Do I need both K-ETA and an e-Arrival Card?

A valid K-ETA exempts you from the e-Arrival Card. The temporary K-ETA exemption for eligible passport holders including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan lasts through December 31, 2026 (Korea time); travelers using it without a valid K-ETA must submit an e-Arrival Card. As of October 2026, rules for 2027 onward have not been announced.

When can I submit, and what if I try too early?

Submission opens only 3 days before arrival (within 72 hours); you cannot submit earlier. Complete it 1–2 days before departure and screenshot the completion screen.

What if I need to correct my details?

Follow the lookup and editing instructions on e-arrivalcard.go.kr and check your passport, flight and accommodation details.

How can a family submit together?

After entering the first traveler, use Add Applicant to add each companion before submitting together. Each person needs their own passport details entered.

What happens after landing at Gimhae Airport?

Follow Arrival／Immigration signs, clear immigration, collect checked luggage at Baggage Claim, and clear customs to reach the arrivals hall. Have your passport and saved completion screen available and follow staff instructions.

Can I wait and fill out a paper card at the airport?

If you need an e-Arrival Card, complete it before departure within the submission window. Do not assume a paper form will be available at the airport; follow official and airport instructions for procedures on arrival.

Korea e-Arrival Card 2026: How to Apply (Step-by-Step) + K-ETA Rules

Q: Is the e-Arrival Card free?

Yes. Submission is free on the official site, e-arrivalcard.go.kr.

How to submit Korea’s free e-Arrival Card within 3 days (72 hours) of arrival, understand the K-ETA exemption, add companions, and navigate immigration and baggage claim at Busan’s Gimhae Airport.

The e-Arrival Card is Korea’s online arrival declaration. This guide covers when to submit it, how it differs from K-ETA, how to add companions, and what happens after landing at Busan’s Gimhae Airport.

⚡ 30-second summary: Submission opens only 3 days before arrival (within 72 hours) → you cannot submit too early. Complete it 1–2 days before departure and screenshot the completion screen. The official site is e-arrivalcard.go.kr, and submission is free. Holders of a valid K-ETA do not need an e-Arrival Card.

Two more things not to miss (save this for the day before you fly):

After landing: Gimhae Airport to central Busan, light rail vs airport bus vs taxi
Shopping: Busan tax refund guide, take the instant in-store refund when you can

What is the e-Arrival Card?

The e-Arrival Card is Korea’s electronic arrival declaration, covering your passport, flight, travel dates and accommodation in Korea. Submission is free on the official site, e-arrivalcard.go.kr.

Who needs it — and how it differs from K-ETA

The e-Arrival Card is an arrival declaration; K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization. If you hold a valid K-ETA, you do not need an e-Arrival Card.

	e-Arrival Card	K-ETA
What it is	Online arrival declaration	Pre-travel entry authorization (like US ESTA)
Cost	Free	~10,000 KRW + fee
When	From 72h before arrival	At least 72h before departure
Official site	e-arrivalcard.go.kr	k-eta.go.kr
Who files	Travelers without a valid K-ETA	Depends on nationality

The temporary K-ETA exemption for eligible passport holders, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, runs through December 31, 2026 (Korea time). Travelers using this exemption without a valid K-ETA must submit an e-Arrival Card. As of October 2026, K-ETA rules for 2027 onward have not been announced. See K-ETA for travel in 2027.

How to apply for the e-Arrival Card, step by step

Open the official site, e-arrivalcard.go.kr. Submission is free; check the address first.
Enter passport details. Names, passport numbers, nationalities and dates of birth must match each passport.
Enter accommodation details in Korea. Have the hotel or guesthouse name, address and phone number ready. Not booked yet? See where to stay in Busan.
Enter flight and travel details. Check the flight number and arrival and departure dates, and complete the purpose of travel, occupation and email fields.
Add companions. After entering the first traveler, do not submit yet: use “Add Applicant” to enter each companion’s passport and travel details, then submit together.
Review and submit. Check every traveler’s details and screenshot the completion screen; for corrections, follow the official site’s lookup and editing instructions.

Because you may need to submit or edit this on the go, having mobile data the moment you land is worth setting up ahead of time:

Korea Travel eSIM

Handy for finishing or editing your e-Arrival Card at the airport, plus maps and Kakao T the moment you land. Activates on arrival — no physical SIM swap.

See price & reviews· KKday

See price & reviews· Klook

After you land: what happens at Gimhae Airport (Busan)

After leaving the aircraft, follow Arrival／Immigration signs.
Have your passport ready and keep the saved completion screen available for reference; follow staff instructions at immigration.
After immigration, collect checked luggage at Baggage Claim.
Clear customs to reach the arrivals hall, then arrange currency exchange, a transport card and onward travel.

Options into the city include the Busan–Gimhae Light Rail connecting to the subway, airport buses, taxis and pre-booked transfers. See the Gimhae Airport to downtown Busan guide; a pre-booked transfer may suit families, heavy luggage or late arrivals.

Gimhae Airport Pickup Service

For late arrivals or heavy luggage, a pre-booked pickup is easiest — the driver meets you at the terminal and takes you straight to your hotel.

See price & reviews· KKday

Common mistakes to avoid

Submitting too early. The window opens 3 days before arrival (within 72 hours); earlier submission is unavailable.
Using a paid website by mistake. Submission at e-arrivalcard.go.kr is free.
Confusing a K-ETA exemption with a valid K-ETA. Travelers using the temporary exemption must submit an e-Arrival Card; valid K-ETA holders do not.
Passport mismatches. Check every companion’s name and passport number before submitting.
Forgetting the completion screen. Save a screenshot before heading to the airport.

Before you go: the rest of your Busan prep

Sorting entry is step one. Next, line up the essentials so you’re ready the moment you land: our first-time in Busan guide covers the big picture, essential apps for Busan travel gets your phone ready, and the eSIM & Wi-Fi guide sorts your data. Flying in from Taiwan? See the Kaohsiung to Busan guide.

Immigration rules can change — always confirm the latest details on the official site, e-arrivalcard.go.kr, before you travel. Some links above are affiliate links; booking through them supports Busan Bible at no extra cost to you.

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