Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea?
It depends on your passport. Visa-free travellers normally need a K-ETA, but nationals of 22 countries and regions, including the US, are temporarily exempt from 1 January to 31 December 2026 (KST). Check k-eta.go.kr for your nationality and for rules after 2026.
Updated 2026-10-15What is K-ETA?
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online pre-approval for people who can enter Korea without a visa. Those who need it must be approved before boarding their flight or ship. The fee is 10,000 won, and the official site says review usually takes up to 72 hours, so apply well ahead. An approval is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Approval does not guarantee entry; immigration officers decide at arrival.
The temporary exemption for 2026
Korea's Ministry of Justice extended the K-ETA temporary exemption by one more year, covering 1 January to 31 December 2026 (KST). It applies to the 22 countries and regions that were already exempt; the US embassy notice confirms the US is included. Official notices don't print the full list in one place, so the simplest check is the K-ETA site itself: exempt nationals see a pop-up when they scan their passport during the application.
Why some exempt travellers still apply
Even if you are exempt, you can still apply for K-ETA voluntarily. According to official notices, the main benefit is not having to submit an arrival card. In that case the normal fee applies and it is non-refundable. If you already hold a valid K-ETA, you can keep using it until it expires.
Use only the official site
Korean embassies warn that unofficial websites charge far more than the official fee. The only official channels are www.k-eta.go.kr and the official K-ETA app. The site also posts notices about entry procedures, so read the latest notices on its homepage before you travel. If you are flying in 2027 or later, check before you go: the exemption currently ends on 31 December 2026.
People also ask
How much does K-ETA cost?
The official fee is 10,000 won, and it is non-refundable even if the application is rejected. Sites asking for much more are not official.
How long before my trip should I apply?
Apply at least 72 hours before departure, and earlier if you can. The official site says review usually takes up to 72 hours but can take longer when applications surge.
Is Japan or the UK on the exemption list?
The official notices we checked name only the US explicitly. To confirm your nationality, start an application on k-eta.go.kr: exempt passports trigger a pop-up.