K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online entry authorization for visa-free travellers to South Korea. It is not a visa and it does not guarantee entry — the final decision rests with the immigration officer — but without it a visa-free traveller who needs one won't even be allowed to board. Below: who needs K-ETA, how to get it, how the new e-Arrival Card fits in, and how we take it off your desk for your travellers.
For the bigger picture of what we do in Korea, see our Korea DMC page and our page for tour operators and travel agencies.
Who needs K-ETA
K-ETA is required for visa-free nationals whose country is not on Korea's temporary K-ETA exemption list. That exemption — extended through 31 December 2026 — covers a set of visa-waiver countries (the US, the UK, most of the EU, Japan and others), whose citizens may currently enter without applying for K-ETA. Several major markets are not on that list and do need it — travellers from Russia and Kazakhstan, for example. If you're unsure whether a particular traveller's nationality needs K-ETA, we check it for you before booking.
How to apply
Where. Only on the official portal, k-eta.go.kr (or the official K-ETA app). Beware of unofficial look-alike “K-ETA” sites.
When. Before boarding, and at least 72 hours before departure — processing usually takes up to 72 hours and there is no expedited option.
What you need. A passport valid for at least six months, a passport-style facial photo, and an email address.
Validity. Three years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first — multiple entries. Note that the K-ETA's validity is not the length of stay: each visa-free nationality has its own permitted stay per visit, and K-ETA does not extend it.
K-ETA and the arrival card
From 1 January 2026 Korea moved to a digital e-Arrival Card: paper cards are no longer handed out on the plane, and travellers without a K-ETA complete the e-Arrival Card online instead. Per the official K-ETA portal, holders of a valid K-ETA are exempt from the arrival card — so a traveller who has K-ETA does not need to fill one in.
Please note: entry rules are in transition and the final admission decision is always the immigration officer's. Check current requirements on the official site, k-eta.go.kr; for every booking we confirm what applies at the time of travel.
We handle K-ETA for your travellers
K-ETA is part of the ground service we provide. For your groups and individual travellers we send clear instructions in advance, help fill in the application correctly (most refusals come from photo or data errors), answer travellers' questions, and flag anyone whose nationality needs special attention. You keep the client relationship; we take the entry-authorization friction off your desk.
To start working with us, see our partner page or write to inte@intetour.com.
FAQ
Do my travellers need K-ETA?
It depends on nationality. Visa-free travellers whose country is not on Korea's temporary exemption list (extended to 31 December 2026) need K-ETA, and several major markets are not exempt. We check each traveller's nationality before booking.
Do children and older travellers need it too?
Yes — for non-exempt nationalities K-ETA is required per person regardless of age, and each traveller, including children, applies for their own. We help prepare the whole group.
How long is K-ETA valid?
Three years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, with multiple entries.
If a traveller has K-ETA, do they still fill in an arrival card?
No. Per the official K-ETA portal, valid-K-ETA holders are exempt from the arrival card. Because the rules are in transition and entry is at the officer's discretion, we confirm the current requirements for each booking.
The passport was reissued or trip details changed — reapply?
A reissued passport (or changed criminal-record / health declarations) needs a fresh K-ETA. Changed trip dates or address are updated on the K-ETA site, not reapplied.
Does K-ETA guarantee entry?
No. K-ETA is an authorization to travel, not a visa; the immigration officer makes the final entry decision at the border.
Do you help with K-ETA?
Yes. We send instructions, help complete the application correctly, and answer travellers' questions as part of our ground service.
Get in touch
Email: inte@intetour.com — our main channel.
This page is general guidance, not immigration or legal advice; entry rules change and are decided by the Korean authorities. The authoritative source is k-eta.go.kr.