South Korea has extended the K-ETA exemption until the end of 2026 for citizens of 67 countries. Find out who can travel without permission and what tourists should know

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Traveling to South Korea in 2025-2026 will become even easier for millions of tourists. The country has officially extended the temporary exemption from the K-ETA requirement for citizens of dozens of countries, reducing the number of formalities upon entry. Read this article to find out who can benefit from the exemption and what it means for travelers.

Traveling to South Korea is a new experience, but also a new risk. Medical insurance will help you avoid large expenses in the event of illness, injury or emergency care abroad.

Take care of your safety in advance - take out insurance before your trip.

South Korea has canceled the K-ETA by the end of 2026: what is known?

South Korea has extended the temporary visa-free regime without the need to obtain a K-ETA until December 31, 2026. This decision applies to citizens of 67 countries and territories that previously enjoyed visa-free entry and were subject to a temporary exemption.

The update was posted on the official K-ETA website and confirmed by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea. The decision aims to stimulate tourism and simplify entry after several difficult years for global travel.

How will the abolition of the K-ETA affect tourists in South Korea?

If you are a citizen of one of the countries covered by the exemption:

- No need to apply for a K-ETA;

- A valid passport, return ticket, and meeting standard entry requirements are sufficient;

- No additional online applications or prior permits are required.

When scanning your passport details on the K-ETA website, the system will display a message stating that you are exempt from applying.

Which countries' citizens can enter South Korea without a K-ETA in 2026

The exemption only applies to citizens of countries that:

- Have a visa-free regime with South Korea;

- Have previously been included in the temporary exemption list from K-ETA.

Europe

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.

America

Canada, USA, Mexico, Chile, Colombia.

Asia

Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan.

Middle East

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Israel.

Oceania

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands and others.

Africa

South Africa.

67 countries and territories in total.

Can I apply for a K-ETA voluntarily?

Submitting a K-ETA is not mandatory, but it can be useful in some cases. For example, it allows you to avoid filling out an electronic arrival card when going through immigration control.

If you still decide to apply:

- cost - 10,000 KRW (≈ 8 USD);

- the fee is non-refundable;

- the approved K-ETA remains valid until its expiration date, even during the exemption period.

Basic rules for visa-free entry to South Korea

The permitted length of stay 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.

How to apply for K-ETA?

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

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

- Visit the official Korean government website to apply for 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 the 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 in 2025 will need to obtain a visa to enter the country.

K-ETA processing 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 your application is approved and allows multiple entries for tourism or business.

If there are any changes to your travel or identification details that are relevant to your application, even if your K-ETA has not 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 extension of the K-ETA exemption makes traveling to South Korea in 2026 even more convenient. Less bureaucracy, faster entry and more freedom for tourists. If your country is on the list, you can plan your trip without additional permits.

Even if you do not need a visa or K-ETA to travel to South Korea, medical insurance remains an important element of safe travel. It covers medical treatment, hospitalization and unforeseen expenses while abroad.

Travel with peace of mind – apply for medical insurance online today.

Reminder! 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 this innovation is to return tourist flows to a documentary level. We have previously reported on the features of the K-Culture visa in South Korea.

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