South Korea Extends K-ETA Exemption Until December 2026

South Korea continues to reaffirm its status as a top global destination by simplifying access to its territory in an effort to attract more visitors. In a bold move to support the post-crisis tourism recovery, the country has not only extended the temporary exemption from its electronic travel authorization—K-ETA but has also accelerated the full digitization of its entry formalities, including streamlined immigration checks.

Following the 10th National Tourism Strategy Meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the temporary K-ETA exemption has been officially extended until December 2026.

“We will extend by one year (until December 2026) the temporary exemption of the electronic travel authorization (K-ETA), which was set to expire this year.”

Press release – 25 September 2025, Seoul

K-ETA Electronic Travel Authorization Exemption

The K-ETA exemption (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization), introduced in 2021, allows citizens from numerous countries—including European travelers—to enter South Korea without the need to obtain the standard K-ETA, provided their visit is 90 days or less. Originally granted until 31 December 2025, this exemption has now been pushed back to 31 December 2026.

This strategy, introduced under the “Visit Korea Year 2023–2024” initiative to boost tourism growth, has already delivered strong results: South Korea welcomed 16.37 million visitors in 2024, a dramatic 48.4% increase from the previous year. France stands out as a key market—now the leading European source market for South Korea, with 137,000 French visitors recorded last year.

Even with the extended K-ETA exemption in place, travelers from the 67 participating countries retain the option to submit an optional K-ETA application. Completing this procedure online can help bypass potential arrival wait times, as the digital pre-approval further streamlines immigration processes.

Mandatory e-Arrival Card Slated for 2026

Alongside the K-ETA exemption extension, South Korea is rolling out a major modernization of its entry process. The e-Arrival Card, introduced in 2025, is now a fully digital alternative to the paper declaration previously completed at the airport.

Travelers can complete this requirement remotely using the official government portal: e-arrivalcard.go.kr. The form must be submitted up to three days prior to arrival. Completing the e-Arrival Card in advance helps speed up immigration clearance and ensures a smoother travel experience upon landing. From 2026 onward, this digital card will become mandatory for all arriving travelers—further reducing paperwork and streamlining the entry experience.

Biometric Entry Checks Expansion

The modernization extends beyond digital paperwork. South Korea is accelerating the implementation of a next-generation entry system designed to make arrival in the country “faster and smoother.” This includes the widespread deployment of self-check-in kiosks in airports, enabling travelers to scan documents and clear immigration in seconds. Meanwhile, biometric screening—using facial recognition or fingerprint technology—already in use in select airports, will expand nationwide.

With the K-ETA exemption extended through December 2026 and the gradual rollout of the mandatory e-Arrival Card, South Korea’s entry procedures have never been easier, allowing travelers to focus on preparing for their trip.