Are visas necessary for Australian citizens planning a trip to South Korea?
No, Australian citizens do not need a visa, but they must register for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) before entering South Korea. This electronic authorization enables visa-free entry for tourism, short-term business, and other stays within the visa waiver policy.
What is K-ETA for Australians?
K-ETA allows Australian citizens to enter South Korea visa-free for tourism and short visits. The application should be completed at least 72 hours prior to departure and is valid for multiple entries over two years.
How many days can Australian citizens remain in South Korea without a visa?
• 30 days: Albania, Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei, Cyprus, Eswatini, Fiji, Guyana, Honduras, Vatican City, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tunisia, Tuvalu.
• 60 days: Lesotho.
• 90 days: Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Macao SAR China, Hong Kong SAR China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.
• 180 days: Canada.
• Special cases: Kazakhstan citizens may stay for 30 days per entry, not exceeding 60 days within 180 days; Russian citizens may stay 60 days per entry, up to 90 days within 180 days.
What do Australian citizens need to provide for the K-ETA process?
• Valid passport: Ensure it has at least six months of validity.
• Email address: Essential for receiving K-ETA updates and confirmation.
• Face image photo: Upload an image or take a photo on mobile if using the app.
• Credit or debit card: The application fee is 10,000 KRW per person.
How much is the K-ETA fee for Australians?
The K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW (around USD $9-10) per applicant. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of application outcome.
What are the steps for citizens from Australia to apply for K-ETA?
1. Submit Application: Complete the K-ETA application form online via the website or app.
2. Provide Documents: Upload passport details and a recent photo.
3. Payment: Complete the transaction for the application fee.
4. Approval: Processing takes roughly 24 hours, after which K-ETA is valid for multiple entries over two years.
Does South Korea mandate health insurance for Australian citizens?
Health insurance is recommended to safeguard against unexpected health expenses in South Korea. This insurance provides peace of mind in case of illness or emergencies during your stay.
What places in South Korea are must-visits for Australian citizens?
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace – A magnificent palace offering a glimpse into Korea’s royal history.
2. Bukchon Hanok Village – Explore traditional hanok houses and discover Korean culture firsthand.
3. Jeju Island – Known for its scenic beaches, volcanic landscapes, and hiking trails.
4. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) – Visit the symbolic border for a unique look at inter-Korean relations.
5. Namsan Seoul Tower – Take in panoramic views of Seoul, a must-see at sunset.
Cats and dogs under the age of 90 days are exempt from a titer analysis for antibodies to rabies. Adult pets must be chipped, vaccinated, and have a quarantine certificate.
What documents are required?
- Passport of the animal. The document is issued by a licensed veterinary clinic after examining the pet. It displays data on the breed, age, vaccinations. Also, the 15-digit identification code of the microchip implanted under the animal's skin is entered into the passport.
- Chipping. The microchip must work according to HDX or FDX-B technology, as well as meet the requirements of international standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785. It is not necessary to change old-style chips, but you must have a reading device with you.
- Vaccination. After reaching the age of more than 90 days, the animal must be vaccinated. Importing an animal to South Korea will also require comprehensive vaccination against plague, infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus enteritis, etc.
- Rabies virus antibody titer test. You can take a blood test at least 30 days after vaccination, since the vaccination begins to work only after 21 days. Serological research is carried out only in accredited anti-rabies laboratories. The permissible concentration of antibodies in the animal's blood is at least 0.5 IU/ml. With lower indicators, re-vaccination of the pet is required.
Important! Rabies antibody titer analysis is performed at least 30 days and at most 24 months before the trip.
In order not to postpone the trip at the last moment, you should do the rabies titer analysis in advance, approximately 2-3 months before departure.
1. When entering Korea
There is a system of "red" and "green corridors" in Korea.The "Green Corridor" is designed for individuals moving goods that are exempt from duty and taxes. If you are in doubt as to whether you need to declare the goods you are importing, it is recommended to choose the "red corridor" to avoid possible misunderstandings.
