Last updated: 15 September 2026. This guide was written by travel writers who have personally used the e-Arrival Card system during a visit to South Korea in 2026.
The e-Arrival card South Korea is a free, mandatory digital entry declaration that UK travellers must submit at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 72 hours before arrival. British passport holders are exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026, making this the only required digital entry document. Every traveller, including children and infants, must submit individually. The form takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes, requiring passport details, flight number, accommodation address in Korea, and a contact number. No documents are uploaded; all information is entered manually into the five-step online form.
Travellers holding a valid Korean Residence Card or active K-ETA are exempt from the e-Arrival Card requirement. If you miss the online submission window, paper arrival cards remain available on flights and at airport kiosks.
What Is the e-Arrival Card and How Does It Differ from K-ETA?
The e-Arrival Card is a free arrival declaration; K-ETA costs USD 10 as a pre-travel authorisation; Q-Code is not required for routine entry in 2026 (only if symptomatic on arrival).
Managed by the Ministry of Justice, the portal supports 7 languages and requires submission within 72 hours before arrival. Launched on 24 February 2025, the system replaced the paper arrival form for foreign nationals entering the Republic of Korea. Each submission covers a single entry; a new filing is needed for every subsequent arrival.
| System | Purpose | Cost | Who Needs It | When to Submit | Portal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Arrival Card | Arrival declaration | Free | Travellers without K-ETA or Residence Card | Within 72 h before arrival | e-arrivalcard.go.kr |
| K-ETA | Pre-travel authorisation | USD 10 | K-ETA-required nationals (UK exempt until 31 Dec 2026) | At least 72 h before departure | k-eta.go.kr |
| Q-Code | Health declaration | Free | Not routine in 2026 – only if symptomatic on arrival | N/A | N/A |
UK citizens are K-ETA-exempt until 31 December 2026, making the e-Arrival Card the sole required digital entry document for British passport holders. The portal includes a Navigator tool that assesses whether you need a VISA, K-ETA, Residence Card, or no additional document (documents must be valid upon entry). Third-party K-ETA service sites are generally scams; use only k-eta.go.kr for K-ETA and e-arrivalcard.go.kr for the arrival card.
Who Needs the e-Arrival Card and When to Submit It?
UK nationals are K-ETA-exempt until 31 December 2026, making the e-Arrival Card mandatory for British passport holders entering for short-term tourism or business of up to 90 days visa-free.
- Exempt if you hold a Korean Residence Card (formerly Alien Registration Card)
- Exempt if you hold a valid K-ETA, which serves as pre-clearance
- Exempt if you transit airside without clearing South Korean immigration
- Exempt if you are an airline crew member or accredited diplomat
- Required for all other travellers, including each child and infant filing individually
Submit the e-Arrival Card online at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival. Submissions made earlier than 72 hours before arrival expire. Each submission covers a single entry; a new filing is needed for every subsequent arrival.
How to Fill Out the e-Arrival Card: Step-by-Step
The e-Arrival Card is completed in five steps online at e-arrivalcard.go.kr.
What You Need Before You Start
- Valid passport (the same passport you will present at immigration; must remain valid for your entire stay)
- Passport number, full name, date of birth, nationality
- Flight number and arrival date
- Korean accommodation address (hotel name + address, or residential address)
- Email address (Gmail and may experience delivery delays per March 2026 system notice)
- Contact phone number
- Dual-passport holders: use the passport you will present at the border; if K-ETA was applied with a specific passport, use that same one
Terms and Conditions
Visit the portal, select English, and agree to the terms (requires a valid email address).
Passport Information
Enter your passport number, full name, date of birth, and nationality from the passport you will present at immigration.
Travel Itinerary
Provide your flight number, arrival date, accommodation address in South Korea, and a contact number.
Review
Check all entered data for accuracy.
Submit
Confirm your submission to generate a confirmation screen with an Issue Number.
