Do I need K-ETA right now?
Possibly not. A number of countries and regions are temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026. Check your passport against the official list before applying.
How much is it?
KRW 10,000, about about US$7–8, paid once. Higher prices elsewhere are agency charges.
How long does it last?
3 years, or until the passport it is linked to expires — whichever comes first.
How long can I stay?
Usually 30 to 90 days, depending on your nationality. K-ETA itself does not set this.
Is it a visa?
No. It is permission to board, not permission to enter. Immigration decides admission on arrival.
My application was refused. What now?
A refusal is not appealed through an agency. Depending on the reason, the route is usually to apply for a visa at a Korean diplomatic mission. The fee is not refunded.
Can I get it faster by paying more?
No. No express service exists, official or otherwise.
More about K-ETA
After you land
K-ETA gets you on the plane. What comes after — arrival card, e-gates, cash, tax refunds, transport, healthcare, emergencies — checked with official sources.
Arrival card and e-gates
Without a K-ETA you file an arrival card (online from 3 days before). Since 16 March 2026, visitors aged 17+ from 42 countries can register for e-gates.
How long you can stay
A K-ETA does not set your permitted stay. The number comes from the visa-waiver arrangement with your country, and it ranges from 30 to 90 days.
Leaving and returning
A K-ETA covers multiple entries for 3 years, so you do not reapply for each trip. What resets on re-entry is your permitted stay, not your right to enter.
Passport and details
The K-ETA is linked to the passport you applied with. A renewed passport ends it early, and mismatched details stop you at check-in.
At the border
Immigration, quarantine and customs are three separate checks. Knowing which one asks what is the difference between ten minutes and an hour.