South Korea has announced that it will extend the K-ETA exemption for citizens of 67 countries until the end of December 2025. Find out how the simplification of migration legislation will affect travelers from countries exempted from the K-ETA and the current entry rules

The South Korean government has extended the temporary exemption from the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) until December 31, 2025. This rule will apply to citizens of 67 visa-free countries. That is why traveling to South Korea in 2025 will be much easier, we tell you.

What is K-ETA?

The K-ETA is not a visa, but an electronic travel authorization that eligible foreigners must obtain before entering South Korea. The K-ETA applies to representatives of 112 countries exempt from the visa requirement for short-term stays.

Such visitors must apply for a K-ETA at least 72 hours before departure. The K-ETA helps South Korean authorities pre-screen visitors, ensuring seamless border security and an improved travel experience.

Citizens of which countries are exempt from applying for a K-ETA?

Citizens from the following 67 countries and territories can enter South Korea without a K-ETA: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, United States, Bahrain, Brunei, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Macau, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE, Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, South Africa.

Basic rules for visa-free entry to South Korea

The length of stay allowed in South Korea depends on nationality, usually 90 days for European and American travelers or 6 months for travelers from Canada.

From July 2023, travelers under the age of 17 or 65 and older are exempt from the K-ETA requirement.

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In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

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How to apply for a K-ETA?

Representatives of countries that are not exempt from applying for a K-ETA in 2025 must follow the following procedure to be eligible for visa-free entry:

- Start applying at least 72 hours before boarding the flight.

- Visit the official Korean government website to apply for a K-ETA.

- Enter your email address, passport details, and other required details. Fill in the details correctly and truthfully. Failure to do so may result in rejection.

- Pay for your application.

- Wait for your application to be assessed.

- Check the results of your application and receive your travel authorization.

Reminder! Citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and other countries that are not eligible for visa-free travel to South Korea will need to obtain a visa to enter the country in 2025.

K-ETA application fee

The K-ETA application fee is 10,000 won, which is equivalent to approximately 9-10 USD. This excludes any additional fees, such as those that agents may charge you if you apply through them. This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether your application is accepted or not.

How long does it take to process a K-ETA?

K-ETA applications are usually processed within 24 hours. However, to avoid possible problems, we recommend that you apply at least 72 hours before departure.

How long is a K-ETA valid for?

The travel authorization is valid for 2 years from the date of approval of your application and allows multiple entries for tourism or business.

If there are any changes in your travel or identification data that are relevant to the application, even if your K-ETA has not yet expired, you will still need to reapply on time, as your K-ETA must contain the most up-to-date information and is processed based on the most up-to-date information about you.

The simplification of migration laws reflects South Korea's desire to make travel more accessible, especially for tourists from eligible countries. The state is striving to attract more visitors and revive its tourism sector, so in 2025 - South Korea is a promising country for travel.

Let's remind you! The Government of the Republic of Korea is planning to introduce a new visa for foreign citizens who dream of exploring Korean culture. The main goal of such an innovation is to return tourist flows to a record level. We have previously talked about the features of the K-Culture visa in South Korea.

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Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

To arrange a safe move to South Korea, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

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We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information. Therefore, if you see any error or discrepancy, please write to our hotline.