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K-Culture Decoded

Do I Need K-ETA for Korea? 2026 Rules for US, UK, Canada, Australia

Facts last checked: Updated:

The 30-second answer

Not for trips that start on or before December 31, 2026. Korea's Ministry of Justice has extended a temporary K-ETA exemption for US, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens (and 18 other countries and regions) through December 31, 2026, Korea time. If you skip K-ETA, you fill out a free arrival card instead.

Key takeaway
The exemption has an end date. For travel on or after January 1, 2027, check the notices on k-eta.go.kr before you book, because no further extension had been posted there when we checked.
Pro tip
If you do apply, use only k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app. The real fee is ₩10,000 plus a 3% online payment fee, so a site asking for $30, $50, or more is a third-party agency, not the government.

What K-ETA is and why it's optional right now

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online travel permit for people from visa-free countries who visit Korea for tourism, family visits, or events. It doesn't let you work. Normally, citizens of countries that need it can't board a flight or ship to Korea without it.

Since April 1, 2023, Korea has waived the requirement for 22 countries and regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, and the US (including Guam). On December 23, 2025, the Ministry of Justice extended the waiver for all of them for one more year, from January 1 to December 31, 2026 (KST).

You can still apply voluntarily. The main benefit is that K-ETA holders don't have to submit an arrival card. If you already have a valid K-ETA, you can keep using it until it expires, and fees already paid aren't refunded.

K-ETA and arrival card: what applies to you

Your situation K-ETA needed? Arrival card? Cost
US, UK, Canadian, or Australian passport; trip on or before Dec 31, 2026 No (temporary exemption) Yes: e-Arrival card online or a paper card Free
Same passport, but you apply for K-ETA anyway Optional No, K-ETA holders are exempt ₩10,000 + 3% online payment fee, non-refundable
You already hold a valid K-ETA Keep using it until it expires No Nothing more
Age 17 or under, or 65 or over on the day you arrive No (age exemption) Yes, unless you hold a K-ETA Free
Trip on or after Jan 1, 2027 Check k-eta.go.kr before booking Check before booking Not yet announced

How to get into Korea smoothly in 2026

  1. Step 1: Check your trip dates against the exemption

    The waiver covers arrivals through December 31, 2026 (KST). If your trip starts in 2027, or you're booking a long way ahead, read the latest notices on k-eta.go.kr first. The official site will show a "K-ETA exempt" pop-up if the waiver applies when you enter your passport details.

  2. Step 2: Decide: arrival card only, or K-ETA

    Most visitors can simply skip K-ETA and submit an arrival card. Apply for K-ETA only if you'd rather not deal with the arrival card on each trip. A K-ETA approved after July 3, 2023 is valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires if that comes first.

  3. Step 3: If you apply, use the official site or app

    Go to www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app. Have your passport, an email address, a credit or debit card, and a face photo ready (a color JPG under 20MB if you apply on a computer). The form is in English and takes about 10 minutes. Up to 9 people can apply together without an account.

  4. Step 4: Pay the fee and wait for approval

    The fee is ₩10,000 plus a 3% online payment fee. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX, UnionPay, Diners, Discover, and Alipay+ are accepted. Results usually come within 72 hours but can take longer, so apply well before your flight. Check the result under the application result menu on the site.

  5. Step 5: No K-ETA? Submit the e-Arrival card

    Fill out the free e-Arrival card at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 3 days before you land. It asks for your passport details, flight, and where you're staying. The official site says no fee is required, so ignore any site that asks for payment.

  6. Step 6: Check whether you need Q-CODE

    Q-CODE is a separate health declaration run by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). It's mandatory if you've recently visited or transited through an area on KDCA's quarantine list, and the list changes over time. Check the current list at qcode.kdca.go.kr before you fly.

Show this in Korean

  • 입국신고서 어디에서 받을 수 있어요?

    Pronunciation: Ipguk-singoseo eodieseo badeul su isseoyo?

    Where can I get an arrival card?

  • 전자입국신고서 제출했어요.

    Pronunciation: Jeonja-ipguk-singoseo jechulhaesseoyo.

    I've already submitted the e-Arrival card.

  • 관광하러 왔어요.

    Pronunciation: Gwangwanghareo wasseoyo.

    I'm here for tourism.

Foreigner FAQ

Will K-ETA be required for Americans, Brits, Canadians, and Australians in 2027?

The current exemption ends on December 31, 2026 (KST). When we checked on September 28, 2026, the official K-ETA site had not posted another extension. Check the notices on k-eta.go.kr before booking a 2027 trip.

How much does K-ETA cost on the official site?

₩10,000, plus a 3% online payment fee. The official site puts this at roughly US$7–8. The fee isn't refunded, even if your application is refused.

Why did another website charge me much more?

The official site warns about agency and phishing sites that charge high fees for "application" or "express" services. K-ETA applications are only possible at www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA mobile app.

Do I need to redo K-ETA if I get a new passport?

Yes. K-ETA is tied to your passport. If you get a new passport because of a name change, loss, or renewal, you need to apply again with the new passport details.

Do I need K-ETA for Jeju or for a layover in Incheon?

The official FAQ says Jeju isn't a special case: travelers who need K-ETA must have it before boarding, just as for the rest of Korea. Transit passengers who don't enter Korea don't need K-ETA, but you do count as entering if you pass immigration to collect bags or change your plans.

Is the paper arrival card still available?

Korea kept paper cards available during the 2025 rollout of the e-Arrival card. The online card is the simplest option because you can finish it before you fly.

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