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Do I need a K‑ETA for Korea in 2027?
- Exemption ends
- Dec 31, 2026 (no extension announced as of Oct 21, 2026)
- Who
- 22 countries and regions (list below)
- K-ETA fee
- ₩10,000 · valid 3 years
- Apply
- k-eta.go.kr or the K-ETA app, 72+ hours before boarding
Travelers from the US, Canada, Japan, the UK and 18 more countries and regions can skip the K-ETA until Dec 31, 2026. As of Oct 21, 2026 no extension has been announced. Who's covered, what to do for a 2027 trip, and the free e-Arrival card for now.
Incheon Airport Terminal 1 arrivals · Photo: Arne Müseler (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE), via Wikimedia Commons
Who can skip the K-ETA until Dec 31, 2026
- AMERICASUnited States (incl. Guam), Canada
Visa-free travelers from these countries don't need a K-ETA during the temporary exemption.
- ASIAJapan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore
Same exemption, same end date.
- OCEANIAAustralia, New Zealand
Same exemption, same end date.
- EUROPEUK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Poland
13 European countries are on the list.
How to apply for a K-ETA (trips from Jan 1, 2027, if not extended)
- 1Go to the official site or app
k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app. Look-alike agency sites charge extra.
- 2Fill in your passport and trip details, upload a photo
Have your passport and a recent face photo ready.
- 3Pay ₩10,000 by card
A small online processing fee is added; the fee isn't refunded if you're refused.
- 4Apply at least 72 hours before you board
Results usually come within 72 hours. Check them on the official site.
- 5It's good for 3 years
Or until your passport expires, if that comes first. With a K-ETA you skip the arrival card.
Flying in before Dec 31, 2026: the e-Arrival card
- WHEREe-arrivalcard.go.kr
The official site is free. The Ministry of Justice warns about look-alike sites that charge a fee.
- WHENUp to 3 days before you land (Korea time)
If you don't enter Korea within 72 hours of submitting, it expires and you submit again.
- WHO SKIPSK-ETA holders and registered foreign residents
Everyone else entering as a foreigner submits the arrival card.
Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- SAYI have a K-ETA.
ke-i-ti-e-i i-sseo-yo
K-ETA 있어요 - SAYI submitted the e-Arrival card.
jeon-ja ip-guk-sin-go-seo je-chul-haet-seo-yo
전자입국신고서 제출했어요 - SAYWhere is immigration?
ip-guk-sim-sa-dae eo-di-ye-yo?
입국심사대 어디예요?
Local tips
- Korea has extended this exemption before (to 2025, then to 2026). Check k-eta.go.kr a few weeks before a 2027 trip; if it's extended again, you won't need a K-ETA.
- Our tip: booking a January 2027 trip? Apply for the K-ETA as soon as you book if no extension has been announced. It's good for 3 years anyway.
- Only use the official .go.kr sites. Agency sites look official but add fees.
Plan it
K-ETA official siteApply here (₩10,000)→e-Arrival card official siteFree→FAQ
Do I need a K-ETA for Korea in 2027?
If you're from one of the 22 exempt countries, you can skip it until Dec 31, 2026; for trips from Jan 1, 2027 you'll need one unless Korea extends the exemption again, and none had been announced as of Oct 21, 2026.
How much is the K-ETA and how long is it valid?
It costs ₩10,000 (plus a small card processing fee) and is valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires if sooner.
When should I apply for a K-ETA?
The Ministry of Justice recommends applying at least 72 hours before you board; results usually come within 72 hours.
Do I need the e-Arrival card if I have a K-ETA?
No, valid K-ETA holders are exempt from the arrival card; other foreign visitors submit it free at e-arrivalcard.go.kr up to 3 days before landing.
Sources: Embassy of Korea in the USA: K-ETA exemption extended to Dec 31, 2026 · Embassy of Korea in Canada: K-ETA exemption extended through 2026 · LoyaltyLobby: K-ETA waiver through Dec 2026 for 22 countries (Jan 2, 2026) · Korea Immigration Service: K-ETA (fee, validity, when to apply) · Ministry of Justice: e-Arrival card notice · Incheon Airport: e-Arrival card guide