South Korea entry requirements
Travellers on New Zealand, Australian, US, British, Canadian, German and Japanese passports don't need a K-ETA to visit South Korea until 31 December 2026, under a temporary exemption. Instead, every traveller without a K-ETA submits the free e-Arrival card from 3 days before entering Korea.
Photo: Daniel Bernard on Unsplash
At a glance, by passport
| Passport | Visa or travel authority | Arrival forms and levies | Coming home |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not needed | Korea e-Arrival card (Free) | Not covered yet |
| United Kingdom (British citizen) | Not needed | Korea e-Arrival card (Free) | Not covered yet |
| Australia | Not needed | Korea e-Arrival card (Free) | Incoming Passenger Card |
| New Zealand | Not needed | Korea e-Arrival card (Free) | New Zealand Traveller Declaration |
| Canada | Not needed | Korea e-Arrival card (Free) | Not covered yet |
| Germany | Not needed | Korea e-Arrival card (Free) | Not covered yet |
| Japan | Not needed | Korea e-Arrival card (Free) | Visit Japan Web customs declaration |
Your Korea checklist
Everything for one traveller. Add everyone on your booking in the WayReady app.
How WayReady gets Korea sorted
You stay in control the whole way. We get it ready; you submit on the official site.
- 1
Your trip, built from your booking
Paste your confirmation and WayReady picks up your flights into ICN, your dates and where you're staying.
- 2
Every form found for every traveller
Each person's passport is checked against the official rules, including the declaration for coming home.
- 3
Plain questions for what only you know
Things like cash, food or goods are flagged for you to answer, never guessed. Everything else is ready to copy.
- 4
Submitted by you, on the official site
Open the government site from your trip, paste in your answers, pay any government fee directly, and submit.
Guides for this trip
- When can I submit the Korea e-Arrival card?From 3 days before you enter Korea. The Korea e-Arrival card is free on the official site. Exact timing, what you'll need and a countdown to your window.Read the guide
- Korea e-Arrival card for families and childrenEvery traveller needs an arrival card unless they hold a K-ETA. What each traveller needs for the Korea e-Arrival card, and how to do it for your whole group.Read the guide
- Is the Korea e-Arrival card free? The official site, and how to avoid payingThe Korea e-Arrival card is free on e-arrivalcard.go.kr. How to find the official site, spot look-alike sites that charge a fee, and what the form covers.Read the guide
Korea questions, answered
Do I need a K-ETA for Korea in 2026?
Not on New Zealand, Australian, US, British, Canadian, German and Japanese passports until 31 December 2026, under Korea's temporary exemption. You can still apply for one if you'd rather skip the arrival card.
Is the Korea e-Arrival card free?
Yes. Submit it on the official site, e-arrivalcard.go.kr.
When can I submit the Korea e-Arrival card?
From 3 days before you enter Korea.
Who doesn't need the e-Arrival card?
Travellers with a valid K-ETA, and registered foreign residents of Korea.
Official sources
- e-Arrival card guide (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea)
- e-arrivalcard.go.kr
- K-ETA exemption notice (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea)
Last checked 3 October 2026. Rules can change at short notice, so always confirm on the official site before you travel. WayReady is not a government agency.