Do citizens of Japan have to apply for a visa to go to South Korea?
No visa is necessary, but Japanese citizens must obtain a K-ETA prior to arrival. This authorization is essential for short stays under South Korea’s visa waiver program.
What is K-ETA for Japanese?
The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) enables travelers from eligible countries to enter South Korea visa-free for tourism or short-term stays. Citizens from Japan should apply at least 72 hours before travel.
What’s the allowed length of stay in South Korea for Japanese citizens?
• 30 days: Albania, Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and 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 and 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 and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.
• 180 days: Canada.
• Special cases: Kazakhstan citizens can stay up to 30 days per entry, not exceeding 60 days in 180 days; Russian citizens may stay 60 days per entry, up to 90 days within 180 days.
How much do Japanese citizens pay for a K-ETA application?
A K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW (approximately $9-10 USD) per applicant. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of approval status.
What’s required for Japanese when filling out the K-ETA?
• Valid passport: Ensure it’s valid for at least six months.
• Email address: Required to receive K-ETA status and updates.
• Face photo: Upload a suitable image on the K-ETA website or app.
• Credit or debit card: Necessary to pay the application fee.
How do citizens from Japan register for a K-ETA?
1. Complete the Application: Submit personal and travel details on the official K-ETA site or app.
2. Upload Required Documents: Include a passport photo and personal details.
3. Payment: Pay the processing fee online.
4. Wait for Approval: Processing takes approximately 24 hours, granting a two-year multiple-entry K-ETA.
Does South Korea mandate health insurance for Japanese citizens?
Though health insurance is not mandatory, it’s advisable for travelers. This coverage ensures access to medical services in case of illness or emergencies in South Korea.
What’s worth seeing in South Korea for travelers from Japan?
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace – A grand Joseon dynasty palace, offering cultural experiences.
2. Bukchon Hanok Village – Wander among traditional Korean houses for an authentic experience.
3. Jeju Island – Known for its serene beaches, lush landscapes, and volcanic features.
4. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) – A unique site to learn about Korea’s history.
5. Namsan Seoul Tower – A popular attraction for panoramic views of the city.
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.