enter visa-free with a valid K-ETA, you normally do not submit an arrival card.
Visa-free and temporarily K-ETA exempt: K-ETA is not required during the exemption period, but you will usually submit the free e-Arrival Card instead.
Valid Korean residence card: You normally need neither K-ETA nor an arrival card. Carry the passport and residence documents required for your status.

The temporary exemption does not apply to every visa-free passport. Confirm your current status with the official e-Arrival Card Navigator and the official K-ETA portal.

Last checked: September 28, 2026 (KST). Korea’s entry rules can change. Always confirm your nationality, visa, K-ETA status, and arrival-declaration requirement on the official sites linked in this guide before you fly.

Travelers with luggage carts in the arrivals hall at Incheon International Airport

Table of Contents

Korea Entry Requirements: 30-Second Check

Your situation	K-ETA	e-Arrival Card	What to do
You need a Korean visa	No	Usually yes until you complete residence registration; exemptions vary	Travel with your visa and check the official e-Arrival Card Navigator
Visa-free and K-ETA required	Yes — approval must be obtained before boarding.	No while your K-ETA is valid	Apply through the official K-ETA portal
Visa-free and temporarily K-ETA exempt	No	Usually yes	Submit the free e-Arrival Card within the permitted window
You hold a valid Korean residence card	No	No	Travel with the passport and residence documents required for your status

This table covers the most common cases, not every visa or immigration status. The official e-Arrival Card Navigator is the safest way to confirm whether you must submit an arrival declaration.

Your Entry Timeline: Before Departure to Immigration

1. Before departure

Confirm whether your passport qualifies for visa-free entry or requires a visa.
If you are visa-free, check whether K-ETA is required or temporarily exempt for your passport.
If you must submit an arrival declaration, complete the free e-Arrival Card within three days before arrival in Korea.
Save your K-ETA approval or e-Arrival Card confirmation, first accommodation address, and contact details for offline access.

2. At airline check-in

Use the same passport connected to your visa, K-ETA, or arrival declaration.
The airline may check whether you have the documents required for your nationality and route. Keep the approval or confirmation available even though routine printing is not required.

3. After arriving in Korea

Do not depend on an airport internet connection. Keep the confirmation email or PDF and your accommodation details saved on your phone.
If the official service is unavailable or you still need to file, follow instructions from your airline or Korean immigration staff. Do not hand passport or payment information to an unofficial helper.

4. At immigration

Follow the foreign-passport signs and present the passport used for your entry documents.
Be ready to confirm your travel purpose, accommodation, and planned length of stay if asked.
K-ETA approval does not guarantee admission. The immigration officer makes the final entry decision.

Do You Need a Visa for South Korea?

Korea allows visa-free short stays for citizens of many countries, but eligibility and the permitted length of stay depend on your passport, purpose of travel, and planned stay. K-ETA is not a visa. It is an electronic travel authorization used by certain visa-free travelers.

Check the Korea Visa Portal or contact the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your area before booking anything non-refundable. Your passport must meet the rules that apply to your nationality, visa status, and airline. Do not assume every traveler needs six months of passport validity.

Jeju has separate visa-free arrangements for some travelers, but nationality, route, transit, and island-only stay restrictions matter. Do not rely on a general Jeju exception without checking your exact itinerary with an official Korean immigration source.

K-ETA vs. Korea e-Arrival Card: What’s the Difference?

Category	K-ETA	Korea e-Arrival Card
What it is	Travel authorization for eligible visa-free visitors	An electronic arrival declaration, not an entry approval
Who needs it	Visa-free travelers who are not exempt	Foreign travelers who are required to submit an arrival declaration, including most visa holders and K-ETA-exempt visa-free visitors. Travelers entering visa-free with a valid K-ETA, registered residents, and certain other groups are exempt. A traveler entering with a visa must follow the visa and arrival-declaration rules even if they also hold K-ETA.
When to complete it	Apply well in advance; approval must be obtained before boarding	From 3 days before arrival, based on Korea Standard Time
Approval	Normally processed within 72 hours, but it can take longer	No approval process; you receive a submission issue number
Cost	KRW 10,000 plus payment-related fees; non-refundable	Free
Validity	Up to 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first	72 hours after submission
Multiple entries	Yes, while valid	No. One submission covers one entry
Do you need to print it?	No	No
Official site	k-eta.go.kr	e-arrivalcard.go.kr
What changes require action?	A new passport requires a new K-ETA. On the official portal, update your purpose of entry, address in Korea, contact details, scheduled arrival and departure dates, and accompanying travelers when they change.	Edit before immigration when permitted; submit again after expiration or for a new entry

