Traveling to Korea · 1
K-ETA Guide 2026 — Do You Need One to Visit Korea?
For international travelers · 한국 입국 전 K-ETA 안내
FitTrip Editor · 2026.06.12
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is a pre-arrival travel permit for visa-free visitors to South Korea, introduced in September 2021. Through the end of 2026, Korea has temporarily waived K-ETA for nationals of 22 countries/regions; travelers from other countries still need one. The government fee is about KRW 10,000 and an approved K-ETA is valid for multiple entries.
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is a pre-arrival travel permit for visa-free visitors to South Korea, introduced in September 2021 사실.
Temporary exemption through 2026
Korea has temporarily waived K-ETA for nationals of 22 countries/regions through the end of 2026 to boost tourism 사실. Travelers from countries outside this list still need a valid K-ETA before boarding.
Fee & validity
The government fee is about KRW 10,000 (plus payment fee), and an approved K-ETA is valid for multiple entries 사실. This article is part of our multilingual inbound series for travelers coming to Korea.
FAQ
- Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea in 2026?
- It depends on your nationality. Korea has temporarily waived K-ETA for 22 countries/regions through end of 2026; travelers from other visa-free countries still need one before boarding.
- How much does K-ETA cost?
- The government fee is about KRW 10,000 plus a payment processing fee.
- How long is K-ETA valid?
- For applications from 3 July 2023, an approved K-ETA is valid for 3 years (up from 2 years previously), for multiple entries. Always reconfirm on the official site before travel.
Checklist
- Confirm whether your nationality needs a K-ETA (22 countries waived through 2026)
- Apply at least 72 hours before departure on the official site
- Save your K-ETA approval (PDF/screenshot) for boarding
- Get a T-money card and a SIM/eSIM on arrival
- Download a Korea-ready map app (Naver Map / KakaoMap)
See the full course on FitTrip →