The standard K-ETA fee is 10,000 KRW per person with no age or group discounts. UK passport holders are exempt until 31 December 2026; voluntary applications cost £6.05-£6.20 total including processing and FX fees. K-ETA is a travel authorisation, not a visa, and does not guarantee entry to South Korea. Always apply directly through the government portal at k-eta.go.kr to avoid third-party scam sites charging inflated fees.
K-ETA cost in 2026: The standard K-ETA application fee is 10,000 KRW per person, approximately £6.05-£6.20 in GBP for UK travellers, including the ~3% payment processing fee and typical UK bank FX surcharge. There is no group discount, no child or senior reduction, and the fee is non-refundable. UK citizens are exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026.
K-ETA Cost in 2026: Base Fees, GBP & USD Conversion
The flat 10,000 KRW per person totals ~£6.05-£6.20 or $7-$8 after surcharges, and covers 3 years of unlimited entries. For comparison, the US ESTA costs $21 and the Australia ETA approximately AUD $20, making K-ETA the most affordable electronic travel authorisation among the three.
| Cost Stage | KRW | GBP (Sept 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Base application fee | 10,000 KRW | ~£5.50-£6.00 |
| Online payment processing fee (~3%) | +300 KRW | ~£5.85-£6.00 |
| UK bank FX surcharge (2.75-3.00%) | – | ~£6.05-£6.20 total |
| USD equivalent (total) | 10,300 KRW | ~$7-$8 |
The ~3% payment processing fee is added at checkout; UK banks charge 2.75-3.00% foreign transaction fee on top. All KRW-to-GBP conversions use the Bank of Korea daily average rate from 1 September 2026 (1 GBP = 1,667 KRW). Check the live KRW/GBP rate at before applying, as currency fluctuations affect the final amount.
K-ETA Fees for Children, Seniors & Group Pricing
The K-ETA fee structure charges a flat 10,000 KRW per person regardless of age, with no group discounts for families or travel parties. Unlike airlines offering child fares, K-ETA treats all applicants equally.
FAQ Q55/Q58 on the k-eta.go.kr portal confirm that age is not an exemption criterion. Children under 18 and seniors over 65 pay the same 10,000 KRW as adults aged 18-64. Parents applying on behalf of minors must remit the full fee per child.
| Age Group | Fee Status | Exemption | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 10,000 KRW | None | Parent or guardian pays per child |
| 18-64 | 10,000 KRW | None | Standard adult fee |
| Over 65 | 10,000 KRW | None | No senior concession |
No group discount exists within the K-ETA cost framework. The portal permits batch submission of up to 50 applications simultaneously, but this saves time rather than money. Each traveller is charged 10,000 KRW individually. A family of four pays 40,000 KRW in base fees.
| Group Size | Total KRW | Total USD | Total GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (solo) | 10,000 | $7-$8 | £6.05-£6.20 |
| 2 (couple) | 20,000 | $14-$16 | £12.10-£12.40 |
| 4 (family) | 40,000 | $28-$32 | £24-£25 |
| 10 (group) | 100,000 | $70-$80 | £60.50-£62.00 |
Hidden K-ETA Costs to Watch For in 2026
Beyond the 10,000 KRW base fee, UK travellers face payment gateway surcharges, bank FX fees, and Dynamic Currency Conversion markups. The true K-ETA cost ranges from ~£6.05 (best case) to ~£6.50+ (worst case with DCC).
Payment Processing Fees Explained
The K-ETA cost structure includes an online payment processing fee of approximately 3% charged separately at checkout on top of the 10,000 KRW base. This fee is mandatory and applies to every transaction.
Currency Conversion Fees from Your UK Bank
UK banks typically charge 2.75-3.00% foreign transaction fee on overseas card payments. Low-fee alternatives include Monzo, Starling, and Chase UK, which may offer 0% FX rates. Traditional banks like HSBC, Barclays, and Lloyds typically charge the full surcharge. Check your card’s fee schedule before applying.
Dynamic Currency Conversion: Pay in KRW, Not GBP
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) adds a 3-7% markup over the real exchange rate if the checkout page offers to bill you in GBP rather than KRW. Always select “Pay in KRW” to avoid this hidden surcharge.
Temporary Pending Charges After a Failed Payment
3-D Secure (3DS) pre-authorisation may hold funds even if the transaction fails. This is not a double charge. When I applied for K-ETA in March 2026, my UK debit card triggered a 3DS error; after contacting my card issuer, the pending hold of 10,300 KRW was released within 4 business days. Enable overseas payments 48 hours before applying to avoid this issue.
Government K-ETA Application Fee vs Third-Party Agent Charges
Third-party agents charge £15-£50+ for submitting the same form on k-eta.go.kr. gov.uk warns these services are “generally scams.” The only legitimate application channel is www.k-eta.go.kr or the “K-ETA” mobile app on Google Play. These agents use the exact same government portal; you pay a markup for a service you can complete yourself in approximately 10 minutes.
