Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Jeju: there are many must-see destinations in South Korea. Located in East Asia, the cradle of K-pop, also famous for its seventh art and richly flavored gastronomy, abounds in sacred temples, verdant countryside, fascinating islands and high-tech cities. So what are the procedures for traveling to Korea? Is it necessary to apply for a visa for South Korea?
Our agency specializing in travel documents for individuals and professionals provides all the information you need to organize your stay in South Korea with peace of mind. From visa exemption under certain conditions to electronic travel authorization requests, we explain all the steps you need to take to visit this Asian country. Entrust your travel authorization request to Visamundi to receive your official document quickly and easily, and prepare for your departure in the best possible conditions.
Do I need a visa to enter South Korea?
The South Korean government has set up a Visa Waiver Program (VWP), known as the "Visa Waiver Program"(VWP) program. Up to 112 nationalities are involved in this program, depending on the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in the countries concerned.
French, Belgian and Swiss nationals, for example, are not required to apply for a visa for South Korea for a stay of up to 90 days. Other nationalities are limited to stays of 30 or 60 days for visa-free travel to South Korea. Canadians, on the other hand, can stay up to 6 months in the country without a visa. The ENP has also applied to Jeju Island since September 2022.
For nationalities exempted from visas for South Korea, it is however necessary to apply for an electronic travel authorization in South Korea, called "K-ETA" for "Korea Electronic Travel Authorization".Korea Electronic Travel Authorization"in English. Thanks to K-ETA, citizens of visa-exempt countries can travel to South Korea for a variety of reasons:
- tourism,
- visit acquaintances,
- attend an event or meeting,
- business travel.
However, unlike a visa, the K-ETA does not allow you to find work or settle in South Korea. We invite you to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in your country of residence to apply for a classic visa for South Korea.
Compared with a visa for South Korea, the K-ETA is valid for 3 years from the date of issue by the South Korean authorities, or until expiry of the passport associated with the K-ETA application. It is a travel authorization with unlimited entry, within a limit of 30 to 90 days depending on your nationality.
If you change your passport, change your identity - name, gender or nationality - develop an infectious disease or acquire a criminal record before visiting South Korea, you must renew your application at K-ETA, even if the document has not yet expired.
Please note that 22 nationalities have been granted an exemption from the K-ETA procedure until the end of 2024 as part of the "Visit Korea Year": Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States. However, it is advisable to apply for K-ETA in advance, to save time when you arrive in South Korea.
How do I get a K-ETA with Visamundi ?
Are you planning a stay of between 30 and 90 days in South Korea for tourism, business or events? With Visamundi, your request for K-ETA is simplified. Apply online now on our website.
Benefit from the best services with Visamundi for your South Korea visa waiver application online. Our fully paperless application procedure for K-ETA is fast and straightforward. All you have to do is fill in the form provided on our website. The information requested includes
- the reason for your trip to South Korea,
- your arrival and departure dates,
- your identity,
- your passport.
Once you have completed our form and paid K-ETA , all you need to do is send us a photocopy of your valid passport and a recent color passport photo. With these documents, which our team will check for conformity, you can maximize your chances of benefiting from visa exemption for South Korea as quickly as possible.
With Visamundi, the electronic travel authorization for South Korea is issued within 72 hours for urgent departures. We advise you to send us your request at least 3 days before your departure to South Korea. The travel authorization is in the form of an official document sent in electronic format (PDF), to be printed before your departure for South Korea.
If you lose your K-ETA before your trip to South Korea, contact us and we will send you a free copy of your travel authorization by e-mail as soon as possible.
How much does a visa for South Korea cost?
How much does a visa for South Korea cost?K-ETA comes with a single fee, regardless of your nationality or the length of your stay in South Korea. You can obtain your electronic travel authorization for South Korea for a consular fee of €7, or around 10,000 South Korean won (excluding service charges), for stays of between 30 and 90 days maximum. This means you can travel to South Korea without a visa, provided you are a national of a country designated as a "free visa country" by the South Korean government.
In the event that the South Korean authorities refuse to issue your K-ETA application, Visamundi will reimburse all costs associated with your online application. Pay for your K-ETA online in complete security, thanks to our secure European payment system.
