From January 1, 2025, South Korea will re-impose the Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) requirement for travelers from 67 currently exempt countries and territories. This temporary exemption, to be introduced on April 1, 2023 as part of the " Visit Korea Year 2023-2024 »was aimed at boosting tourism in the wake of the pandemic.
What is K-ETA?
K-ETA, or Korea Electronic Travel Authorizationis a electronic travel authorization system introduced by South Korea on September 1, 2021. This system enables the authorities to screen and assess travellers before they arrive, thereby reinforcing border security and facilitating the immigration process at ports of entry.
Application procedure
To obtain a K-ETA, travellers must submit an online application on the government portal www.k-eta.go.krvia the "K-ETA" mobile application available on the App Store and the Google Play Store or an experienced visa agency. The application requires several pieces of information, including e-mail address, passport details, cell phone number, purpose of stay, accommodation details, occupation, and a passport photo.
The cost of a K-ETA is KRW 10,300 (approx. 7 €), and the application must be completed at least 72 hours before arrival in South Korea. Once approved, authorization is valid for 3 years or until the expiry of the traveler's passport, whichever comes first.
The length of stay in South Korea varies according to the nationality of the K-ETA holder, ranging from 30 days to 180 days. For example, French and European citizens can stay for up to 90 days without a visa..
| Specific exemptions Certain groups of people are exempt from the K-ETA requirement. These include travelers aged 17 and under, as well as those aged 65 and over. In addition, holders of a valid visa, holders of a South Korean residence permit, members of the US Armed Forces in the Republic of Korea (USFK), and holders of a diplomatic or official passport who have obtained an exemption from the relevant authorities are also exempt. |
Nationalities concerned
The 112 countries and territories that will have to apply for a K-ETA in 2025 include nations from Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Here are the countries: 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇱 Albania, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇸 Bahamas, 🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇧🇧 Barbados, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇦 Bosnia Herzegovina, 🇧🇼 Botswana, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇧🇳 Brunei, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇷 Costa Rica, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇩🇲 Dominica, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates, 🇪🇨 Ecuador, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇸🇿 Eswatini, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇯 Fiji, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇪 Greece, 🇬🇩 Grenada, 🇬🇺 Guam, 🇬🇹 Guatemala, 🇬🇾 Guyana, 🇭🇹 Haiti, 🇭🇳 Honduras, 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇯🇲 Jamaica, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇰🇮 Kiribati, 🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇴 Macao, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇶 Morocco, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇫🇲 Micronesia, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇲🇳 Montenegro, 🇲🇦 Mauritius, 🇳🇷 Nauru, 🇳🇮 Nicaragua, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇳🇨 New Caledonia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇵🇦 Panama, 🇵🇼 Palau, 🇵🇾 Paraguay, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇬🇸 Saint Kitts and Nevis, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia, 🇼🇸 Samoa, 🇸🇦 El Salvador, 🇸🇷 Seychelles, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇸🇷 Suriname, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇹🇱 Taiwan, 🇹🇴 Tonga, 🇹🇳 Tunisia, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇹🇻 Tuvalu, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇾 Uruguay, 🇻🇦 Vatican City, 🇻🇪 Venezuela
Travelers planning to enter South Korea after December 31, 2024 without an approved K-ETA or a valid visa risk being denied boarding pass issuance upon check-in or entry into the country. It is therefore crucial to apply for K-ETA in advance to avoid any problems.
Authorized Stay Goals
K-ETA covers a variety of holiday purposes, including individual or group tourism, family or friendly visits, business, medical treatment, conferences, events and sporting events. Since March 2024, a new category of visit has been added: the incentive tourismwhich concerns tourist trips and meetings to reward employees, with travel expenses paid for by foreign companies.
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