South Korea’s temporary exemption from the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is scheduled to end on December 31, 2026. This guide separates what the government has confirmed from what has not been announced.
What is officially confirmed
Korean diplomatic missions published the Ministry of Justice notice on the K-ETA exemption. Its main points are:
- The Ministry of Justice extended the temporary K-ETA exemption by one more year to support the tourism industry.
- The extended period runs from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (Korea Standard Time).
- The extension applies to the countries and regions that are already exempt, and the notice states that this includes the United States.
- Eligible travelers see a “K-ETA Exempt” pop-up when they select their nationality in the K-ETA application.
The official notices are available on the Korean Consulate General in Houston site and on the Korean Consulate in Hagatna site. The K-ETA portal itself is k-eta.go.kr.
Exempt does not mean you cannot apply
The notice says travelers from exempt countries may still apply for a K-ETA if they want its benefits, such as not having to submit a separate arrival card. In that case the application fee is charged. A K-ETA that was already issued stays valid until its own expiry date, and fees paid for an issued K-ETA are non-refundable.
What is not known yet
| Question | Status as of October 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Will the exemption be extended beyond December 31, 2026? | The published notices cover 2026 only. |
| How are trips booked now but starting after December 31 treated? | The notices define the exemption by calendar period and do not describe this case. Check the K-ETA portal before you book. |
| Which countries are on the list? | The exact list is published on the K-ETA portal and can change, so check your own nationality there. |
The K-ETA is not the only entry form
Korea also uses a separate online arrival card. According to a February 2025 notice from the Korean embassy network, foreign nationals entering Korea must submit it unless they fall into an exempt group, and holders of a valid K-ETA are one of those groups. That is why a K-ETA-exempt traveler who does not hold a K-ETA still needs to check the e-Arrival Card site. The notice is here: e-Arrival card system notice.
A practical checklist
- Open the K-ETA portal and select your nationality to see whether the “K-ETA Exempt” message appears.
- If your entry date is in 2027, check the portal again closer to departure, because the exemption period is set until December 31, 2026.
- Decide whether a voluntary K-ETA is worth the fee for you. The official reason given is skipping the separate arrival card.
- Use only government websites, which end in .go.kr, for the K-ETA and the arrival card.
Sources checked
- Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption (through 12/31/2026), Korean Consulate General in Houston, dated January 1, 2026.
- Notice of Exemption of K-ETA Temporary Period, Korean Consulate in Hagatna, dated December 29, 2025.
- Implementation of e-Arrival card system, Korean embassy notice, dated February 20, 2025.
Checked on October 16, 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the official portal before you travel.