Two things decide how your arrival in Korea goes, and neither of them is the K-ETA itself: whether you have to hand in an arrival card, and whether you can use the automated gates instead of the staffed desks.
Who must submit an arrival card
In principle every foreigner entering Korea submits an arrival card. The main exception for visitors is a valid K-ETA: if you hold one and enter visa-free, you do not file a card. Everyone else does — and that includes the people who do not need a K-ETA.
- Nationals of countries under the temporary K-ETA exemption (until 31 December 2026) — card required
- Children aged 17 or under and adults aged 65 or over, who are exempt from K-ETA — card required
- Visa holders — card required (also if they happen to hold a K-ETA but enter on the visa)
- Holders of a valid K-ETA entering visa-free — no card
This is the one practical benefit of applying for a K-ETA while you are exempt: the Korean authorities say exempt travellers may still apply, pay the fee, and skip the arrival card. Whether that is worth the fee is your call — the card itself is free and takes a few minutes.
The e-Arrival card
- File it at e-arrivalcard.go.kr from 3 days before arrival, counted in Korean time and including the arrival day (arriving on the 31st: file on the 29th, 30th or 31st)
- It is free. The official site runs on PC and mobile web; there is no app
- It has the same effect as the paper card, and the paper card is still available if you prefer
- It expires 72 hours after submission, and once you pass immigration — file a new one for each entry
- You can still file it after landing, as long as you have not reached the immigration desk
- It is a different system from K-ETA. Sites that bundle the two and charge for it are not official
Source: Ministry of Justice — e-Arrival card guide
Source: Ministry of Justice — who must file the e-Arrival card
Fingerprints and a photo
Foreigners aged 17 and over have both index fingers scanned and a facial photo taken when they enter Korea. Children under 17 are exempt.
Source: Korea Immigration Service — foreigner fingerprint verification system
Arrival e-gates for visitors
Since 16 March 2026, visa-free visitors aged 17+ who are nationals of 42 countries and regions can register on arrival and then use the automated arrival gates. The list includes the EU and Schengen states, the UK, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, the UAE, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. The United States is not on it.
- Registration desks are in the arrivals immigration halls at Incheon (Terminals 1 and 2) and Jeju airports
- The steps: scan your passport, register your fingerprints, register your face — then use the gate
- Once registered, you can use the gates again on later visits, including at other airports
Departure e-gates
On the way out it is simpler: short-term visitors aged 17+ can use the departure e-gates without registering in advance.
Source: Korea Immigration Service — Smart Entry Service (SES)
Using an e-gate does not change anything about your stay. Your permitted stay still comes from your country's visa-waiver arrangement, and a K-ETA is not what gives you access to the gates.
Common questions
Do I need an arrival card if my country is exempt from K-ETA?
Yes. Travellers under the temporary exemption, and children and seniors who are exempt by age, must submit an arrival card — online (e-Arrival card) or on paper. Only visa-free visitors holding a valid K-ETA skip it.
Can Americans use Korea's arrival e-gates?
Not under the arrival-hall registration open since 16 March 2026: the United States is not among the 42 countries and regions. Departure e-gates are open to visitors aged 17+ without registration.
Is the e-Arrival card the same as K-ETA?
No. The e-Arrival card is a free arrival declaration for one entry; K-ETA is a paid travel authorisation valid for up to three years. The official site says so explicitly.
More about K-ETA
After you land
K-ETA gets you on the plane. What comes after — arrival card, e-gates, cash, tax refunds, transport, healthcare, emergencies — checked with official sources.
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.
Travelling with children
Children aged 17 or under on the day they enter need no K-ETA, but they do need an arrival card. What else differs for families at the border and on the plane.
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.
Liquids and power banks
Carry-on liquids: 100 ml containers in one sealed 1 litre bag. Since 20 April 2026, at most 2 power banks per person, and no charging on board.
Money and tipping
Cards are widely accepted, markets may want cash, and tipping is not expected. Cash and cheques over US$10,000 in total must be declared on arrival.