Who actually needs what — the honest version, verified July 2026. Rules are temporary; always confirm on the official sites below.
Most visa-waiver travelers (US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, most of the EU) are exempt from K-ETA through Dec 31, 2026 — you can fly in without applying. But almost everyone now completes the e-Arrival Card online (it replaced the paper card on Jan 1, 2026) — do it in the few days before you land. A K-ETA is optional for exempt nationals (having one lets you skip the arrival card). Not on the exemption list? Then you do need a K-ETA before travel.
The exemption list and rules change. Run a quick guided check, then confirm on the official government sites.
Korea extended its temporary K-ETA exemption to December 31, 2026 for the visa-waiver jurisdictions it already covered. If your country is on that list, you can enter without a K-ETA. Two things to know: the exemption is temporary (confirm before you book flights), and if your nationality is not covered, you must apply for a K-ETA before you travel. Applying is also still allowed even if you are exempt.
On January 1, 2026 the paper arrival card was retired and replaced by the digital e-Arrival Card, which applies to nearly all foreign arrivals regardless of K-ETA status. Submit it free at the official e-arrivalcard.go.kr, generally within three days before you arrive — then you skip the paper form at immigration. The one exception: travelers with an approved K-ETA are exempt from the arrival card, which is why some people who don't strictly need a K-ETA still get one.
Apply on the official site k-eta.go.kr or its app. You'll need your passport, a photo, and your trip details. The fee is ₩10,000 (about USD 7–8) plus a small card fee, and it is non-refundable even if refused. Assessment takes up to 72 hours, so apply at least three days before departure — don't leave it to the airport. Once approved it's valid for up to 3 years (or until your passport expires) with multiple entries.
Search results are full of look-alike "K-ETA application" sites that charge $40–90 for a form you can complete yourself for ₩10,000. They are not scams in the illegal sense, but you're paying a big markup for nothing official. The only official addresses are k-eta.go.kr (travel authorization) and e-arrivalcard.go.kr (arrival card). If a site asks for far more than ₩10,000, close the tab.
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The free trip2kr app has an entry-document checker (visa, K-ETA, e-Arrival Card) and keeps your documents on your phone — never uploaded — so nothing gets lost before you fly.
Immigration rules change, and the exemption is temporary — treat this as orientation and confirm on k-eta.go.kr and e-arrivalcard.go.kr before you travel. Last verified July 2026.
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