Below is the latest K-ETA application guide for travelers from visa-exempt countries visiting Korea in 2026.

Travelers from visa-exempt countries are required to have K-ETA. If you plan to visit Korea for tourism, family visits, business travel, or to participate in events, you must apply for and receive K-ETA approval before boarding a flight or ship to Korea.

What is K-ETA?

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization system for foreigners from visa-exempt countries. Travelers must submit their travel information online and receive approval before entering South Korea.

Purposes Eligible for K-ETA

K-ETA can be used to enter South Korea for the following purposes:

Tourism (individual or group)
Visiting family or relatives
Attending events, exhibitions, or conferences
Non-profit business activities

K-ETA Application Process (Updated 2026)

Step 1: Complete the online application form
Step 2: Enter an email address to receive approval results
Step 3: Enter passport information
Step 4: Enter travel details
Step 5: Pay the application fee
Step 6: Wait for screening
Step 7: Check approval results online

Required Documents

Valid passport
Recent front-facing photo (meeting K-ETA requirements)
Email address
Credit/debit card for payment

Important Notices About K-ETA

Travelers from K-ETA eligible countries must receive approval in advance before entering Korea without a visa.
Screening may take up to 72 hours or longer, so early application is strongly recommended.
Approved K-ETA is valid for three years and allows multiple entries within the validity period.
However, K-ETA approval does not guarantee entry. Final entry permission is determined by immigration officers at the border.

Important Notes (2026)

K-ETA validity (3 years) is not related to the permitted stay period.
Even with K-ETA approval, travelers must not overstay the allowed visa-free period.
Providing false or incorrect information may result in rejection, cancellation, penalties, or entry restrictions.
If someone applies on your behalf, the same regulations apply.
Application fees are non-refundable, even if rejected.

You Must Reapply for K-ETA If

Your name changes
Your gender changes
Your date of birth changes
Your nationality changes
Your passport number or expiration date changes
You have an infectious disease history
You have a criminal record

If your travel purpose, address in Korea, or contact information changes after approval, you must update your information through the K-ETA system before traveling. Failure to do so may result in refusal of entry.

Benefits of Approved K-ETA

No arrival card required
Faster immigration process
Multiple entries allowed for 3 years

K-ETA Does Not Allow

Any income-generating or profit-seeking activities

If a traveler has both valid K-ETA and residence card, residence status takes priority.
If a valid visa exists, visa conditions override K-ETA.

Recommendation: Apply Early for a Smooth Travel Experience

You can conveniently apply for K-ETA through ETAPORTAL, which helps verify information, reduce errors, and make the application process faster and easier.

Please refer to the passport photo sample and the text below.

When applying for K-ETA, scanning the passport's MRZ(Machine Readable Zone) area is required.
Your passport photo (file) must include the areas highlighted in red below.

1. Passport Number

The passport numbers consist of '8 to 9' characters, which may include 'numbers (or alphabets + numbers)'. Please be coutious of similar characters, such as "number 0" and "alphabet O".

2. Surname

In the machine readble zone (MRZ), the surname and given name are separated by <<, and the front part of << is a surname.

3. Name

In the machine readble zone (MRZ), the surname and given name are separated by <<, and the rear part of << is a given name.

4. Nationality

The 3-letter code in position of the machine readble zone (MRZ) indicates the nationality of the passport holder. 
This nationality is not related to the country that issued the passport, but refers to the actual nationality of the passport holder. 
Therefore, if your actual nationality is not eligible to apply for K-ETA, you cannot apply for K-ETA.

5. Date of birth

You must enter the date of birth as listed on your passport, in the order ofyear, month, and day.

6. Sex

The sex on your passport is listed as M or F in position of the machine readble zone (MRZ). If the position is not M or F, please enter it manually.

7. Passport Expiration Date

You must enter the passport expiration date as listed on your passport in the order of year, month, and day.

(Failure to provide accurate passport information may result in delays, rejection, or invalidation of your K-ETA.)

K-ETA progression steps

Payment Completed

Application Submitted

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 (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

face image

The face image attached to your submitted application does not meet the requirements.

(Please re-upload the image that meets the requirements.)

passport image

The passport image attached to your submitted application does not meet the requirements.

(Please re-upload the image that meets the requirements.)

passport/face image

The passport image and the face image attached to your application do not meet the requirements.

(Please re-upload the images that 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)