K-ETA South Korea: What It Is, Who Needs It and How to Check Your Eligibility in 2026

K-ETA South Korea is a mandatory digital pre-entry permit for nationals of 112 visa-free countries visiting for short-term stays. British citizens are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026. All other eligible travellers must apply online at k-eta.go.kr before departure.

This pre-screening layer for tourism, business, or transit is managed by the Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice. K-ETA is not a visa but a mandatory requirement for boarding your flight or ship.

While the temporary exemption for 22 designated countries, including the United Kingdom, remains active until the end of 2026, travellers must still meet other South Korea entry requirements. These include presenting a valid passport and potentially completing the e-Arrival Card or Q-Code health declaration, depending on your travel circumstances.

This is an independent travel information guide, not an official government source. Entry rules may change. Always verify with the official K-ETA portal at k-eta.go.kr and UK government travel advice (gov.uk) before departure. Information last verified on 15 September 2026.

What Is K-ETA and How Does It Work in 2026?

K-ETA is a mandatory digital pre-screening system that visa-free nationals must complete online before boarding any flight or ship to South Korea. The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization is issued by the Korea Immigration Service (Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea) for nationals of 112 visa-free countries visiting for short-term tourism, business, or transit.

Once approved, K-ETA is valid for 3 years from the date of approval or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first, and permits multiple entries during that period. Applications are submitted online at k-eta.go.kr, with standard processing typically completed within 72 hours.

South Korea also operates two separate digital systems: the e-Arrival Card (a digital arrival declaration) and Q-Code (a quarantine health declaration). Holding a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization does not exempt travellers from these systems, which serve different functions.

K-ETA Validity, Multiple Entries and Passport Rules

K-ETA is valid for 3 years from approval or until the passport expires, permitting unlimited entries during that period.

• 3-year validity: K-ETA remains valid for 3 years from the date of approval or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first.
• Multiple entries: K-ETA allows multiple entries into South Korea during the validity period, with no limit on the number of trips.
• Ordinary passport required: Applicants must hold an ordinary passport with an expiry date after the intended departure from South Korea; diplomatic and official passport holders are exempt.
• Biographic page scan: A colour scan or photo of the passport biographic page must be uploaded during the online application.
• Photo specifications: The application photo must be taken within the last 6 months, measure 3.5 × 4.5 cm, feature a white background, be in colour, and show a front-facing headshot with no glasses or other accessories; hijab is permitted.
• Passport renewal invalidates K-ETA: If the passport linked to an approved K-ETA is replaced, a new application must be submitted using the new passport details.

Who Needs a K-ETA to Enter South Korea in 2026?

K-ETA is required for nationals of 112 visa-free countries before departure, but final admission rests with the immigration officer at the port of entry.

K-ETA applies to 112 visa-free nationalities: 66 under the Visa-Waiver (B-1) and 46 under Designated Visa-Free Entry (B-2). Approved K-ETA is mandatory for boarding, but does not guarantee entry; the final decision rests with the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Three assessment outcomes are possible. “OK” means the traveller may board and is exempt from submitting an e-Arrival Card. “Selectee” permits boarding but requires an in-depth interview on arrival. “Not OK” denies boarding entirely.

K-ETA does not apply to holders of diplomatic or official passports, holders of valid Korean visas, or residents returning with re-entry permits. Certain nationalities and age categories are also exempt under temporary measures in place during 2026.

K-ETA Exemptions in 2026: Countries, Ages and Special Categories

Citizens of 22 countries including the UK are exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026, alongside travellers aged under 17 or 65 and over.

K-ETA does not apply to nationals of 22 designated countries and regions during a temporary exemption period running through 31 December 2026. British nationals travelling visa-free are confirmed exempt under this scheme, alongside citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Singapore and Macau. The full 22-country exemption list should be verified against the K-ETA portal at k-eta.go.kr before travel, as country designations may change.

