K-ETA is completed online, so nothing is posted or stamped. What matters is that what you upload and type matches your passport exactly.
What you upload
- An image of the passport photo page — flat, in focus, all four corners visible, no flash reflection.
- A recent photo of your face, plain background, no hat or sunglasses.
What you type
- Names exactly as printed in the machine-readable zone, including middle names.
- Passport number, issue and expiry dates.
- Your address in Korea for the first night, with a contact number.
- Your occupation and the purpose of the trip.
The two most common causes of trouble
Glare on the passport image, and a name that does not match the passport. Both are avoidable in a minute, and both cause delays that no amount of paying can shorten.
Use a passport that will still be valid for your whole trip. A K-ETA is tied to the passport it was issued against and does not transfer to a new one.
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.
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.