Last Updated: June 2026
Quick answer: The Korea entry requirements for 2026 hinge on one thing — your passport. Citizens of visa-waiver countries need no visa for short stays. Whether you also need a K-ETA depends on your passport: 22 countries and territories are temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026 (Japan, Taiwan, the US, the UK, Australia and 17 others — full list below), while other visa-free nationalities, Thailand and Malaysia among them, do need one. Either way, almost everyone must complete the free e-Arrival Card online before each arrival. From 1 January 2027, the K-ETA is expected to be required again for everyone.
Korea’s entry rules changed in 2026, and the headline is a new digital step: the e-Arrival Card. The good news is that the much-asked-about K-ETA is still waived for dozens of countries this year, so for a lot of travelers the paperwork is minimal. The catch is that almost everyone now has to file the e-Arrival Card before they fly. This guide breaks down exactly what you need — visa, K-ETA, e-Arrival Card — by traveler type, with the official sources to check.
Important: entry rules change and vary by nationality. Always confirm against the official government sites linked below before you travel — this guide is a starting point, not immigration advice.
Table of Contents
- Do You Need a Visa for South Korea?
- What Is the e-Arrival Card? (New in 2026)
- Do You Need a K-ETA in 2026?
- e-Arrival Card vs K-ETA: Which Do You Need?
- What Else Do You Need to Enter Korea?
- How Far Ahead Should You Sort This Out?
- Plan Your Trip
Do You Need a Visa for South Korea?
For most travelers, no. Citizens of visa-waiver countries — including the US, Canada, the UK, EU nations, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Singapore — can enter South Korea visa-free for short tourist or business stays, generally up to 90 days. The exact visa-free window varies by nationality (it ranges from 30 to 180 days), so check your own country’s allowance on the official Korea Immigration Service resources.
If your country is not on the visa-waiver list, or you’re staying longer or for work or study, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate visa through a Korean embassy or consulate before you travel. For everyone else, the rest of this guide covers the two digital steps that have replaced the old paper arrival card.
What Is the e-Arrival Card? (New in 2026)
The e-Arrival Card is a free, trip-specific digital form that replaces the old paper card you used to fill in on the plane. In 2026 it became mandatory for most foreign visitors, and it must be submitted online within three days before each arrival in Korea — so it’s a per-trip task, not a one-time registration.
You complete it at the official site, e-arrivalcard.go.kr, with your passport, travel, and accommodation details. It’s required for nearly everyone who doesn’t hold a valid K-ETA — including children and seniors. The main people exempt are travelers who already hold a valid K-ETA, registered foreign residents with a residence card, and on-duty flight or ship crew. Filing it before you fly means you can skip the paperwork at immigration and head straight for the gates.
Do You Need a K-ETA in 2026?
It depends on your passport, and this is the detail most guides get wrong. The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) applies to citizens of 112 visa-free countries and territories — but a temporary exemption, extended through 31 December 2026, covers only 22 of them. Those 22 are Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, the US (including Guam), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria. If your passport is on that list, you can skip the K-ETA in 2026 (you still need the e-Arrival Card).
If it isn’t, you still need the K-ETA even though you don’t need a visa — and that catches a lot of travelers out. Visa-free nationalities that are not exempt include Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, South Africa, Morocco, and most of the EU countries missing from the list above (Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Baltics among them). Without an approved K-ETA, airlines can refuse to board you.
If you do need or choose to get one, you apply at the official k-eta.go.kr — that site and the K-ETA mobile app are the only official channels, and lookalike agency sites charge far more. The fee is 10,000 KRW (roughly US$7–8) plus a 3% card-processing charge, an approval issued now is valid for three years (or until your passport expires) for multiple short stays, and assessment can take 72 hours or more — so don’t leave it to the last minute. Two useful exceptions: travellers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are exempt from the K-ETA requirement regardless of nationality, and holding a valid K-ETA exempts you from the separate e-Arrival Card.
e-Arrival Card vs K-ETA: Which Do You Need?
Here’s the quick logic for a 2026 trip, for visa-waiver nationalities:
| Your situation (2026) | What to file |
|---|---|
| From one of the 22 K-ETA-exempt countries | e-Arrival Card (free), before each arrival |
| Visa-free but not on the exempt list (e.g. Thailand) | K-ETA (10,000 KRW), before you fly |
| Aged 17 and under, or 65 and over | No K-ETA needed — e-Arrival Card only |
| You hold a valid K-ETA | Nothing extra — K-ETA covers you |
| Registered foreign resident / on-duty crew | Exempt from the e-Arrival Card |
| Traveling in 2027 onward | K-ETA expected to be required again |
In short: check the 22-country list first. If your passport is on it, 2026 means “no visa, no K-ETA, but yes to the free e-Arrival Card.” If it isn’t, you’re visa-free but still need the K-ETA before you fly. And if you already hold a K-ETA from a past trip that’s still valid, you’re covered and can skip the arrival card.
What Else Do You Need to Enter Korea?
Beyond the digital forms, the basics still apply: a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, and proof of where you’re staying (the e-Arrival Card asks for an address in Korea, so have your first night’s accommodation booked). Customs limits apply to cash, duty-free goods, alcohol, and tobacco, and certain foods and agricultural products must be declared. If you’ll want mobile data the moment you land — handy for maps and the e-Arrival Card confirmation — sort a SIM or eSIM in advance.
How Far Ahead Should You Sort This Out?
The e-Arrival Card can only be filed within three days of arrival, so that one is a just-before-you-fly task — set a reminder for a couple of days out. Anything that needs longer lead time — a visa if your nationality requires one, or a K-ETA if you’re applying (up to 72 hours, sometimes more) — should be handled well ahead of departure. Everything else — comparing fares to lock in a good deal on your flights✈️, or booking your first night’s stay so you have an address for the form — is worth doing early anyway.
Plan Your Trip
Sort arrival, then the city. Once your entry paperwork is done, our guide to getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul covers every way into town, and our guide to getting around Seoul sorts the T-money card and transit apps. You can also arrange an airport transfer or pickup🎫 in advance for a smooth landing.
Then map the days. Our 4-day Seoul itinerary plans a first trip, our where-to-stay guide picks the right base, and our Seoul travel cost guide sets your budget.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend services I’d use myself. Entry rules change frequently and vary by nationality — always confirm on the official government sites before you travel.