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K-ETA South Korea

Apply Online for Your South Korea K-ETA — Available as a multiple-entry travel authorization, valid for stays of 30 to 180 days per entry depending on your nationality, and typically issued within 1–2 business days.

This page was written and reviewed by the Travel Docs Online Expert Team, consisting of experienced immigration consultants and visa specialists. Last updated: November 14, 2025.

K-ETA South Korea
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99% approval rate for applications

  • K-ETA Processing Time: 1-2 days
  • Government fee: 9 USD
  • TDO Service Fee From: 60 USD

Additional Services

  • Embassy Registration
  • Priotity Service (1H)
  • Insurance
Total 69 USD

Highlights

  • Multiple-entry online travel authorization

  • For tourism or business purposes

  • Allows stays of 30–180 days per entry, depending on nationality

  • Valid for 2 years from the date of approval

Apply now

K-ETA South Korea Information

The South Korea K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online travel authorization that allows eligible citizens to visit South Korea for short stays. This includes tourism, visiting family or friends, and business activities like attending meetings or seminars.

The K-ETA is a multiple-entry online visa waiver, valid for 2 years from the date of approval. Depending on your nationality, you can stay in South Korea for 30 to 90 days per entry (up to 180 days for Canadian citizens).

Designed to simplify travel, the K-ETA eliminates the need to fill out arrival cards at the border, speeding up your entry. The application process is quick, fully online, and takes only a few minutes to complete.

If you plan to stay for longer periods, travel for other purposes, or are not eligible for the K-ETA, you will need to apply for a traditional visa through the nearest South Korean embassy or consulate.

Physical-and-digital-document-VERSION-1-TDO

Drive Freely in South Korea with an International Driving Permit

While most travelers to South Korea need a visa or K-ETA, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is a highly recommended optional document for those planning to explore the country by car.

With an IDP, you can confidently drive across South Korea’s diverse landscapes — from the bustling streets of Seoul, Busan, and Incheon to scenic coastal routes along Jeju Island and the East Coast, and the picturesque mountain roads through Gangwon Province and the Sobaek Mountains.

Many car rental agencies and local authorities in South Korea prefer or require an IDP, especially if your driver’s license is not in English or Korean. It also helps simplify interactions at police checkpoints, providing immediate proof of your driving credentials.

Obtaining an IDP online is quick and easy, with validity options of one, two, or three years. Carrying an IDP ensures a safer, smoother driving experience and gives you the freedom to explore South Korea at your own pace.

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Requirements to apply for an K-ETA South Korea.

Planning a trip to South Korea? The K-ETA makes visiting the country fast and hassle-free. This online travel authorization allows you to enter South Korea for tourism or business without waiting in line for arrival forms.

Start by filling out the simple online K-ETA form with your personal details, passport information, and travel plans. Make sure your passport details are accurate, and double-check your email address, as your approved K-ETA will be sent there.

Next, pay the mandatory processing fee securely using a debit or credit card. Once your application is processed—usually within 1–2 business days—you’ll receive a PDF copy of your approved K-ETA. Print it or save it digitally, and present it alongside your passport at the airport and immigration upon arrival.

You must travel with the same passport used for your K-ETA application, and dual nationals should be aware of this requirement.

To complete the K-ETA South Korea application, travelers are required to provide the following information and documents:

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Email Address to receive your approved K-ETA
A recent photograph of the traveler, passport-style
Valid debit or credit card

Countries Eligible for K-ETA South Korea

Citizens of the countries listed below are eligible to apply online for an K-ETA South Korea through Travel Docs Online.

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Bahrain
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Lesotho
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Palau
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Suriname
  • Swaziland
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Tuvalu
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Vatican
  • Venezuela
In 3 Steps e-Visa application

K-ETA South Korea Application Steps

1

1. Select your destination

Choose where you’re traveling to and select your nationality. Our system will instantly show the visa or eVisa options available for you, along with the required documents and processing times.

2

2. Apply completely online

Fill out our simple online form in just a few minutes. Upload any required documents, make your payment, and our visa experts will review everything to ensure a smooth and successful approval.

3

3. Receive and travel

Once approved, your visa or eVisa will be sent directly to your email along with easy-to-follow travel instructions. Simply print it out or keep it on your phone – you’re ready to go.

Apply now
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about the K-ETA South Korea

The K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization for travelers from visa-exempt countries. It allows you to enter South Korea for tourism or business without visiting an embassy. Apply online and receive your ETA by email in just a few minutes.

A K-ETA is valid for 2 years from the date it’s approved. If your passport expires during this period, you’ll need to apply for a new K-ETA using your new passport.

Eligibility depends on your nationality. You can check whether you qualify for the K-ETA using the eligibility tool at the top of this page or the list of eligible countries provided above.

You can apply directly through Traveldocs using our easy online form. Just provide your personal details, passport information, and travel plans—it only takes a few minutes.

The total cost through Traveldocs is 69 USD, which covers the government processing fee and our service fee (for reviewing your application, correcting documents if needed, and ensuring a smooth process).

It depends on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and how long you plan to stay. If you’re not eligible for visa exemption or the K-ETA, you must apply for a South Korea visa through a consulate before you travel. Use the visa checker above to confirm your eligibility for a K-ETA.