Goods that need to be declared should be packed in such a way that they can be easily presented to a customs official if necessary.
Important! It is categorically not recommended to move the luggage of strangers. If such goods turn out to be prohibited or restricted for import, the person who directly moves them will be responsible for the offense.
It is prohibited to provide customs authorities with inaccurate or incomplete information. Such actions can be followed by a confiscation of the goods as a punishment.
Duty-free import
Goods with a value of not more than 400 dollars are imported into Korea duty-free and tax-free. If the value of the imported goods exceeds the specified limit, customs payments are paid only in respect of the excess.
In addition to the above, it is also allowed to import without a duty:
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages (worth less than 400 dollars);
- 2 ounces of perfumery products (~56.6 g);
- 200 cigarettes;
- 50 cigars;
- 250 g of tobacco.
Personal property (clothing, toiletries, personal jewelry, including a wristwatch) may be imported duty-free, provided that:
- These things are intended for personal use;
- The goods will not be used by other persons, are not intended as a gift, for sale or exchange for other goods.
Members of the same family are allowed to sum up the quotas that belong to each individual.
Items intended as gifts are included in the 400 dollar duty and tax exempt total.
If a person moves goods in excess of the established quotas, it is necessary to declare the goods and pay customs payments, namely: duty, VAT, as well as special taxes. In this case, a simplified rate of duty is applied in the form of 20 to 55%.
Duties and taxes are calculated as a percentage of the contractual value of the goods (the value at which the goods were purchased). If the value of the goods cannot be determined, it is established at the discretion of the customs officer. Payments are accepted only in Korean won. A person cannot pay customs fees using a credit card or in any other way.
Items that should be declared:
- Goods exceeding the established quota numbers;
- Goods designed for sale in Korea;
- Foreign currency and other means of payment summing up to more than 10,000 dollars;
Goods restricted to import:
- Cold weapons and firearms, cartridges for them, explosives;
- Narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as any drugs containing such substances;
- Goods made from animal materials that are under special protection and the use of which is restricted or prohibited;
- Goods, the import of which is restricted by the quarantine service (food products, animals and plant materials);
- Animals, plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as their derivatives.
Restrictions on goods may be introduced for reasons of public safety and welfare of the state, as well as for the purpose of protecting national fauna and flora. A special permit is required to import such goods into the country.
Goods prohibited for import:
- Books, publications;
- Images, films and other materials of pornographic content;
- Any materials that may be considered as ones violating the constitutional order, public security and traditional foundations;
- Counterfeit coins, banknotes, negotiable instruments.
When declaring goods, the following documents must be submitted:
- Passport;
- Plane ticket;
- Customs declaration (if required).
2. When leaving Korea
Duties and taxes are not payable on goods whose value does not exceed 400 dollars.
In addition, a person has the right to export the following goods without payment of customs payments within the specified restrictions:
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages;
- 200 cigarettes;
- 50 cigars;
- 2 ounces of perfumery products (~56.6 g);
- 250 g of tobacco products. The export of alcoholic beverages is allowed for individuals over the age of 20, cigarettes – over the age of 19.
The amount of foreign or Korean currency being exported that exceeds 10,000 dollars must be declared.
When moving souvenirs purchased in Korea, you should be aware that any restrictions and prohibitions may apply to materials of animal and plant origin. Such goods are recommended to be submitted to customs officials for inspection.
If a person takes out of Korea any expensive items (computers, video and photo cameras) with the intention of further importing the goods, such goods must be declared. One of the possible proofs of ownership of goods being brought back can be a receipt.
Goods that are subject to mandatory declaration when taking them out of Korea:
- Animals, plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as their derivatives;
- Korean and foreign currency, the value of which exceeds 10,000 dollars;
- Firearms and cartridges for them;
- Objects of cultural and historical heritage.
Export of the abovementioned goods is carried out on the basis of a permit.