22 nationalities including French exempt from K-ETA until 2025
South Korea temporarily waives K-ETA requirements for citizens of 22 countries, including France, as part of the Visit Korea Year initiative from April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024. Travelers from these nations can enter without the electronic travel authorization until the end of 2024.
As part of "Visit Korea Year (2023-2024)," the K-ETA will be temporarily waived for travelers from 22 visa-exempt countries or regions between April 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024 — including France. South Korea’s immigration authorities announced this exemption, which was subsequently shared by the @encoredusud account on Twitter.
Part of the country’s Visit Korea Year campaign, a cultural initiative to promote South Korea, the temporary exemption means travelers from France and 21 other nations no longer need to present a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the country by land, air, or sea.
Which countries are exempt?
The South Korean government’s official K-ETA portal lists 22 countries that qualify for this temporary exemption: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The exemption applies to travelers entering South Korea for tourism, business, or events — provided they depart by December 31, 2024.
For European citizens from these exempt countries, stays are capped at up to 90 days without a K-ETA.
Already applied for a K-ETA?
If your trip to South Korea is coming up and you’ve already submitted a K-ETA application, don’t worry — any approved applications will remain valid and can still be used until they expire. However, no refunds will be issued to travelers who have already paid for a K-ETA that aligns with this temporary exemption period.
A specialist in regulatory monitoring and a content destination expert, she analyzes daily changes in entry formalities to turn complex administrative processes into practical guides. Her role blends ground-level expertise with technical precision to ensure the reliability of the information provided to travelers.
