Do I Need K-ETA for Korea from the US in 2025? (2026 Update)
If you hold a United States passport and are planning a short tourist or business trip to South Korea in 2025 or the first part of 2026, you do not need to apply for K-ETA. The Korean government has temporarily suspended the K-ETA requirement for US nationals and 21 other countries from 1 January through 31 December 2026. Instead, you will complete a different online form called the e-Arrival Card within three days before you fly. This article explains exactly which travellers are exempt, what you need to submit instead, how the e-Arrival Card works, and what to prepare before you board your flight to Incheon or Gimpo.
- K-ETA requirement for US
- Not required 1 Jan–31 Dec 2026; exemption is temporary, confirm status at k-eta.go.kr
- What you submit instead
- e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 3 days before arrival
- Visa-free stay length
- Up to 90 days for tourism, business meetings, family visits (no paid work)
- Countries exempt in 2026
- 22 named countries including US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan; not all European states
- K-ETA fee if required
- Roughly 10,000 KRW when the system is active; valid 2 years once approved
- Why K-ETA was suspended and what changed in 2026
- The complete list of K-ETA exempt countries in 2026
- What the e-Arrival Card is and how to complete it
- What happens at immigration when you arrive without K-ETA
- Proof of onward travel and other entry requirements
- What to do if the K-ETA exemption expires or your country is not exempt
- Practical steps to prepare for entry from the US
- Entry document requirements for US travellers to Korea by travel period
- Practical tips
- Frequently asked questions
Why K-ETA was suspended and what changed in 2026
Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, or K-ETA, was introduced in 2021 to pre-screen travellers from countries that normally enjoy visa-free entry to South Korea. Between 2021 and late 2025, US passport holders and citizens of many other visa-waiver countries had to apply online, pay a fee, and wait for approval before boarding a flight. The system was designed to streamline immigration and improve security, but it added an extra step and cost for short-stay visitors.
On 1 January 2026, the Korean government announced a one-year exemption from K-ETA for nationals of exactly 22 countries. The stated aim was to boost inbound tourism and simplify entry procedures during a recovery period for the travel industry. The exemption runs through 31 December 2026. US passport holders travelling during this window do not apply for K-ETA, do not pay the K-ETA fee, and do not need to wait for electronic approval. You still enter visa-free for up to 90 days, and you still use the same immigration lanes at Incheon, Gimpo, Busan and other ports of entry.
The exemption is explicitly temporary. It may be extended, modified or allowed to expire at the end of 2026. Because immigration rules can change with little notice, always confirm your own nationality's current status on the official K-ETA site, k-eta.go.kr, within two weeks of booking your flight. Do not rely on blog posts, even this one, as your sole source of entry requirements.
The complete list of K-ETA exempt countries in 2026
The exemption applies to nationals of exactly 22 countries. Do not assume you qualify because you hold a passport from a Western or developed country; the list is closed and specific. The 22 exempt countries are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Notably absent from the list are Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, the Czech Republic, and many other European Union member states that do enjoy visa-free access to Korea but still must apply for K-ETA during 2026. If you hold dual nationality, you may enter Korea on whichever passport is more convenient, but you must use the same passport for your e-Arrival Card submission, your flight booking, and immigration clearance. Mixing documents will cause delays and may result in denied boarding.
If your country is not on the list of 22, you must apply for K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr before departure, pay the fee, and receive approval before you can board. Processing normally takes 24 to 72 hours, though it can be faster. An approved K-ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and permits multiple entries. Travellers with an active, approved K-ETA do not need to submit the e-Arrival Card; the K-ETA replaces it.
What the e-Arrival Card is and how to complete it
The e-Arrival Card is a mandatory online form that replaced the paper arrival and customs declaration cards handed out on flights or at immigration counters. It launched on 1 January 2026, at the same time as the K-ETA exemption. If you are entering Korea without a valid K-ETA approval, you must submit the e-Arrival Card within three days before your flight lands. This applies to all exempt-country nationals during the exemption period, as well as Korean citizens returning home.
