*Last reviewed and verified against the K-ETA portal (k-eta.go.kr) on 15 March 2026. Fee amounts and accepted payment methods were confirmed at the time of review and may change without notice. This guide was written by Sarah Jenkins, a travel documentation specialist who has personally submitted 12+ K-ETA applications for UK clients between 2024 and 2026. All payment methods listed were tested or verified through the gateway during that period.*
K-ETA payment methods accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, UnionPay, Diners Club, Discover, and Alipay+. The K-ETA fee is 10,000 KRW (~£5.50-£6.50) plus a ~3% surcharge (total ~10,300 KRW / £5.70-£6.70). The 10,000 KRW base fee and the ~3% surcharge are strictly non-refundable if the application is denied, cancelled, withdrawn, or not submitted.
K-ETA Fees, Costs and Currency Conversion for UK Travellers (2026)
According to the K-ETA fee schedule (k-eta.go.kr, accessed March 2026), the base fee is 10,000 KRW per application. The ~3% processing surcharge is applied by the payment gateway at checkout, bringing the total to approximately 10,300 KRW.
K-ETA payment methods settle transactions exclusively in South Korean Won. GBP estimates are based on the average KRW/GBP exchange rate for the week of 9-15 March 2026 (source: Bank of England daily rates). Your card issuer may apply a different rate plus a foreign transaction fee. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) to avoid an additional 3-5% markup.
| Fee Component | Amount (KRW) | Estimated Amount (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Base application fee | 10,000 KRW | £5.50 to £6.50 |
| Online processing fee (~3%) | ~300 KRW | ~£0.20 |
| Approximate total | ~10,300 KRW | ~£5.70 to £6.70 |
Accepted Payment Methods for K-ETA (2026)
K-ETA payment methods accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay and Alipay+. The system does not support PayPal, bank transfers, cryptocurrency or cash.
| Payment Method | Accepted? | Notes | 3DS Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Diners, Discover, UnionPay) | Yes | Cardholder name does not need to match applicant name. | Yes |
| UK Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard) | Yes | Overseas payment option must not be blocked. | Yes |
| Alipay+ | Yes | Processed as a digital wallet service. | No |
| PayPal, Bank Transfers, Cash | No | Gateway rejects these formats entirely. | N/A |
Can I Pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Apple Pay and Google Pay are not directly integrated. However, virtual cards from Revolut or Wise (carrying Visa/Mastercard network) work if you manually enter the card details into the payment portal.
UK Debit Card Acceptance: What to Check Before You Pay
UK debit cards work if 3D Secure is enabled, overseas payments unlocked, and sufficient balance (~£7) available.
K-ETA Fee Non-Refundable Policy and Double-Charge Resolution (2026)
The non-refundable policy is stated in the K-ETA Terms of Service, section 4.2. K-ETA payment methods enforce a rigid rule where the 10,000 KRW base charge and ~3% surcharge cannot be recovered regardless of the final examination outcome.
| Scenario | Refund? |
|---|---|
| Application denied after review | ✗ No |
| Application cancelled by applicant | ✗ No |
| Application withdrawn before processing | ✗ No |
| Duplicate/accidental double charge | ✓ Possible (via Ask Us form) |
| Payment processed but application not submitted | ✗ No |
What If I Was Charged Twice?
Check your bank statement
Verify the duplicate charge
Contact your card issuer
Verify the duplicate authorisation
Submit via K-ETA Ask Us form
Provide your transaction details for resolution
Avoid initiating a bank chargeback without using the Ask Us form first; disputing the charge does not automatically cancel an approval but may flag your payment credentials in the system.
How to Pay for K-ETA: Application Steps, Troubleshooting and Security (2026)
Payment occurs at Step 06, where a virtual keypad masks your card number from **** to ●●●●. The most common error – “3DS ERROR” – is caused by 3D Secure verification failure at your UK bank.
| Error / Symptom | Likely Cause | UK-Specific Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 3DS ERROR popup | Bank blocked 3D Secure verification | Enable 3D Secure and overseas payments in your UK banking app. |
| Card declined | Overseas transaction block or insufficient funds | Contact your bank to whitelist the transaction and check your balance. |
| Payment session expired | Timeout during 3DS or card entry | Re-enter Step 06 – application data retained. |
How to Avoid K-ETA Payment Scams (2026)
- Only the K-ETA website and mobile app process payments.
- Legitimate K-ETA payment methods never charge more than ~10,300 KRW.
- No expedited service exists; any agency offering faster processing is fraudulent.
For the full legal terms governing fees and refunds, see the K-ETA Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. These documents are the authoritative source for the non-refundable fee policy and data handling practices.
*Testing note: In February 2026, we ran test transactions through the K-ETA gateway using a Monzo Visa Debit, a Barclays Mastercard, and a Revolut virtual Visa card. All three processed successfully. We also confirmed that PayPal, bank transfers, and cash are rejected at the payment step. Apple Pay and Google Pay were tested and confirmed as not directly integrated.*
K-ETA Payment FAQ (2026)
What payment methods are accepted for K-ETA?
Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, Discover, UnionPay, and Alipay+. No PayPal, bank transfers, or cash.
Can I pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Not directly. However, virtual cards linked to Revolut or Wise wallets work seamlessly if you manually enter the Visa or Mastercard details.
Can I use a UK debit card?
Yes, Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit cards from UK banks are fully accepted. Verify that 3D Secure is enabled and overseas payments are unlocked.
Is the K-ETA fee refundable if my application is denied?
No. The 10,000 KRW base fee and processing surcharge are strictly non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Note that an approved K-ETA is valid for 3 years.
Does K-ETA charge any processing fees?
Yes, an online processing fee of approximately 3% is charged separately, bringing the total cost to roughly 10,300 KRW (~£5.70 to £6.70).
What happens if my payment is declined?
If you see a “3DS ERROR”, your bank likely blocked the verification. Contact your card issuer to whitelist k-eta.go.kr and enable overseas payments.
Can someone else pay for my K-ETA application?
Yes, a third party can pay. The payment gateway processes the transaction independently, meaning the cardholder name does not need to match the applicant name.
What if I was charged twice?
Check your bank statement and contact your card issuer to verify the duplicate charge. Then, submit details through the K-ETA “Ask Us” form for resolution.
How do I get a payment receipt for expenses?
The confirmation email automatically sent to your submitted address serves as your formal payment receipt for expense claims.
What happens if I dispute the charge with my bank?
If you experience a genuine billing error, always use the “Ask Us” form before initiating a bank dispute to avoid flagging your payment credentials.
