Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea in 2027?

Not decided yet. The temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries and regions currently runs to 31 December 2026 (Korea time). As of 11 October 2026, Korea's Ministry of Justice has not announced whether it will be extended into 2027. It has been extended one year at a time so far, but that is no guarantee, so check the official K-ETA website.

What do I need to enter Korea before the end of 2026?

If your passport is on the exempt list and you arrive by 31 December 2026, you don't need a K-ETA. Instead, submit the free e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 72 hours before arrival.

If the exemption ends, how do I get a K-ETA and how much is it?

Apply on the official website k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app. The fee is ₩10,000 and it is valid for 3 years (or until your passport expires, if sooner). The government recommends applying at least 72 hours before boarding; results usually come within 72 hours. Travellers under 17 or aged 65 and over are not required to apply.

I'm flying to Korea in January or February 2027. What should I do now?

You can wait for the official announcement around the end of the year, or apply for a K-ETA voluntarily now. Voluntary applications are allowed during the exemption, cost ₩10,000 and are valid for 3 years, and K-ETA holders don't need to fill in the e-Arrival Card. Issued K-ETAs are not refunded.

Are the K-ETA websites charging higher fees official?

No. The only official channels are k-eta.go.kr and the official app, and the fee is ₩10,000. Sites charging tens of dollars are third-party agents.

Do You Need a K-ETA for Korea in 2027? The Exemption Runs to 31 December 2026

Korea's temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries and regions, including the US, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong, runs to 31 December 2026 (Korea time). As of 11 October 2026 the Ministry of Justice has not announced whether it continues in 2027. What to do now, how to apply if it ends (₩10,000, valid 3 years, apply 72 hours before departure), and what to do if you fly in January or February 2027.

Do you need a K-ETA to visit Korea? Until the end of 2026, travellers from 22 exempt countries and regions don’t. But the exemption only runs to 31 December 2026, and whether it continues in 2027 hasn’t been announced. Here’s what is confirmed, what to do if it ends, and how to plan if you’re flying early next year.

⚡ Quick answer (checked 11 October 2026): The temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries and regions runs to 31 December 2026 (Korea time). During the exemption, submit the free e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival. No decision on 2027 has been announced yet. If it ends, apply at k-eta.go.kr: ₩10,000, valid 3 years, ideally 72 hours before departure. Flying in January or February 2027 and don’t want the risk? You can apply voluntarily now.

What is confirmed now

Item	Details
Exempt passports	22 countries and regions, including the US, UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau
Exemption period	Until 31 December 2026 (Korea time)
What to do during the exemption	Submit the free e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 72 hours before arrival
2027 and after	Not announced by the Ministry of Justice as of 11 October 2026

Korea suspended the K-ETA requirement for these countries and regions from April 2023. The exemption originally ran to the end of 2024 and has since been extended to the end of 2025 and then to the end of 2026. The list published by Korean embassies also includes Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, New Zealand and several other European countries.

For how to fill in the e-Arrival Card and how it differs from the K-ETA, see our e-Arrival Card guide.

Will it be extended for 2027?

There is no official answer yet. Two things are certain:

It has been extended one year at a time: first to the end of 2025, then to the end of 2026.
2027 hasn’t been announced: media expect an announcement around the end of 2026, but there is no fixed date.

If you’re travelling in 2027, plan for both outcomes.

If the exemption ends: K-ETA essentials

Item	Details
Where to apply	Official website k-eta.go.kr or the official “K-ETA” app
Fee	₩10,000
Validity	3 years (or until your passport expires, if sooner)
When to apply	At least 72 hours before boarding (official recommendation)
Processing	Usually within 72 hours; check “Check Application Results” on the website
Not required	Under 17, aged 65 and over, transit passengers and some others

If you hold a valid K-ETA, you don’t need to submit the e-Arrival Card.

Flying in January or February 2027?

Option A: wait for the announcement. Check the K-ETA website around late December. If the exemption ends, apply at least 72 hours before you fly.
Option B: apply voluntarily now. You can apply during the exemption for the same ₩10,000, and it stays valid for 3 years, so it covers future trips too and replaces the e-Arrival Card. The downside: if the exemption is extended again, you’ve paid for something you didn’t strictly need, and issued K-ETAs are not refunded.

Watch out for paid agent sites

Searching “K-ETA application” brings up many sites charging tens of dollars. These are third-party agents, not the government. The only official channels are k-eta.go.kr and the official app, and the fee is ₩10,000. The e-Arrival Card is completely free at e-arrivalcard.go.kr.

Before you fly

Arriving by 31 December 2026: submit the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival.
Arriving in 2027: check the latest notice on the K-ETA website before deciding whether to apply.
Data: set up an eSIM before you land so maps and taxi apps work straight away.
Getting around Busan: see our Busan transportation card guide.

If you are departing from Japan, consult our Japan to Busan: ferry and flight comparison when planning your arrival.

Based on notices from Korea’s Ministry of Justice and Korean embassies (checked 11 October 2026). Rules can change, so confirm on the official K-ETA website before you travel.

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