Last updated: September 2026. Australian citizens are temporarily exempt from K-ETA for South Korea until 31 December 2026. During this period, you must complete the free e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival. From 1 January 2027, the standard K-ETA requirement returns: KRW 10,000 fee, up to 72-hour processing, 3-year validity.
Do Australians Need K-ETA for South Korea in 2026?
Australian citizens are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026 and do not need to apply before travelling.
The suspension permits visa-free entry for tourism up to 90 days. During the exemption, travellers must complete the free e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival. Failure to submit may lead to entry denial. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (smartraveller.gov.au, last updated 10 August 2026) confirms this suspension and advises completing the e-Arrival Card before boarding.
1 April 2023
K-ETA suspended for Australian citizens
31 December 2026
Temporary exemption period ends
1 January 2027
Standard K-ETA requirement resumes
e-Arrival Card for K-ETA-Exempt Australian Travellers
K-ETA-exempt Australian travellers must complete the free e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival in South Korea.
During the exemption, Australian passport holders must submit the e-Arrival Card instead of K-ETA. The form is free of charge and replaces the paper arrival card.
Access the e-Arrival Card
Via the Korean immigration portal within 3 days of your arrival date
Enter your details
Passport details, travel itinerary, accommodation address, and contact information
Review and submit
Check all fields for accuracy, use correct date format, then submit online
Common mistakes include wrong date format and missing accommodation fields. Failure to submit may lead to entry denial at the port of entry.
K-ETA Application Requirements for Australian Citizens (From 2027 Onwards)
From 1 January 2027, Australian citizens need a valid passport, digital photo, email address, and travel details to apply for K-ETA.
The K-ETA for Australian citizens requires the following:
- Passport validity: valid beyond your date of departure from South Korea (tourism stays up to 90 days). Long-term visa holders need at least 6 months validity from arrival.
- Email address: required to receive the verification link and approval notification.
- Digital photo: passport-style photo in JPG or PNG format. Non-compliant photos are a leading cause of delays.
- Travel information: purpose of entry, address of stay, contact details, expected arrival/departure dates, accompanying persons.
- Age exemptions: travellers under 18 and over 65 are permanently exempt from K-ETA.
Accepted payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB, with 3-D Secure authentication required. Batch applications are supported for families and groups. Border officers may request proof of financial sufficiency at entry.
K-ETA Fees, Payment Methods, and Processing Times
K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 (approximately USD 7-8), is non-refundable, and requires online payment with a 3-D Secure-enabled card.
Fee: KRW 10,000 (approx. USD 7-8), non-refundable, payable online by card. A separate online payment fee may apply.
Processing: Generally within 72 hours, reviewed in order received. During high volume, processing may exceed 72 hours. No expedited service is available. Apply via the K-ETA portal at k-eta.go.kr before boarding your flight or ship.
K-ETA for Australian citizens does not guarantee entry. The final decision rests with the Korea Immigration Service officer at the port of entry.
K-ETA Validity, Multiple Entries, and Travel Updates
An approved K-ETA is valid for 3 years with multiple entries but expires early if the holder’s passport expires first.
The K-ETA for Australian citizens remains valid for 3 years and permits multiple entries. If the passport expires in less than 3 years, K-ETA validity is limited to the passport’s expiry date. Prior to 3 July 2023, validity was 2 years.
Approved holders must reapply when their passport is reissued or if changes occur to their criminal record or infectious disease information. If travel information changes after obtaining K-ETA, update it via the Update Travel Information page on k-eta.go.kr, including purpose of entry, address, contact, dates, and accompanying persons. Failure to update may result in entry denial.
K-ETA for Australians vs British Citizens
Both Australian and British passport holders share the same K-ETA exemption through 31 December 2026 but differ in consular contacts.
| Requirement | Australian Citizens | British Citizens |
|---|---|---|
| K-ETA exemption | Until 31 Dec 2026 | Until 31 Dec 2026 |
| e-Arrival Card | Mandatory (free, 72 hrs before arrival) | Mandatory (free, 72 hrs before arrival) |
| Consular contact | Embassy of ROK in Australia, Level 3/42 Macquarie St, Barton ACT 2600. Tel: +61-2-6270-4100 | Embassy of ROK in the UK |
| Travel advisory | smartraveller.gov.au | gov.uk |
| Health entry | Q-Code or paper questionnaire if symptomatic | Quarantine Inspection Required Area classification |
The K-ETA for Australian citizens and British citizens follows the same exemption timeline. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Australia operates Monday to Friday, 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00, and closes on 25 and 26 December.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I check my K-ETA status without the confirmation email?
Yes. Retrieve your K-ETA status using your passport number and date of birth via the K-ETA website. An official notice published 13 March 2026 addresses Gmail delivery delays affecting approval notifications.
Does K-ETA guarantee entry into South Korea?
No. An approved K-ETA does not guarantee entry. The final decision rests solely with the Korea Immigration Service officer at the port of entry.
Do Australian children need a separate K-ETA application?
No. Children under 18 are permanently exempt from K-ETA regardless of the temporary policy. The same exemption applies to travellers over 65.
Do I need K-ETA to transit through Seoul Incheon Airport?
No. Passengers remaining in the international transit area without passing through immigration control, collecting baggage, or leaving the airport do not require K-ETA or an e-Arrival Card. Standard entry requirements apply only if you exit the transit area.
What if my K-ETA application is denied?
The fee of KRW 10,000 is non-refundable. Common denial reasons include mismatched passport details, unclear photo uploads, or incomplete health declarations. Reapply after correcting the errors.
Are there fake K-ETA websites I should avoid?
Yes. Only use the official K-ETA portal at k-eta.go.kr. Third-party services charge extra fees and are not endorsed by the Korean government.
Can I extend my 90-day visa-free stay in South Korea?
Extension is possible only under limited circumstances by applying at a local Korean immigration office. Overstay penalties are severe. Consult the Korea Immigration Service before your permitted stay expires.
Arriving by cruise ship to South Korea, do I need K-ETA?
Cruise passengers at ports such as Busan, Incheon, and Jeju must follow port-specific entry procedures. Verify exact requirements with your cruise line before departure.
I’m a dual Australian-South Korean citizen, which passport do I use?
South Korean law requires dual nationals to enter and exit using their South Korean passport. Present your Australian passport when checking in for your flight and your South Korean passport upon arrival in Korea.
Do I need travel insurance for South Korea?
Travel insurance is not legally required for entry, but Smartraveller advises comprehensive coverage for all travellers to South Korea.
Sources & Updates: This article was last verified against the official K-ETA portal (k-eta.go.kr), the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Australia (mofa.go.kr), and Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au, last updated 10 August 2026) in September 2026. We will review it again by December 2026.