When I submitted the form, the Issue Number appeared instantly on the confirmation screen. I recommend taking a screenshot as backup. Immigration officers retrieve your e-Arrival Card data by scanning your passport at the desk; a QR code is not required. To edit details after submission, use the Check/Edit service with your Issue Number or email verification. Re-submission is allowed, and immigration uses the most recent valid submission tied to your passport. For group travel (2 to 1,000 travellers), the Group e-Arrival Card portal is available on the same website.
Only use e-arrivalcard.go.kr for submission. Any site requesting payment or credit card details is fraudulent. For technical issues, contact the Korea Immigration Contact Center at 1345 from within South Korea. System maintenance windows are published on the portal (example: 31 August 2026, 10:00 to 16:00 KST).
South Korea Customs Declaration: What You Must Declare
Fines for undeclared dutiable or prohibited goods reach KRW 10 million (~£5,800). Your e-Arrival Card includes customs declaration fields; the thresholds below apply at the border.
| Item | Duty-Free Allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General goods | USD 800 total value | Gifts, electronics, souvenirs |
| Alcohol | 2 bottles (≤1L each, ≤USD 400 total) | Personal use only |
| Tobacco | 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars / 250g tobacco) | Personal use only |
| Perfume | 60 ml | Personal use only |
Your e-Arrival Card data connects to customs. At Incheon, you can use the Korea Customs Service (KCS) app or QR-code scans at electronic gates. Carrying USD 10,000 or equivalent in cash, cheques, or negotiable instruments triggers a mandatory customs declaration.
Prescription medications like codeine painkillers and ADHD stimulants require prior authorisation from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). Carry a doctor’s letter and original prescription packaging; verify requirements on the MFDS portal before travel. Fresh meat, produce, seeds, narcotics, and weapons face strict biosecurity inspection or outright prohibition. E-cigarette and vape liquid quantities are limited and must be declared.
Separately, failing to complete a mandatory health questionnaire when symptomatic on arrival can result in fines up to KRW 10 million.
While we strive for accuracy, this is an unofficial informational guide. Always verify requirements on e-arrivalcard.go.kr or contact the Korea Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
FAQ: e-Arrival Card South Korea
What is the e-Arrival card South Korea?
A free online entry declaration submitted at e-arrivalcard.go.kr, managed by the Ministry of Justice. Takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
Is the e-Arrival Card the same as K-ETA?
No. K-ETA is a pre-travel authorisation (USD 10); e-Arrival Card is free. UK citizens are K-ETA-exempt until 31 Dec 2026. Valid K-ETA holders are exempt from the e-Arrival Card. For a full overview of the K-ETA system, see our K-ETA South Korea guide.
When do I need to fill out the e-Arrival Card?
Within 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival. Earlier submissions expire. Re-submission is allowed; immigration uses the most recent valid submission.
Do UK passport holders need an e-Arrival Card?
Yes. UK nationals are K-ETA-exempt until 31 December 2026, making the e-Arrival Card mandatory for British travellers entering visa-free for up to 90 days.
Does my child need a separate e-Arrival Card?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, must have an individual e-Arrival Card. The individual portal supports 1 to 9 travellers per session; group portal supports 2 to 1,000.
What if I forget to submit the e-Arrival Card online before departure?
Paper arrival cards remain available on flights and at airport kiosks. Non-submission of the electronic form does not result in denied entry.
Do I need an e-Arrival Card for a transit or layover at Incheon?
No. If you remain airside and do not clear South Korean immigration, no arrival card is required.
Can I edit my e-Arrival Card after submitting?
Yes. Use the Check/Edit service at e-arrivalcard.go.kr via your Issue Number or email verification. Re-submission is also allowed.
I have two passports – which one do I enter on the form?
Use the passport you will present at immigration. If you applied for K-ETA with a specific passport, use that same one for consistency.
I haven’t received my confirmation email. What should I do?
Check your spam folder. Gmail and may experience delivery delays (March 2026 notice). Your Issue Number on the confirmation screen is sufficient; screenshot it as backup.
