Whenever I plan an overseas trip, the very first thing I check is visa requirements. No matter how well you prepare for your trip, if you run into visa issues at immigration, your entire travel schedule could collapse, causing major losses.
You must verify whether your country is eligible for visa-free entry to Korea or if you need to apply for a tourist visa in advance.
Especially for Korea, even if you’re from a visa-free country, you still need to obtain K-ETA approval beforehand under the Electronic Travel Authorization system.
In this article, I’ll break down the latest updates on Korea’s visa and K-ETA requirements in a simple, easy-to-understand way for anyone preparing a trip to Korea.
1. Countries Eligible for Visa-Free Entry
As of April 2025, citizens of 112 countries can enter Korea without applying for a separate tourist visa.
They can generally stay for tourism or short visits for 30 to 90 days.
However, even travelers from visa-free countries must apply for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) online before traveling.
Among the 112 visa-free countries, travelers from 67 countries are temporarily exempted from K-ETA until December 31, 2025.
Additionally, travelers who are under 17 or over 65 years old are exempt from K-ETA at the time of entry.
Visit the official website (https://www.k-eta.go.kr/) to check the full list of 112 visa-free countries and the 67 countries eligible for K-ETA exemption.
2. What is K-ETA and Why Is It Important?
K-ETA is not a visa.
It’s an electronic travel authorization that you must obtain before boarding your flight to Korea.
You simply enter your passport information and travel details online and pay a small fee of about ₩10,000 KRW (approximately $7–8 USD).
K-ETA approval must be obtained before boarding your flight.
If you attempt to apply after boarding or after arriving in Korea, your application may be denied, and you could be refused entry.
K-ETA approval usually takes less than 1 hour, but depending on application volume or individual circumstances, it could take up to 72 hours.
To be safe, you should apply for K-ETA immediately after booking your flight.
Once approved, your K-ETA is valid for 3 years and allows for multiple entries during its validity period.
3. When You Need a Tourist Visa
If your country is not on the visa-free list, you must apply for a C-3 Short-Term Visit Visa (Tourism).
This visa allows you to stay in Korea for up to 90 days.
You’ll need to prepare the following documents and submit them to your nearest Korean embassy or consulate:
- Valid passport
- Completed visa application form
- Travel itinerary
- Proof of financial means (such as bank statements)
4. How to Apply for a Tourist Visa
Applying for a tourist visa is simpler than you might think:
- Fill out the visa application form
- Submit a valid passport
- Provide proof of accommodation and a detailed travel itinerary
- Submit a bank statement showing sufficient funds
The processing time usually takes 5 to 15 business days, so it’s better to apply well in advance.
If you want to improve your chances of getting approved, here are some practical tips:
- Travel history: Prior travel records to safe countries like Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Singapore help show you're a legitimate traveler.
- Round-trip flight and hotel bookings: Proof of where you’ll stay and when you’ll leave Korea is essential.
- Detailed itinerary: A realistic and well-planned trip schedule strengthens your application.
- Financial proof: Show a bank statement with at least $4,000 USD.
- No past overstays: Submitting proof of no previous immigration violations helps greatly.
For most travelers coming to Korea for tourism, simply checking your visa requirements and making sure to apply for K-ETA (if needed) will ensure a smooth entry.
Ignoring these steps could result in being denied boarding for your flight — something you definitely want to avoid.
Make sure to check all necessary requirements in advance so you can start your trip to Korea without any stress!
In the next article, Buying SIM, eSIM & Pocket Wi-Fi at Incheon Airport (2025).
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