Korea entry requirements change on January 1, 2027 for many visitors, unless Korea extends its temporary K-ETA waiver again. The exemption currently runs through December 31, 2026, Korea Standard Time. As of October 11, that leaves 81 days. This guide explains who the waiver covers. It also shows what you must still do before you fly, and how to plan a trip into 2027.
Korea entry requirements today: the K-ETA exemption
K-ETA stands for Korea Electronic Travel Authorization. It is an online pre-approval that visitors from visa-free countries normally need before boarding a flight to Korea. Since April 1, 2023, Korea has waived it for travelers from a long list of countries. The waiver was first set to expire at the end of 2025. Korea then extended it through December 31, 2026.
According to a KPMG global mobility alert dated January 30, 2026, the exemption covers these places:
| Region | Covered by the exemption |
|---|---|
| Americas | United States, Canada |
| Asia | Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao |
| Europe | United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand |
Other lists circulate online with more countries. Treat your own passport as the deciding factor. Confirm it on the official K-ETA site, which shows a pop-up about exemption eligibility during the application process.
The next 81 days at a glance
The timeline shows today’s rules and the e-Arrival Card step. It also marks the December 31, 2026 end date. From January 1, 2027, the standard K-ETA rule applies unless Korea extends the waiver.
The e-Arrival Card is a separate step
Since January 1, 2026, nearly every foreign arrival must file an e-Arrival Card online. You submit it within three days before arrival. The arrival day counts as one of the three days. KPMG and EY both describe this rule in their alerts.
An approved K-ETA waives the e-Arrival Card. That is the main benefit of applying while you are exempt. You skip one online form, and you hold an approval that stays valid until its own expiry date.
What K-ETA costs and how long it takes
- Fee: 10,000 won, about US$7 to $8. The fee is non-refundable, even if you apply during the exemption.
- Processing: the official guide says assessment typically takes 72 hours or less.
- Validity: approval lasts three years from the date of issue and covers multiple entries.
- Where to apply: only the official site, k-eta.go.kr, or the official K-ETA app.
The validity detail matters for 2027 trips. An approval issued in 2026 still counts in 2027. The three years run from the issue date, not from your travel date. TripProf summarizes the official guide on this point in its updated explainer.
Which situation are you in?
| Your trip | What to do |
|---|---|
| Arriving on or before Dec 31, 2026 | You are exempt if your passport is covered. File the e-Arrival Card. K-ETA is optional. |
| Arriving on or after Jan 1, 2027 | K-ETA is the standard rule unless Korea extends the waiver. Apply at least 72 hours before departure. |
| Booking now for 2027 | Check k-eta.go.kr before you pay for flights. Apply once your dates are firm. |
| Already hold a K-ETA | It stays valid until its original expiration date. |
The official notices linked on this page cover the exemption only through December 31, 2026. They do not say what happens afterward. Before you book a 2027 flight, read the latest notice on the K-ETA site.
Avoid look-alike K-ETA sites
The checklist splits your options by arrival date. It also repeats the key scam rule. Apply only on the official site or app, because look-alike sites have charged many times the 10,000 won fee.
Government warnings from several countries describe unofficial sites that charge far more than the real fee. The Korea Herald has reported complaints from travelers who paid on fake sites. Look at the web address before you enter any passport details.
Korea entry requirements checklist before you book
- Check that your passport is valid for your planned stay.
- Note your arrival date. It decides which rule applies.
- Set a reminder to file the e-Arrival Card within three days of arrival.
- If you land in 2027, plan to apply for K-ETA at least 72 hours before departure.
- Save the confirmation email from the official site.
FAQ
Do I need K-ETA right now?
Not if your passport is on the exempt list and you arrive by December 31, 2026. You still file the e-Arrival Card.
Can I apply for K-ETA before the exemption ends?
Yes. Applications stay open during the exemption, and the fee still applies.
What if Korea extends the exemption again?
Korea has extended it before, first past 2025 and again for 2026. Any new extension would appear in the official notices. A K-ETA you already hold stays valid either way.
More Korea trip basics
Once your entry paperwork is settled, read about tipping in Korea and our look at Korean convenience store culture. If you plan a spa day, start with jjimjilbang etiquette.
Sources: KPMG GMS Flash Alert 2026-024, Passport Index summary of the extension, and TripProf K-ETA explainer.