South Korea has decided to extend its Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) exemption until December 31, 2025. This decision comes in response to the goal of revitalizing tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic, offering simplified procedures for travelers from 67 visa-exempt countries.
- Duration of exemption : Originally scheduled to end on December 31, 2024This exemption has now been extended for a further year, to enable tourists to visit South Korea without having to apply for prior authorization via the K-ETA system.
- Countries concerned : Citizens of 67 countries, including France, Canada, the United States, Australia, and several European nationsEuropean citizens, will not need a K-ETA to enter South Korea for short stays (up to 90 days for Europeans).
As the Korean authorities remind us, this does not prevent those exempted from paying for a K-ETA application in advance, to avoid having to complete formalities on arrivallike the arrival card.
Why this extension?
The main reason for extending the K-ETA exemption is to support the tourism sector. By facilitating access to the country, South Korea hopes to attract more visitors and thus stimulate the local economy.

How does it work?
- If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country for South Korea, you will not need a K-ETA to enter the country until the end of 2025.
- However, for those who wish to obtain a K-ETA for reasons such as avoiding filling in an arrival card on entry, the procedure remains online and costs KRW 10,000 (around โฌ7).
Exceptions
For travellers, the procedure is simple:
- Children and Seniors : Visitors under 17 or over 65 are exempt from applying for K-ETA, a measure in place since July 2023.
- Visa holders K-ETA: If you already have a visa for South Korea, you don't need a K-ETA.