K-ETA — How to Apply (Step-by-step Guide)
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online pre-screening visitors from visa-free countries must complete before boarding a flight or ship to Korea. It is not a visa — it is permission to board, valid for short stays only.
Do I need K-ETA?
If your passport is from a visa-waiver country AND you plan to enter Korea for tourism, transit, business, or a short visit, you generally need K-ETA. Citizens of countries that require a regular visa do not need K-ETA — they apply for a visa instead. Until 31 December 2026 Korea has temporarily exempted citizens of 22 selected countries (e.g. Japan, USA, UK, Australia, Germany) from K-ETA for tourism/transit. Check the country list page to confirm your status.
How to apply, step by step
Apply on the official site k-eta.go.kr at least 72 hours before departure. The application takes about 10 minutes.
- 1
Prepare what you'll need
Have ready: a passport valid 6+ months, a digital passport-style photo (JPG/PNG under 100KB, plain background), your return or onward ticket details, the address of where you'll stay in Korea (hotel booking is fine), and an international credit card to pay the fee.
- 2
Open the official K-ETA site
Go to k-eta.go.kr. The site is run by the Korea Immigration Service. Avoid third-party sites that charge extra — there is no faster process and no premium tier. Pick your language at the top right.
- 3
Fill in personal and travel info
Enter your name, date of birth, passport number, and nationality exactly as shown in your passport — including hyphens, spaces, and the order of given/family names. Mismatches are the #1 cause of rejection. Add your address in Korea (street + hotel/host) and a phone number where you can be reached.
- 4
Upload your photo
Recent photo (within 6 months), passport-style: face centered, neutral expression, plain light background, no glasses or hat, full face visible. File: JPG/PNG, 100KB max, 480×640px recommended. Poor photos are the #2 cause of rejection.
- 5
Answer the screening questions
You'll be asked about prior visa refusals to Korea, criminal history, deportation history from any country, and infectious diseases. Answer truthfully — lying is grounds for permanent denial. A 'yes' answer does not automatically reject you, but you may need to apply for a regular visa instead.
- 6
Pay the fee
KRW 10,000 (about USD 7) by international credit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX). The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. There is no separate 'rush' or 'priority' fee.
- 7
Wait for the result
Most applications are approved within minutes; some take up to 72 hours. You'll receive an email when ready. Check status at any time on k-eta.go.kr using your application number. Save or print the result — you may be asked at boarding and at Korean immigration.
Cost & validity
Application fee: KRW 10,000 (about USD 7), paid by international card. Once approved, K-ETA is valid for 3 years OR until your passport expires — whichever comes first. Each entry allows up to 90 days of stay (or whatever your country's visa-waiver allows, whichever is shorter).
If your K-ETA is rejected
Rejection means the system flagged something. You may re-apply after fixing the issue (clearer photo, correct passport number, fixed travel history). If you cannot get approved, you must apply for a regular short-term visit visa (C-3) at your nearest Korean embassy or consulate.
Tips that prevent rejections
- Use a clear, recent passport-style photo with plain background.
- Match your passport details exactly — including hyphens, middle names, and date format.
- Provide a real address in Korea (hotel booking is fine; do not write 'unknown').
- Have your return or onward ticket booked — airlines may ask at check-in.
- Apply at least 72 hours before departure — last-minute applications risk delay.
Official source: k-eta.go.kr ↗