A K-ETA is valid for 3 years, but there is a condition that catches people out: it is attached to the passport you applied with. If that passport is replaced, the authorisation stops being usable even though the 3 years have not elapsed.
When you need to apply again
- You renewed or replaced your passport
- Your passport was reissued after loss or damage
- You changed the nationality you travel on
Enter your details exactly as printed
- Names as in the machine-readable zone, not as you normally write them
- Passport number character by character — 0 and O, 1 and I
- Nationality as shown on the passport, not where you live
- A photo that meets the requirements — rejections are most often about the photo
Only one official channel
Applications are made only at k-eta.go.kr. The fee is KRW 10,000. Sites charging more are third parties adding their own margin, and entering your passport number anywhere else is a risk you do not need to take.
Source: K-ETA official portal
⚠️ Before applying at all, check whether your nationality is currently exempt. Exemption runs to 31 December 2026, and applying while exempt gives you no benefit and no refund.
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.