Korea’s temporary K-ETA exemption for designated countries and regions runs from January 1 through December 31, 2026, Korea Standard Time. It does not cover every visa-free passport. Check the official 2026 exemption notice and confirm your current status on the official portal. Travelers age 17 and under and age 65 and older are also exempt from the K-ETA requirement.

Can you apply for K-ETA even if you are temporarily exempt? Yes. An exempt traveler may still apply voluntarily and pay the application fee. This can be useful for repeat visitors because travelers entering with a valid K-ETA do not need to submit an arrival card. For a single trip, the free e-Arrival Card may be the simpler option.

Don’t mix up the exemptions: A K-ETA exemption usually means you still need the e-Arrival Card. A valid K-ETA generally exempts you from the arrival declaration. The e-Arrival Card’s child rule is different: a form for a traveler age 14 or younger must be submitted by another person.

K-ETA approval does not guarantee entry. The immigration officer makes the final admission decision. There is also no official expedited K-ETA service, so avoid third-party sites promising instant approval.

How and When to Submit the Korea e-Arrival Card

The e-Arrival Card is Korea’s free online arrival declaration. The paper-card option was part of the transition period through the end of 2025. In 2026, travelers who must file an arrival declaration should use the official e-Arrival Card service. If the official service is unavailable, follow instructions from your airline or Korean immigration staff.

Avoid lookalike sites: The only official e-Arrival Card address is www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr, and the service is free. The official K-ETA service is www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app; the government fee is KRW 10,000 plus payment-processing fees, and there is no official expedited service. Search ads and similar-looking domains may be third-party services.

Use only the official site. Go to e-arrivalcard.go.kr. A site charging an application or processing fee is not the official service.
Wait until the filing window opens. You can submit from three days before your scheduled arrival date, calculated in Korea Standard Time. A submission expires 72 hours after it is made if you have not entered Korea.
Prepare the details. You will need your passport, email address, flight or vessel details, address and contact information in Korea, purpose of entry, and occupation. You will need your expected departure date. Your departure flight or vessel number is optional.
Scan or enter your passport carefully. If you use the passport scan, compare the name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and expiration date with the machine-readable zone before continuing.
Add your stay information. If you will use several hotels, enter the primary or first accommodation. Use the address-search tools on the official site when needed.
Review and submit. After submission, the issue number is sent by email. Save the message or PDF for your records, but you do not need to print or show it as a routine step.
Correct changes before immigration. Update editable details through the official service. If the submission expires, or if you leave Korea and return, submit a new declaration.

Families or companions arriving on the same flight or vessel and date can submit together. The mobile website allows up to nine travelers in one submission. On a PC, the group service allows from 2 to 1,000 travelers in one submission. For a traveler age 14 or younger, another person must submit the declaration on the child’s behalf.

If the Portal, Payment, or Confirmation Fails

If a K-ETA payment stops with a 3DS payer-authentication error, the official K-ETA FAQ says to contact the card issuer. Before paying again, use Check Application Results or Continue to Application to confirm whether an application was already created. For another K-ETA issue, use the official Ask Us form; the K-ETA center says it generally does not provide phone or face-to-face consultations.

If an e-Arrival Card confirmation email does not arrive, use Check/Edit on the official e-Arrival Card site with the issue number or email verification. If the service is still unavailable or you need filing help, contact earrivalcard@korea.kr or call 1345 in Korea / +82-2-1345 from overseas. The e-Arrival Card is free, so do not move to a site that asks for payment.

What Happens at Immigration?

Follow the foreign-passport immigration signs. Lane names vary by airport and immigration status, so follow the signs and staff directions rather than assuming every airport uses the same layout.
Present the passport used for your application or declaration. The document details must match your K-ETA or e-Arrival Card record.
Complete the entry check. Foreign visitors age 17 and older generally provide fingerprints and a facial image, although legal exemptions apply.
Answer simple questions if asked. An officer may confirm the purpose of your trip, where you are staying, and how long you plan to remain.
Collect your baggage and follow customs guidance. Use Korea Customs Service instructions for restricted goods, cash declarations, and duty-free allowances.

