The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) costs KRW 10,000 (around USD 7) and has been mandatory since September 1, 2021 for most visa-waiver passport holders. Approval typically lands in 24 hours, 72 hours maximum. Stay up to 90 days per entry. Apply 100% online at k-eta.go.kr or through the official app. Through 2025 the Visit Korea Year exempted 22 countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, France and Singapore — and that exemption was extended through December 2025. For 2026 the rules are mixed: check the current list before booking.
15 min read
South Korea is visa-free for most Western and Asian travelers, but the K-ETA layer on top of that has been mandatory since September 2021. Think of it as the Korean equivalent of the US ESTA or the Canadian eTA. Without it, your airline at JFK, LAX, LHR or wherever will not board you.
The good news: the process is simple, cheap (USD 7) and fully online. The bad news: dozens of intermediary sites charge USD 50-150 for the exact same filing, with your passport data sitting on their servers.
This guide walks through the application, the errors that get applications rejected, what changed in 2026 after the Visit Korea Year extensions ended for some countries.
What the K-ETA is and who needs it in 2026
TL;DRK-ETA is the electronic authorization that replaced visa-free stamps on arrival in Seoul. Most visa-waiver passport holders need it before boarding. It costs USD 7, is valid for 3 years, and covers tourism or business stays up to 90 days per entry.
The system was set up by the Korean Ministry of Justice to pre-screen travelers from visa-waiver countries. Before, you'd land at Incheon and get an automatic 90-day stamp. Now the screening happens online, before you board.
Who needs it: most foreign nationals on visa-waiver passports going for tourism, business, family visits, or transit that involves leaving the international zone.
Who doesn't need it:
- Holders of a valid Korean visa (D-2 student, E-7 work, F-4 heritage, etc.).
- Direct transit at Incheon (ICN), same terminal, under 24 hours, without crossing immigration.
- Diplomats and official passport holders on mission.
- Airline crew on layover.
In 2024 Korea ran the Visit Korea Year, exempting 22 countries from the K-ETA through December 31, 2024. That exemption was extended for many countries through 2025 — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan. For 2026, status varies. Confirm at hikorea.go.kr before booking.
Real cost and payment methods
TL;DRThe K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 — about USD 7.30 at May 2026 rates, or roughly GBP 5.80, EUR 6.50, CAD 10. Payment in international credit card only (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex). No PayPal, no bank transfer. Foreign transaction fee may add 1-3%.
Direct cost from the official source:
| Item | KRW | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-ETA fee | 10,000 | ~7.30 | ~6.50 | ~5.80 |
| Foreign txn fee (~3%) | — | ~0.22 | ~0.20 | ~0.17 |
| Card spread (1-2%) | — | ~0.15 | — | — |
| Real total | — | ~7.65 | ~6.70 | ~6.00 |
Intermediary sites charge USD 50 to USD 150 for the same service. Don't pay it. The only official site is k-eta.go.kr (Google's first official result has the .go.kr domain — anything else is a middleman).
Cards that generally work without issues: Chase Sapphire Preferred / Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture, any major UK card (Barclaycard, Monzo, Revolut Premium), most EU debit/credit cards. Prepaid travel cards may fail 3DS — a regular bank credit card resolves it.
About the author
Curadoria Voyspark
2 years in the Voyspark editorial team
Time editorial da Voyspark — escritores, repórteres, fotógrafos e fixers em Lisboa, Tóquio, Nova York, Cidade do México e Marrakech. Coletivo. Sem voz corporativa. Cada peça com checagem cruzada por um editor regional e um chef ou curador local.
Expertise
