A granted K-ETA is valid for 3 years from the date it is issued, and can be used for more than one trip within that period.
It ends when your passport does
The authorisation is attached to the passport it was granted against. If that passport expires, is renewed, lost or replaced, the K-ETA stops being usable — even if years remain on it. You apply again with the new passport.
Validity is not permission to stay
The 3-year period is how long the authorisation can be used to board. How long you may remain in Korea on each visit is a separate matter, set by the visa-waiver agreement for your nationality (30 to 90 days).
If the exemption applies to you
While your nationality is exempt (currently until 31 December 2026), you travel without K-ETA. If the exemption ends and you already hold a valid K-ETA, it can still be used until it expires.
More about K-ETA
Length of stay
Why K-ETA does not determine your permitted stay in Korea, and where the actual limit comes from.
Check your status
Where to check the result of a K-ETA application, and the safe way to handle a missing confirmation email.
FAQ
Short answers on exemptions, cost, validity, stay length and what to do when an application is refused.
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.