Immigration officers can check the e-Arrival Card electronically. The issue number or saved PDF is useful as a backup for your own reference, but printing is not required.

K-ETA and Korea e-Arrival Card FAQ

Do I need to print my K-ETA approval?

No. K-ETA approval is linked electronically to the passport used in the application. You do not need a printed approval letter, although keeping the approval email or a screenshot can be useful for your own records.

Do I need to print or show my Korea e-Arrival Card?

No. Immigration can verify the submission electronically. Save the confirmation email, issue number, or PDF as a backup, but printing or routinely showing it is not required.

Do I need K-ETA or an e-Arrival Card?

It depends on your status. A visa-free traveler who needs K-ETA applies for K-ETA and is generally exempt from the e-Arrival Card while it is valid. A visa-free traveler who is temporarily exempt from K-ETA usually submits the e-Arrival Card instead.

If I am exempt from K-ETA, do I still need an e-Arrival Card?

Usually, yes. K-ETA exemption and arrival-declaration exemption are separate. Check the official e-Arrival Card Navigator for your exact status.

When should I fill out the Korea e-Arrival Card?

Submit it from three days before your scheduled arrival date, based on Korea Standard Time. It expires 72 hours after submission if you have not entered Korea.

Do I need a new K-ETA after renewing my passport?

Yes. A K-ETA is tied to the passport used in the application. Apply for a new K-ETA after receiving a new passport.

Which address should I enter if I am staying at multiple hotels?

Enter your primary or first accommodation in Korea. Keep the rest of your itinerary available in case an officer asks about it.

What if my flight, hotel, or arrival date changes?

Update editable information through the official site before immigration. An e-Arrival Card expires 72 hours after submission, so submit a new one if a delay or changed arrival date pushes you past that limit. For K-ETA, use the official portal to update your purpose of entry, address in Korea, contact details, scheduled arrival and departure dates, and accompanying travelers when they change.

Do transit passengers need K-ETA or an e-Arrival Card?

No, not if you remain airside and do not pass through Korean immigration. If you leave the transit area, collect baggage, change airports, or enter Korea for a hotel stay, the normal entry rules apply.

Can I use a paper arrival card instead?

The paper-card option was available during the transition period through the end of 2025. In 2026, submit the free official e-Arrival Card if you are required to file an arrival declaration. If the official service is unavailable, follow instructions from your airline or Korean immigration staff.

What are the K-ETA and e-Arrival Card rules for children and older travelers?

Travelers aged 17 or younger and those aged 65 or older are exempt from K-ETA. A child may still need an e-Arrival Card under the arrival-declaration rules. For a traveler aged 14 or younger, another person must submit it on the child’s behalf.

You’re In: What to Do Next

Once you clear immigration, compare AREX, airport buses, and taxis from Incheon Airport to Seoul. If you want a step-by-step plan for arrival day, use our First 24 Hours in Seoul guide.

Pre-Departure Checklist

☐ Confirm my visa or visa-free eligibility for the passport I will use and my trip purpose
☐ Check whether K-ETA is required, exempt, or not applicable
☐ Confirm that my valid K-ETA matches my current passport, if using one
☐ Apply for K-ETA early enough, if required
☐ Update my K-ETA travel information after any hotel, contact, flight, or date change
☐ Submit the e-Arrival Card from 3 days before arrival, if required
☐ Confirm the e-Arrival Card will still be within 72 hours at immigration
☐ Save the K-ETA approval or e-Arrival issue number and expiration time for reference
☐ Check whether recent travel triggers a Q-Code or health-questionnaire requirement
☐ Prepare my first accommodation address and contact number
☐ Confirm passport-validity and airline requirements for my situation
☐ Recheck the official guidance shortly before departure

Travelers beneath flight information boards at Incheon International Airport

Official Sources

Last checked: September 28, 2026 (KST). Entry and public-health policies can change, so verify your passport, visa status, K-ETA eligibility, and arrival-declaration requirement on the official government sites before departure.