How to identify fake sites: incorrect URLs, missing “https,” and requests for unnecessary personal data. The UK FCDO explicitly warns against third-party K-ETA services at gov.uk.
Do UK Citizens Need to Pay for K-ETA in 2026?
The K-ETA cost becomes optional for British passport holders thanks to a temporary exemption valid until 31 December 2026, confirmed by gov.uk and the k-eta.go.kr notice board (published 2026-03-20). With an approved K-ETA, travellers are exempt from submitting the physical arrival card when entering South Korea. The free e-Arrival card alternative remains available for those who skip voluntary K-ETA application.
- Skip the physical arrival card queue at immigration
- Faster entry processing and arrival card exemption
- Voluntary K-ETA cost of ~£6.05-£6.20
- Budget-conscious travellers can skip it and submit the free e-Arrival card instead
K-ETA Refund Policy, Free Updates & Reapplication Triggers
The K-ETA fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, regardless of whether the application is approved or rejected. No formal appeal process exists. If denied, the only recourse is a new application with a new 10,000 KRW fee. Inquiries must be submitted via the online “Ask Us” board at k-eta.go.kr. Telephone consultations are not provided in principle. The K-ETA Center telephone number is 02-2666-0463; the Immigration Contact Center can be reached at 1345 (domestic) or +82-2-1345 (international).
| Free Update (no fee) | New Application + 10,000 KRW |
|---|---|
| Travel dates, accommodation address, purpose of visit, contact information, accompanying persons | Passport reissued, criminal record change, infectious disease information change |
Free edits are submitted through the “Update Travel Information” page on the portal at no cost.
Payment Methods & Troubleshooting Failed K-ETA Payments
Accepted payment methods for the K-ETA cost include Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay, and Alipay+. The K-ETA cost requires card issuers to permit overseas transactions; a blocked international payment triggers a 3-D Secure (3DS) error. When a 3DS pre-authorisation fails, the temporary pending charge typically releases within 3 to 5 business days. Contact the card issuer directly with the transaction reference if the hold persists.
Processing takes up to 72 hours; no expedited option exists. Applications are processed first-come, first-served. Automated approval for straightforward applications generally occurs within 30 minutes; manual review may take up to 24 hours. For a detailed breakdown of K-ETA processing times and when to apply before your flight, see our dedicated guide.
K-ETA Cost FAQ
How much does K-ETA cost in GBP for a UK traveller in 2026?
UK travellers pay approximately £6.05 to £6.20 total in GBP, including the base 10,000 KRW fee, the ~3% processing fee, and typical UK bank FX surcharge of 2.75-3.00%. Check the live exchange rate before applying.
Is K-ETA free for children under 18?
No child discount exists. Every applicant regardless of age pays the standard 10,000 KRW fee. FAQ Q55 on k-eta.go.kr confirms age is not an exemption criterion.
Do seniors over 65 get a reduced K-ETA fee?
No senior concession exists. The 10,000 KRW charge applies equally to all age groups. FAQ Q58 confirms the same rule for seniors.
Is there a group discount for family K-ETA applications?
No group discount exists. Each applicant pays 10,000 KRW individually. A family of four pays 40,000 KRW in total base fees.
Can I get a K-ETA refund if my application is rejected?
No, the K-ETA fee is strictly non-refundable under all circumstances. If denied, your only recourse is a new application and a new 10,000 KRW fee. Contact the K-ETA Center via the online Ask Us board.
Is there an urgent or expedited K-ETA processing option?
No expedited option exists. All applications are processed first-come, first-served within 72 hours. You cannot pay extra to jump the queue.
Which payment methods are accepted for K-ETA?
Accepted methods include Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay, and Alipay+. Ensure your card issuer has not blocked overseas payments.
Where can I apply for K-ETA online to avoid scams?
Apply only through the government portal at www.k-eta.go.kr or use the K-ETA mobile app. Third-party sites charge £15 to £50+ for the same form. gov.uk warns these services are “generally scams.”
How long is K-ETA valid, and does the cost cover multiple entries?
K-ETA is valid for 3 years from approval, or until your passport expires. The single 10,000 KRW fee covers unlimited multiple entries within this validity period.
Can I pay for K-ETA with a UK debit card?
Yes, provided it supports overseas transactions and your bank has not blocked international payments. Accepted networks include Visa and Mastercard.
How much does K-ETA cost in total for a family of four in GBP?
A family of four pays approximately £24 to £25 total (4 x £6.05-£6.20), including processing fees and typical UK bank FX surcharges.
Last reviewed: 15 September 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always verify current fees on the k-eta.go.kr portal before applying.
