Before spending anything, settle one question: is your passport currently exempt? The exemption runs until 31 December 2026, and it is decided by nationality, not by where you live or which airline you fly.
How to check
- Open the official site (k-eta.go.kr) and find the current list of exempt countries and regions.
- Match the passport you will actually travel on — not a second nationality you hold.
- If you are on the list, you do not apply and you do not pay.
- If you are not on the list, apply before you fly.
Why we do not print the list here
The exemption has been extended and revised more than once, and the number of countries has been reported differently by different outlets. A list copied into a guide goes out of date quietly. The official page does not.
Exempt does not mean nothing to prepare
Even when K-ETA is not required, you still need a passport valid for your trip, onward or return travel, and an address in Korea for the arrival card. Some travellers are also asked to complete an arrival declaration.
If you are travelling on a visa (work, study, long stay), K-ETA does not apply to you at all. It exists only for visa-free entry.
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.
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.