[Korea Travel Guide] 2026 Latest! Korea K-ETA Application & Entry Requirements

But before you start planning, the very first thing to sort out is your entry authorization.

Do I need a visa to enter Korea with my passport?

Korea runs a visa-waiver program for selected countries and regions. If your passport is eligible, you can enter Korea without a visa for the permitted stay — as long as you obtain an electronic travel authorization in advance. That authorization is what we call the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization).

If your passport is on the eligible list, simply complete the K-ETA application before departure, and you'll be able to enter Korea visa-free — no need to visit an embassy in person; the entire process is completed online. This article brings you the most complete 2026 K-ETA application guide, covering eligibility, required documents, the application process, and entry requirements — everything you need in one place.

The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an official electronic entry permit issued by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea. It applies to applicants entering Korea for tourism, visiting family, or business purposes, holding a passport from a country included in Korea's visa-waiver program.

Once your application is approved, you'll receive a K-ETA authorization number to present alongside your passport when passing through Korean border control.

K-ETA at a glance:

The K-ETA is the key document for a smooth entry into Korea. Please make sure your K-ETA has been approved before departure, and double-check that all the information on it is accurate.

The K-ETA application is fully online. Gather the following materials, and you can complete the process comfortably from home.

1. Passport bio page

2. Personal contact information

3. Korea trip information

4. Personal photo

5. Employment and income information

6. Travel history

7. Companion information (if applicable)

8. Additional supporting documents

A friendly reminder: if your photo doesn't meet the specifications, you may be asked to re-upload, which can delay the review. We recommend taking the photo against a plain white wall in a well-lit space, making sure your facial features and contours are clearly visible.

With our professional agency service, all you need to do is submit the materials in line with the steps below — our team will take care of the rest of the online procedure and submission on your behalf.

Application steps:

Processing time (counted from the day all required documents are received):

Processing time may vary depending on the consulate's workload, system maintenance, or public holidays. We strongly recommend submitting your application at least 7–10 days before departure to leave plenty of buffer and protect your travel plans.

The K-ETA is valid at all major international airports, seaports, and designated land border crossings across Korea. Common entry points include:

International Airports

Seaports and Land Crossings

Before departure, please reconfirm that your planned entry point accepts K-ETA, to ensure a smooth journey.

1. Verify your information as soon as your K-ETA is approved!

This is the reminder we give our clients most often. Once you receive your K-ETA approval, please verify the following information immediately:

If anything is incorrect, please contact us right away. We'll help you reach the relevant authorities to get it sorted, so that you're not pulled aside for lengthy questioning at the border.

2. Passport holders NOT in the visa-waiver program

The K-ETA is only available to passport holders from countries included in Korea's visa-waiver program. If your passport is not on the list, you can apply for other Korean visa categories, such as:

If you're unsure whether your passport qualifies for K-ETA, or you'd like to explore other visa options, please feel free to reach out to us. We'll suggest the most appropriate solution based on your situation.

3. K-ETA approval does NOT guarantee entry into Korea

The K-ETA is one of the documents required to board your flight and clear immigration, but the final entry decision rests with the Korean border officer. On arrival, you may be asked to present your passport, ticket, accommodation proof, or other supporting documents — please keep them within easy reach.

4. Don't book or pay for flights and hotels before your K-ETA is issued

Until your K-ETA has been approved, we strongly advise against booking or paying for flights, hotels, or other large expenses. If your trip has to be cancelled due to a visa not being approved, any resulting loss is the applicant's responsibility. The safer order is: complete the K-ETA application first, then make your bookings once your authorization is in hand.

5. Watch out for requests for additional documents from the consulate

During the review, the consulate may reach out by email to request supplementary documents. Please keep an eye on your inbox (including the spam folder) and submit whatever is needed on time, to avoid delays.

Customer Support & Holiday Schedule

Refund Policy

We recommend communicating with us in detail before applying and providing truthful, complete information to minimize the risk of refusal.

Q1: Which passport holders can apply for a K-ETA?

A: K-ETA is available to passport holders from countries included in Korea's visa-waiver program. Common examples include: Hong Kong (China), Macao (China), Malaysia, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others. If you're from a visa-waiver country but your passport is newly issued, renewed, or has any data changes, we recommend re-applying for a K-ETA before departure to avoid any issues at the border.

Q2: Can I get a refund if my application is refused?

A: No. The decision to issue or refuse a K-ETA rests entirely with the Korean consulate / visa center. Once paid, all related fees — including the official fee and our service fee — are non-refundable, even if the application is refused. We recommend talking with us in detail before applying and providing truthful, complete information to minimize the risk of refusal.

Q3: Can the K-ETA be extended? What if I want to stay in Korea for more than 180 days?

A: The K-ETA itself cannot be extended locally in Korea. If you plan to stay in Korea longer than the 180-day K-ETA limit — for study, long-term business, extended family visits, or any other purpose — you'll need to apply for a different, more suitable visa category. Feel free to reach out to us, and we'll help you figure out the right option for your situation.

The beauty of Korea hides in the backstreets of Seoul, the coastlines of Jeju, and the harbors of Busan — and it's all worth taking your time over. Don't let the paperwork get in the way of your travel mood. Leave the K-ETA process to the professionals, focus on planning your trip, and we'll handle the rest.

Whether you want to check your eligibility for K-ETA, understand the required documents, or explore other visa options, please feel free to reach out to us — we'll be glad to help you kick off a worry-free journey to Korea.