Since September 1st, 2021, South Korea has implemented the Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) for travellers from 112 countries. This guide provides comprehensive information about the K-ETA, including who needs it, how to apply, processing times, and other essential details for a smooth trip to Korea.
What is the K-ETA?
The South Korea eta stands for the electronic travel authorization, a travel permit that allows visitors from foreign nations to enter the country for a short while. This document allows the holder to travel to South Korea several times because it is like a multiple entry visa. The aim is to reduce the burden of travellers coming to Korea and to encourage more people to visit Korea during the ‘Visit Korea Year’, which runs during 2024 and 2025.
Who Needs to Apply for the K-ETA?
Nationals aged between 18 and 65 from countries that concluded a visa waiver agreement with the Republic of Korea will need to obtain the K-ETA. Nationals aged between 18 and 65 from countries that are designated visa-free entry to the Republic of Korea will need to obtain the K-ETA. Eligibility for K-ETA is based on your nationality, not your country of residence or where you’re travelling from.
However, there are exceptions:
- From July 3rd, 2024, the Korean government will no longer ask for travellers who are 17 years and younger, or 65 years and older, to apply for a K-ETA when visiting Korea.
- If you have a valid Korean visa, you do not need to get a K-ETA. You’ll need to apply for a tourist visa from your local Korean embassy.
- If you are a registered foreign resident in Korea, you do not need a K-ETA.
- If you are a member of the United States Forces Korea (USFK), you do not need to get a K-ETA.
- If you have a valid ABTC, you do not need a K-ETA. Please note: An ABTC card is an APEC Business Travel Card.
It is important to note that if a person, who is a national of a K-ETA required country, does not have a K-ETA, he or she will not be allowed to board the flight or ship bound for the Republic of Korea.
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How to Apply for the K-ETA
This section will describe how to apply for the Korea-ETA, how much to pay, and what you will need to prepare for your K-ETA application. Make sure you have all these documents ready before you start your application to ensure a smooth process.
- Passport: Applicants must have a valid passport so your identity and nationality can be verified, ensuring you’re eligible for a K-ETA. The passport should have 6 months of validity left at a minimum. The biodata page should be scanned and uploaded to the application form. You should also include the passport number.
- Payment Method: In addition, a valid debit or credit card is required to pay the ₩10,000 K-ETA fee. This cost covers the administrative costs of processing the K-ETA applications. The ₩10,000 fee for applying for the K-ETA is non-refundable, even if your application is unsuccessful.
- Passport-Size Colour Photo: Lastly, a passport-size colour photo is required. This photo is used for identification purposes and should meet the standard passport photo requirements. The photo for the K-ETA application must be in colour and be standard passport-size, typically measuring 35mm in width and 45mm in height. The image should have a clear and well-lit background, preferably in white or a light colour, ensuring the applicant’s face is distinctly visible. The individual’s facial features should be centred and occupy about 70-80% of the photo, presenting a neutral expression with both eyes open and looking directly into the camera. It’s essential you avoid pictures with any shadows, reflections, or red-eye effects. Photos should be taken within the last 6 months, which is typical for most visa and travel applications around the world in my experience.
- Application Form: The Korea electronic travel authorization application form is one of the most important documents required. This form is obtained and filled out online. There are fields for different entries, so endeavor to provide only accurate answers to all the questions. Take your time to check for mistakes and correct them, as such mistakes may lead to rejections.
One applicant can apply for up to 50 people, such as family members, and can proceed with the K-ETA payment as well. The K-ETA can only be completed in English, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Malay, Spanish, French and Japanese.
K-ETA Processing Time
So how long do you wait to get your eta document after submitting the application? Under normal conditions, you may have to wait for 3-4 working days, but you can get yours within 24-48 hours for urgent applications. However, in practice, the actual processing time can range from a few hours to a few days. You should apply for the K-ETA at least 24 hours prior to boarding the flight or ship bound for the Republic of Korea. Once you’ve booked your hotel and know your travel dates, you can start your K-ETA application. To avoid delays, ensure you only submit valid documents and cross-check for entry mistakes.
Validity Period and Usage
The validity period of a K-ETA is 3 years from the date of approval (as of July 3rd, 2024). Yes. You can use the K-ETA multiple times within the 3 year validity. Visitors can stay in South Korea for generally up to 90 days, but the allowed period of stay may differ by nationality. The minimum amount of time is 30 days and the maximum is 3 months. The visa is valid for two years, but they cannot enter the country twice within 180 days. This means that after a 90 day stay, they must depart and wait for more than three months before they are allowed back into the country. However, they can visit as often as they wish within a calendar year.
Reasons for K-ETA Rejection
There are multiple reasons why a K-ETA application can be rejected. The most common one, and one that can be fixed easily, is due to an inappropriate image being uploaded with the application. The image should be under 100kb in size and have dimensions of less than 600 x 600. If your image exceeds these restrictions, it can be rejected.
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Important Reminders
- If you received K-ETA approval with incorrect information, you may face disadvantages such as entry denial.
- Once you are approved for a K-ETA, you do not have to apply for 3 years.
- You cannot engage in profitable activities in Korea with a K-ETA.
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