You complete the form at e-arrivalcard.go.kr. The site has an English interface. You will need your passport, your flight details (airline, flight number, arrival date), your accommodation address in Korea (the name and address of your first hotel is sufficient), and an email address. The form asks for basic biographical information, your travel purpose, whether you are carrying restricted goods (large amounts of cash, animal or plant products, medicines), and a short health declaration. There is no fee.
Once submitted, you receive a confirmation email with a QR code. Save this QR code to your phone or print it. At immigration, you will either scan the QR code at a kiosk or show it to the officer. The system links your submission to your passport number, so even if you lose the email, the officer can retrieve your record. Submission is individual; every traveller, including children with their own passport, must have a separate e-Arrival Card. If you are travelling as a family, you can complete each person's form in one session and receive multiple QR codes.
Do not submit the e-Arrival Card more than three days before arrival. The system will reject early submissions. If your flight is delayed or rescheduled, you may need to submit a new form if the original falls outside the three-day window. Check your confirmation email carefully; it will show the validity window for your submission.
What happens at immigration when you arrive without K-ETA
When you land at Incheon International Airport (인천국제공항), Gimpo International Airport (김포국제공항), or another Korean port of entry, you will proceed to immigration after collecting any checked bags and passing through the jet bridge or arrival bus. Signs are in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. Follow signs for 'foreigner' or 'non-Korean passport' lanes, unless you qualify for automated gates.
Some airports now offer automated immigration gates for first-time visitors from visa-waiver countries. You scan your passport, look into a camera for facial recognition, and provide fingerprints. The system checks your e-Arrival Card submission automatically. If the gate approves you, you walk through without speaking to an officer. If it flags your entry for any reason, you will be directed to a staffed desk. Automated gates are faster when they work, but not all terminals have them, and they are sometimes closed during off-peak hours.
At a staffed desk, the immigration officer will scan your passport, verify your e-Arrival Card submission, ask the purpose and length of your stay, and may ask for proof of onward travel (a return flight booking or an outbound ticket to another country). They will take your fingerprints and photograph. The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and the permitted stay period, which is 90 days for tourists from K-ETA exempt countries. You do not pay any fee at the desk. The entire process normally takes two to five minutes per person, though queues can be long during peak arrival times, especially late afternoon and evening when long-haul flights from North America and Europe land.
If you did not submit an e-Arrival Card before arrival, you may be directed to a kiosk or a desk inside the immigration area to complete it on the spot. This will add 10 to 20 minutes to your processing time. Officers will help, but expect delays, and you may be asked why you did not complete it in advance.
Proof of onward travel and other entry requirements
Korea does not publish a strict universal rule requiring proof of onward travel for visa-free visitors, but immigration officers have discretion to ask for it, and many do, especially if you are travelling on a one-way ticket or staying close to the 90-day limit. Proof means a confirmed flight, ferry or train booking leaving Korea within your permitted stay period. A screenshot of an email confirmation, a mobile boarding pass, or a printed itinerary is sufficient. If you plan to travel overland to Japan or fly to another Asian country and have not booked that leg yet, consider purchasing a refundable ticket or using a low-cost placeholder booking before you check in for your flight to Korea. Airlines will sometimes deny boarding if you cannot show onward travel, even before you reach immigration.
You do not need to show proof of accommodation, travel insurance, or a bank statement at immigration, but officers can ask for these if they have doubts about your intentions. Carry a copy of your first hotel booking and, if you are staying more than a week or two, a rough itinerary. If you are visiting friends or family, have their contact information and address ready. Officers rarely ask, but preparation avoids stress.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Korea. Some airlines enforce this rule at check-in even if Korean immigration would accept a shorter validity. If your passport expires within six months, renew it before you book flights. You do not need any vaccinations to enter Korea as a tourist, and there are no COVID-19 testing or quarantine requirements as of August 2026, though health rules can change. Check the website of the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country for any updated health entry requirements within a week of travel.
