KETA is required for visa-free country travelers

You can apply for KETA anytime.
However, you must obtain KETA approval before boarding the flight or ship bound for the Republic of Korea.

What is KETA?

KETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization system that visa-free foreign visitors must obtain before entering the Republic of Korea by submitting travel-related information online.

Eligible Purposes for KETA Application

• Tourism(individual/group)
• Visiting family
• Participating in events or meetings
• Commercial purposes (excluding profit-seeking activities)

KETA Application Process

• STEP 1: Complete the application form
• STEP 2: Enter email address
• STEP 3: Enter passport information
• STEP 4: Enter application details
• STEP 5: Make payment
• STEP 6: Under assessment
• STEP 7: Check the results

Required Documents for KETA Application

• Valid passport
• Recent profile photo
• Email address
• Credit card (for application fee payment)

KETA Announcements

• Nationals of KETA-eligible countries must obtain KETA approval before entering the Republic of Korea without a visa.
• The assessment may take up to 72 hours or longer, depending on the circumstances (e.g., increased number of applications, applicant’s situation, etc.).
• Therefore, it is strongly recommended to apply for KETA well in advance.
• Each approved KETA is valid for three years, allowing multiple entries into the Republic of Korea during this period.
• However, KETA approval does not guarantee entry.
• The final decision on a traveler’s entry is made by the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Important Notes

• The validity period of KETA (three years) is unrelated to the allowed visa-free stay duration.
• Even with KETA approval, visitors cannot exceed the visa-free stay period permitted by their nationality.
• If false or inaccurate information is submitted in the KETA application, approval may be denied or canceled, and the applicant may face penalties or entry restrictions under relevant Korean laws.
• The same applies to those applying on behalf of another person.
• Application fees are non-refundable, even in the event of denial.

You must apply for a new KETA if any of the following information changes

1. Name
2. Gender
3. Date of birth
4. Nationality
5. Passport information (passport number, passport expiration date)
6. Infectious disease history
7. Criminal record

• Even after obtaining KETA approval, if there are any changes to your entry purpose, address in Korea, or contact information, you must update these details via the KETA website before entering Korea.
• Failure to update information may result in entry denial or other unfavorable measures.
• Travelers with KETA approval are exempt from submitting an arrival card upon entry, making the immigration process more convenient.
• KETA does not permit any activities intended for profit or revenue generation.
• If a traveler holds both KETA and a valid Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card), the residence status and stay period will be determined based on the Residence Card.
  • If the traveler returned their Residence Card upon departure or returns it upon arrival, entry via KETA is allowed.
  • If the traveler has a valid visa, the visa conditions will take precedence over KETA approval.

Apply for KETA in advance to ensure a smooth entry process into the Republic of Korea.
KETA applications can be submitted through our ETAPORTAL.

K-ETA progression steps

Under Review

Can be modified

Under Review

Cannot be modified

Reviewed

Approval Reviewed

Approval

Ministry of Justice approval

K-ETA Application results will be sent via email, and may be classified as spam, so please check your spam folder.

• You can apply for K-ETA anytime
• You must obtain K-ETA approval before boarding a plane or ship to Korea.
• Please keep in mind that depending on the situation, the evaluation may take longer than 72 hours.

k-eta Application stage status values

Under Review (Can be modified)

Your application has been received.

(The person in charge will review it within 1 hour, and you can edit the application until ‘Cannot be modified’.)

Under Review (Cannot be modified)

We have reviewed your submitted application, found no issues, and your application has been submitted to the government agency.

Reviewed (Approval Reviewed)

The submitted application is being reviewed by a government agency (Ministry of Justice).

(Basically, it takes 72 hours, but it may take more than 72 hours due to the increase in applicants, temporary applicants, etc.)

Approval (Ministry of Justice approval)

The submitted application received final approval from the government agency (Ministry of Justice).

Reject status values

Rejected (Headshot)

The headshot attached to the submitted application does not meet the requirements.

(Please re-register the photo to meet the requirements.)

Rejected (Passport photo)

The Passport photo attached to your submitted application does not meet requirements.

(Please re-register the photo to meet the requirements.)

Rejected (Passport photo/Headshot)

The headshot in your passport and the headshot attached to your application does not meet the requirements.

(Please re-register the photo to meet the requirements.)

Rejected (Justice Department rejection)

The submitted K-ETA application has not been approved as an Electronic Travel Authorization.

(Because this information is private, we do not know the reason for the rejection. Please make sure to check the email address you used when filling out the application.)

Other status values

Temporary

You have not completed your application, or you have completed your application but have not made payment.

(You must fill out the application form and complete payment to complete the application.)

Cancel

Your application has been cancelled.

From 23.07.03 (Monday), those under 17 and over 65 are excluded from the mandatory application of Electronic Travel Permit K-ETA exemption
However, if you want to receive benefits from K-ETA application, you can apply for K-ETA

* The previously issued K-ETA is available until its expiration date *

▶ KOREA ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (KETA) is a system in which foreigners who want to enter Korea for the purpose of tourism, visiting relatives, and participating in various events and meetings (for the purpose of profit, are permitted to enter Korea online).

▶ All foreigners who wish to enter the Republic of Korea due to transfer must apply for a visa exemption agreement (67 countries) and 45 countries where visa-free entry is allowed (45 countries).

▶ KETA is valid for up to two years from the date of approval unless important personal information such as name, state of affairs, and passport number is changed within the passport expiration date, and if important personal information is changed, it must be reapplied.

▶ It cannot be modified after submitting the application, and if you fill out the wrong information, you have to reapply.
If the K-ETA application information and passport information are inconsistent, you cannot board the aircraft/ship.
Please make sure to check the information you entered before the final payment.

▶ The following are the KETA exclusions
- diplomatic, official passport holder
- Korean visa holder, Korean registered foreigner
- Multiple citizens of the Republic of Korea (Holding a valid Korean passport)
- active-duty U.S. military personnel in Korea (entry for official purposes)
- Crew and crew (including prospective crew members)
- ABTC Holders (excluding the United States and Canada)
- UN Passport Holder (UNLP, LAISSEZ-PASSER)
- Transfer passengers (If you are on board for transfer purposes, you cannot enter without a pre-authorized K-ETA)