K-ETA for South Korea 2026: Guide for Visa-Free Travelers

What is K-ETA

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an electronic entry permit for South Korea for citizens of visa-free countries. It is a modern replacement for paper disembarkation cards. K-ETA is a mandatory document for boarding a flight to South Korea and passing through passport control. Exceptions include:

• Children under 17 years of age;

• Adults over 65 years of age;

• Passengers on transit flights not planning to leave the airport transit zone;

• Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards and diplomatic passports;

• Flight crew members.

It is important to understand that K-ETA is not an electronic visa, but a pre-travel authorization for simplified border crossing. Having this permit does not guarantee entry into Korea. The final decision is made by the immigration officer.

❗️Be prepared for the immigration officer to potentially ask questions about your accommodation, employment and income, and planned itinerary. Your answers must match the information provided in the K-ETA application, otherwise entry may be denied.

Validity Period

The K-ETA is valid for a period of 3 years. However, if your passport expires or you obtain a new passport during this validity period, you must apply for a new K-ETA.

For each subsequent trip to South Korea, you are required to update your existing K-ETA before travel. This includes updating your travel dates, accommodation address, and personal information. Please note: you must also update your K-ETA during your current trip if your departure date or flight number changes.

How to Apply for K-ETA on Your Own

Eligible travelers can apply for the K-ETA directly through the official government website. The application process involves creating an account, entering your passport information, answering standard immigration questions, and paying the mandatory government processing fee of 10,300 KRW. Once approved, your K-ETA approval document (in PDF format) will be sent directly to the email address you provided during the application.

❗️Many applicants using international (non-Korean) bank cards encounter a "Payment Failed – Decline" error during the K-ETA fee transaction. This is a known issue with the EXIMPAY gateway system. Please note that common troubleshooting steps, such as using a VPN or trying multiple different cards, often do not resolve this problem.

Applying for K-ETA through an Agency

MyVisa.World is an officially authorized travel agency on the K-ETA portal. We assist with K-ETA payment, fill out the application and all remarks correctly, and adjust your photo to meet the system requirements. 99% of our applications receive K-ETA approval. This is precisely why thousands of travelers worldwide recommend us!

Required Documents

The following applicant details and documents are required for the K-ETA application:

• Copy of the passport (bio-data page);

• Photo with a white background;

• Information about your workplace (if employed);

• Address and phone number of the hotel/apartment where you plan to stay;

• Intended travel dates;

You can list any hotel in Korea; it is not necessary to book accommodation before the K-ETA is approved. The hotel you specify in the application must match the one where you actually stay. At the border, you may be asked for the hotel address and to show a booking confirmation.