Most travellers do not need a K-ETA until 31 December 2026
Korea has suspended the K-ETA requirement for the currently exempt countries and regions — the US, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, Taiwan and others — until 31 December 2026. Here is how to check whether that includes you, and what to do if it does not.
Independent guide · not affiliated with the Korean Government · updated 17 August 2026
KRW 10,000
What you pay
about US$7–8
3 years
Valid for
Multiple entries
72 hours
Review time
Apply well before you fly
Exempt
Until 31 December 2026
For many nationalities
Do you need a K-ETA?
Start here. The answer depends on your nationality and on a suspension that has already been extended more than once.
| Your situation | K-ETA needed? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Your nationality is on the temporary exemption list (US, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, Taiwan and others) | No — until 31 December 2026 | Travel without one. Apply only if you want to skip the arrival card. |
| You are from a visa-waiver country that is not on the exemption list | Yes | Apply on k-eta.go.kr before you fly — KRW 10,000. |
| You are travelling on or after 1 January 2027 | Assume yes | The suspension expires 31 December 2026. Re-check the official list close to departure. |
| You are not from a visa-waiver country | Not applicable | You need a visa, not a K-ETA. |
Published reports disagree on how many countries the suspension covers, so we do not quote a number here — the list on k-eta.go.kr is the only authority. Checked 17 August 2026.
What is the K-ETA?
The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization is a pre-travel permission for people who may already enter Korea without a visa. It is checked by the airline before boarding, costs KRW 10,000 and lasts 3 years.
Many nationalities are exempt right now
Korea suspended the K-ETA requirement for the countries and regions currently listed as exempt — including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada and Taiwan — until 31 December 2026. Those travellers can board without one.
It authorises boarding, not your length of stay
A K-ETA lets the airline board you. How long you may stay is set by your nationality's visa-waiver arrangement — usually 30 to 90 days — and the final decision on entry is made by the immigration officer.
Applying is still optional for exempt travellers
If you are exempt you may still choose to apply. The benefit is practical: K-ETA holders skip the paper arrival card at the airport. The fee applies as normal.
How to apply
STEP 1
Check whether you are exempt
The exemption runs to 31 December 2026. Confirm your nationality against the official list on k-eta.go.kr before you do anything else — the list has changed several times.
STEP 2
Apply on the official site or app
Only k-eta.go.kr and the official K-ETA app are genuine. Commercial sites charge a mark-up for filling in the same form; the government fee itself is KRW 10,000.
STEP 3
Upload a photo and pay the fee
You enter your passport details, a face photo and your travel plan, then pay by card. The details must match your passport exactly.
STEP 4
Wait for the result — then check it before you fly
Review usually takes up to 72 hours. Do not leave it to the day of departure, and remember an approval is not a guarantee of entry.
How long you can stay is decided elsewhere
This is the part most guides get wrong. A K-ETA does not come with a stay period. Your permitted stay comes from the visa-waiver arrangement between Korea and your country — usually somewhere in the range of 30 to 90 days per entry — and the immigration officer at the airport makes the final decision on both entry and duration.
An approved K-ETA also does not guarantee entry. Carry the same passport you applied with; the authorisation is recorded against it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a K-ETA right now?
Probably not, if you hold a passport from one of the currently exempt countries or regions — the suspension covers nationalities such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada and Taiwan, and runs until 31 December 2026. Travellers from visa-waiver countries that are not on the exemption list still need one. The official list on k-eta.go.kr is the only authority, and it has been revised more than once.
What happens after 31 December 2026?
Unless Korea extends the suspension again — it has already been extended more than once — the K-ETA requirement returns for the exempt nationalities from 1 January 2027. If you are travelling in early 2027, apply in advance rather than assuming the exemption continues.
How much does a K-ETA cost?
The government fee is KRW 10,000 (about US$7–8), paid by card during the application. Sites that quote substantially more are adding their own service charge, which is not required.
How long is a K-ETA valid?
3 years from approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. Within that period you may enter multiple times.
How long can I stay in Korea with a K-ETA?
The K-ETA does not set your length of stay. It follows the visa-waiver arrangement for your nationality, which is usually 30 to 90 days per entry. Check the period that applies to your passport before booking a long trip.
Is a K-ETA a visa?
No. It is a pre-travel authorisation for people who are already eligible to enter Korea without a visa. If you are not from a visa-waiver country, you need an actual visa instead.
Why apply if I am exempt?
The practical benefit is that K-ETA holders do not have to complete the arrival card on the plane. If that is not worth the fee to you, there is no obligation to apply while the exemption lasts.
Read more about K-ETA
What is K-ETA
K-ETA is an electronic travel authorisation for visa-free travellers to South Korea. What it is, who it applies to, and why many nationalities do not need it right now.
Do I need K-ETA?
Many nationalities are temporarily exempt from K-ETA. How to check your own passport, and what applies if you are not exempt.
How to apply
Applying for K-ETA on the official site: what you need in front of you, where people get stuck, and what happens after you submit.
Cost
What K-ETA actually costs on the official site, why third-party sites charge more, and when the cost is zero.
What you need
What you must have ready to complete a K-ETA application, and the photo and name rules that cause most rejections.
Processing time
Official guidance on K-ETA processing, what makes it slower, and why no paid service can speed it up.
Validity
How long a granted K-ETA lasts, what ends it early, and when you have to apply again.
Length of stay
Why K-ETA does not determine your permitted stay in Korea, and where the actual limit comes from.
Check your status
Where to check the result of a K-ETA application, and the safe way to handle a missing confirmation email.
FAQ
Short answers on exemptions, cost, validity, stay length and what to do when an application is refused.
How long you can stay
Unlike the NZeTA or eVisitor, a K-ETA does not set your permitted stay. The number comes from the visa-waiver arrangement with your country, and it ranges from 30 to 90 days.
Leaving and returning
A K-ETA covers multiple entries for 3 years, so you do not reapply for each trip. What resets on re-entry is your permitted stay, not your right to enter.
Passport and details
The K-ETA is linked to the passport used in the application. Renewing your passport ends it early, and a mismatch between your details and the record stops you at check-in.
At the border
Immigration, quarantine and customs are three separate checks. Knowing which one asks what is the difference between ten minutes and an hour.
Quarantine
Failing to declare animal or plant products on arrival in Korea can bring a fine of up to KRW 5 million under the Contagious Animal Diseases Prevention Act.
Customs allowances
The general allowance is US$800, with separate limits for alcohol, tobacco and perfume. Travellers under 19 do not get the alcohol and tobacco exemptions.
If you are exempt
Many nationalities do not currently need a K-ETA at all. Applying anyway costs money and gives you nothing. Here is how to check, and what still applies.
Transit
Whether a K-ETA applies to a transit depends on whether you pass immigration. Staying airside and entering the country are treated differently.
After the exemption
Many nationalities are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026. What that means for trips planned around that date.
If denied
A denial does not automatically mean you cannot travel, but it does mean the online route is closed. What the next step actually is.
Which one do I need?
They have similar names and very different rules. Which scheme applies to which destination, what each one costs, and the mistakes that come from mixing them up.
Check your status on the official site
Only k-eta.go.kr and the official K-ETA app are genuine. We are an independent guide and cannot submit an application on your behalf.