Separately, K-ETA exemptions apply by age category. Since 3 July 2023, travellers aged 17 and under and those aged 65 years or above have not been required to obtain K-ETA before departure. Holders of diplomatic or official government-issued passports are also exempt, as are crew members operating international routes into South Korea.

Exemption from K-ETA does not remove other entry obligations. British visitors must still satisfy passport validity rules, submit an e-Arrival Card unless covered by a separate exemption, and comply with Q-Code health screening requirements where applicable.

UK Citizens Travelling to South Korea in 2026: Entry Pathway

British passport holders are currently exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026 and can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.

K-ETA vs e-Arrival Card vs Q-Code: Which Digital Systems Do You Need?

K-ETA, the e-Arrival Card, and Q-Code are three separate South Korean digital entry systems – having one does not exempt travellers from the others.

K-ETA approval with OK or Selectee status exempts the holder from submitting an e-Arrival Card, but does not replace Q-Code. Travellers arriving from the United Kingdom must still complete Q-Code or submit a paper health questionnaire on arrival, with non-compliance carrying a fine of up to KRW 10 million. The e-Arrival Card is submitted at e-arrivalcard.go.kr, while K-ETA applications are processed through k-eta.go.kr.

Applying as a Dual National: Which Passport Should You Use?

Apply using the passport you will present at the Korean border – K-ETA is linked to one passport number and both documents must match.

K-ETA is tied to a single passport number, so the travel document used in the application must be the same one shown at airline check-in and Korean border control. If one of your passports qualifies for the temporary K-ETA exemption and the other does not, submit a K-ETA application using the passport that requires authorisation, then travel on that document.

Carry both passports when travelling with dual nationality. If you hold Korean dual nationality, consult the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London for guidance on entry obligations, as K-ETA rules may not apply in the standard way.

K-ETA Cost, Processing Time and Payment Methods

K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 (approximately £6), is non-refundable regardless of outcome, and is typically processed within 72 hours.

The K-ETA application fee is strictly non-refundable whether the assessment result is “OK,” “Selectee,” or “Not OK.” Applicants pay the KRW 10,000 charge during the online process at k-eta.go.kr, and no refund mechanism exists for denied or duplicate submissions.

K-ETA applications are generally processed within 72 hours. A fast-track outcome can be issued within 30 minutes when no issues are flagged, though cases requiring further review may take up to 24 hours. Travellers are advised to apply at least 72 hours before departure.

K-ETA accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and American Express. If payment fails, contact your bank to enable 3-D Secure authentication and international transactions.

How to Apply for K-ETA South Korea Online – Step by Step

K-ETA applications are submitted exclusively at k-eta.go.kr. For a complete walkthrough, read our step-by-step K-ETA application guide. Third-party sites charging inflated fees are scams, according to UK government travel advice (gov.uk).

Korean border control generally accepts K-ETA approval shown on a mobile device, though carrying a printed copy is strongly recommended. Member accounts on the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization portal allow viewing all application details at once.

Understanding Your K-ETA Assessment Result and Denial Recovery

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) applications receive one of three outcomes, delivered by email from the Korea Immigration Service. Each result carries distinct consequences for your ability to travel to South Korea in 2026.

“OK” means you are approved to board your flight or vessel. Travellers with this outcome are also exempt from submitting the e-Arrival Card, since their pre-screening has already cleared them through that step.

“Selectee” means you may still board, but you will undergo an in-depth interview with an immigration officer at the port of entry before a final admission decision is made. Expect additional questioning about your travel purpose, accommodation, return ticket, and financial means, typically lasting 15-45 minutes. Selectee-status holders are likewise exempt from the e-Arrival Card.

“Not OK” means you cannot board any flight or ship bound for South Korea. The K-ETA system does not provide an administrative appeal process for denied applications. The fallback pathway is to apply for a standard Korean visa – C-3-1 for tourism or C-3-4 for business – through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London, referenced as the contact point for UK entry-requirement inquiries by gov.uk.

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