A granted K-ETA is valid for 3 years from the date it is issued, and can be used for more than one trip within that period.
It ends when your passport does
The authorisation is attached to the passport it was granted against. If that passport expires, is renewed, lost or replaced, the K-ETA stops being usable — even if years remain on it. You apply again with the new passport.
Validity is not permission to stay
The 3-year period is how long the authorisation can be used to board. How long you may remain in Korea on each visit is a separate matter, set by the visa-waiver agreement for your nationality (30 to 90 days).
If the exemption applies to you
While your nationality is exempt (currently until 31 December 2026), you travel without K-ETA. If the exemption ends and you already hold a valid K-ETA, it can still be used until it expires.
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.