Do US citizens need a visa for South Korea?
No, a visa is not required, but US citizens must obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization). South Korea has visa waiver agreements with over 100 countries, allowing most travelers to enter for 30 to 180 days without a visa. However, visitors from these countries must register for the K-ETA before arrival.
What is K-ETA for Americans?
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) allows citizens from specific countries to visit South Korea for tourism, business, or short-term stays without needing a traditional visa. Applicants must complete K-ETA registration no later than 72 hours before departure.
Allowed period of stay in South Korea for US citizens
• Citizens from 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, and Tuvalu may stay in South Korea for up to 30 days.
• For 60 days, Lesotho citizens are permitted.
• For a 90-day stay, citizens from 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, and Venezuela are eligible.
• Canadian citizens can stay for 180 days.
• Special cases include Kazakhstan citizens, allowed 30 consecutive days, not exceeding 60 days within 180 days, and Russia citizens, allowed 60 consecutive days, not exceeding 90 days within 180 days.
Items to prepare for the K-ETA application for Americans
• Valid passport: Ensure at least six months of validity.
• Email address: Required for application updates and approval notifications.
• Face image photo: Use a file if applying on a computer, or take a photo directly on mobile.
• Credit or debit card: The application fee is 10,000 KRW per person.
How to apply for K-ETA for citizens from USA?
1. Online Application: Fill out the form on the K-ETA website or K-ETA mobile app.
2. Document Submission: Upload passport information and a photo.
3. Payment: Complete payment for the application fee.
4. Approval: Processing takes about 24 hours; once approved, K-ETA is valid for multiple entries over two years.
What is the cost of K-ETA for Americans?
The K-ETA application fee is 10,000 KRW (approximately USD $9-10) per person. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid with a valid credit or debit card during the application process.
Amazing must-see places in South Korea that are worth visiting for citizens from USA
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace – The main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, known for its stunning architecture and cultural performances. A must-see for history enthusiasts.
2. Bukchon Hanok Village – A traditional Korean village with preserved houses (hanoks), offering a glimpse into Seoul’s past and fantastic photo spots.
3. Jeju Island – Known as South Korea’s “Hawaii,” this volcanic island has beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and hiking trails, perfect for nature lovers.
4. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) – A unique experience where you can glimpse North Korea and learn about the history and tension between the two Koreas.
5. Namsan Seoul Tower – A scenic tower on Mt. Namsan, offering panoramic views of Seoul, especially beautiful at sunset.
Health insurance requirements for US citizens
For your travel to South Korea, you may need health insurance. Having insurance coverage can be crucial for ensuring access to medical services in the event of illness, accidents, or emergencies during your trip.
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.