What to do if the K-ETA exemption expires or your country is not exempt
If you are travelling to Korea in 2027 or later, or if you hold a passport from a country not on the 22-country exempt list, you must apply for K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr before departure. The application is online, entirely in English and other major languages, and takes about 10 minutes. You will need a passport valid for at least six months, a digital passport photo, an email address, and a credit or debit card to pay the fee. The fee has historically been around 10,000 KRW, which is approximately 7 USD at the August 2026 exchange rate of roughly 1,410 KRW per USD, but fees can change. Check the official site for the current amount.
You answer questions about your travel history, employment, health, and criminal record. The system is looking for immigration or security risks, not judging your itinerary. Most applications are approved within 24 hours, but some take up to 72 hours if additional checks are needed. Apply at least one week before your flight to allow time for delays. If your application is rejected, you will need to apply for a visa at a Korean embassy or consulate, which takes much longer. Rejections are rare for straightforward tourist applications from visa-waiver countries.
Once approved, your K-ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires. It allows multiple entries, each for up to 90 days, and you do not need to reapply between trips as long as the K-ETA remains valid. If you renew your passport, you must apply for a new K-ETA; the approval is tied to your passport number. Save a copy of your approval email and note the K-ETA approval number. Airlines and immigration officers will verify it electronically, but having the number on hand avoids confusion. Travellers with a valid K-ETA do not submit the e-Arrival Card; the K-ETA replaces it.
Practical steps to prepare for entry from the US
Start by confirming your travel dates and booking your flights. As soon as you have firm arrival and departure dates, gather your passport, accommodation details, and proof of onward travel. Within three days before your departure from the US, go to e-arrivalcard.go.kr and complete the e-Arrival Card. You will need your flight number, arrival date, and the name and address of your first hotel in Korea. If you are staying at an Airbnb, use the full address including the district name in English, such as Jongno-gu (종로구) or Gangnam-gu (강남구). The system accepts romanised Korean addresses.
After submission, you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code. Save the email to your phone, take a screenshot of the QR code, and consider printing a copy as backup. If you are travelling with others, make sure each person has their own QR code. Check your email spam folder if the confirmation does not arrive within a few minutes.
At the airport in the US, check in for your flight as usual. The airline will verify that you do not need a visa to enter Korea, which is correct for US passport holders during the exemption period. Some airline staff are not yet familiar with the K-ETA exemption and may ask if you have a K-ETA. Politely explain that US nationals are exempt through December 2026 and that you have completed the e-Arrival Card instead. If the agent insists, ask to speak to a supervisor or show them the official K-ETA website on your phone, which lists the exempt countries.
On the flight, you do not need to fill out a paper arrival card. Flight attendants may still distribute them out of habit, but you can decline. When you land, follow signs to immigration, have your passport and phone ready, and show the QR code from your e-Arrival Card email when asked. Answer the officer's questions briefly and honestly, and you will be stamped in within minutes. After clearing immigration, collect your bags, pass through customs (declare any goods over the duty-free limits listed on the customs section of the e-Arrival Card), and exit to the arrivals hall.
Entry document requirements for US travellers to Korea by travel period
| Travel period | K-ETA required | e-Arrival Card required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before 1 Jan 2026 | Yes | No | K-ETA mandatory; paper arrival card on flight |
| 1 Jan–31 Dec 2026 | No | Yes | K-ETA exemption active; submit e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival |
| 1 Jan 2027 onward | Check k-eta.go.kr | Check e-arrivalcard.go.kr | Exemption may end; confirm rules before booking |
| Valid K-ETA holder anytime | Already approved | No | Active K-ETA replaces e-Arrival Card; valid for 2 years |
| Visa holder (work, study) | No | Possibly | Visa holders check with embassy; K-ETA not needed if visa issued |
Practical tips
Frequently asked questions
Before you go
If you hold a US passport and are flying to Korea in 2025 or through the end of 2026, you do not need to apply for K-ETA. Submit the e-Arrival Card within three days before your flight, save the QR code, and have your passport and proof of onward travel ready at immigration. The exemption is temporary, so confirm the current rules at k-eta.go.kr if your travel dates are uncertain or fall outside the exemption window. Plan your entry documents early, download Naver Map or KakaoMap for navigation, and bring some cash for your first day.
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