Verify the Visa Policy for South Korea

The visa policy of South Korea sets the entry requirements for foreign nationals traveling to the country.

Citizens of visa-exempt countries can enter South Korea for short stays using the K-ETA, an electronic travel authorization applied for online. The K-ETA allows travelers to visit for tourism, business, or visiting family and friends.

Most other international visitors—about 90 nationalities—must obtain a visa from a South Korean embassy or consulate before traveling, regardless of the purpose or duration of the visit.

K-ETA-eligible travelers who plan to stay long-term, study, work, or relocate to South Korea must obtain the appropriate visa from an embassy or consulate.

All travelers, regardless of nationality, must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay.

There are three main ways to obtain a visa:

Enter using the K-ETA if your nationality is eligible, for short-term stays.
Apply for a visa in advance at a South Korean embassy or consulate.
Obtain the appropriate long-term visa for work, study, or residency through a South Korean diplomatic mission.

From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, travelers from certain eligible countries do not need an approved K-ETA to enter South Korea. This temporary exemption is part of the Visit Korea Year initiative.

Eligible countries include:

  • Australia

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Canada

  • Denmark

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Hong Kong

  • Italy

  • Japan

  • Macao

  • Netherlands

  • New Zealand

  • Norway

  • Poland

  • Singapore

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Taiwan

  • United Kingdom

  • United States (including Guam)

While this exemption allows entry without a K-ETA, it is still recommended to apply online in advance. Doing so lets you skip the queue at immigration and avoid completing an arrival card at the border.

If you already hold a valid K-ETA issued before April 2023, you can continue to use it to enter South Korea and bypass the arrival card process at checkpoints.

Citizens of nearly 90 countries must obtain a visa to travel to South Korea, regardless of the purpose or duration of their visit.

Even travelers eligible for a K-ETA who plan to stay long-term, work, or study in South Korea must apply for the appropriate visa at a Korean embassy or consulate.

To get a consular visa, you need to:

  1. Schedule an appointment at a Korean embassy or consulate.

  2. Complete the visa application form.

  3. Present a valid passport.

  4. Provide supporting documents, which vary depending on the visa type.

South Korea visas can be single-entry or multiple-entry, depending on the visa category and agreements between South Korea and your country of nationality.

Processing can take several weeks, so it’s recommended to book your embassy appointment well in advance of your intended travel date.

Countries whose citizens require a consular visa for South Korea:

  • Afghanistan

  • Algeria

  • Angola

  • Armenia

  • Azerbaijan

  • Bangladesh

  • Belize

  • Benin

  • Belarus

  • Bhutan

  • Bolivia

  • Burkina Faso

  • Burundi

  • Cambodia

  • Cameroon

  • Cape Verde

  • Central African Republic

  • Chad

  • China

  • Comoros

  • Congo

  • Cuba

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Djibouti

  • Egypt

  • Equatorial Guinea

  • Eritrea

  • Ethiopia

  • Gabon

  • Gambia

  • Georgia

  • Ghana

  • Gibraltar

  • Guinea

  • Guinea-Bissau

  • India

  • Indonesia

  • Iraq

  • Iran

  • Ivory Coast

  • Jordan

  • Kenya

  • Kyrgyzstan

  • Laos

  • Lebanon

  • Libya

  • Macedonia

  • Madagascar

  • Malawi

  • Maldives

  • Mali

  • Mauritania

  • Moldova

  • Mongolia

  • Mozambique

  • Myanmar

  • Namibia

  • Nepal

  • Niger

  • Nigeria

  • North Korea

  • Uganda

  • Uzbekistan

  • Pakistan

  • Palestinian Territories

  • Papua New Guinea

  • Philippines

  • Rwanda

  • Sao Tome and Principe

  • Senegal

  • Sierra Leone

  • Somalia

  • South Sudan

  • Sri Lanka

  • Sudan

  • Syria

  • Tajikistan

  • Tanzania

  • Timor-Leste

  • Togo

  • Turkmenistan

  • Ukraine

  • Vanuatu

  • Vietnam

  • Yemen

  • Zambia

  • Zimbabwe

Citizens of around 110 countries can visit South Korea without a traditional visa. To travel visa-free, most of these travelers still need a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization).

Getting a K-ETA is quick and easy with Traveldocs. The online application only takes a few minutes, and once approved, your K-ETA is valid for 2 years and allows multiple entries into South Korea.

Although about 20 nationalities are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA requirement, we still recommend applying online in advance. Without an approved K-ETA, you may need to queue at immigration to complete an arrival card.

Transit travelers:

  • Most visitors do not need a visa or K-ETA if transiting through South Korea for less than 24 hours, as long as they stay within the airport’s transit area at Incheon Airport.

  • At other South Korean airports, travelers may transit without a visa on the same calendar day if they remain in the designated transit zone.

Anna Vermeer - Immigration Attorney

This content has been reviewed by

Anna Vermeer – Immigration Attorney (Netherlands)

Anna Vermeer is a Dutch immigration attorney based in Amsterdam with over 10 years of experience in European and Schengen visa law. She has guided thousands of travelers and companies through residence permits, work permits, and family-based applications.

Recognized as a leading voice in EU immigration law, Anna contributes to international legal conferences and publishes regularly on mobility rights within Europe.

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