British passport · South Korea
Do British citizens need a visa for South Korea?
In brief
No. British passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days.
South Korea visa-free stay for British citizens: up to 90 days. Official rule. Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA notice of 23 December 2025, checked .
South Korea visa fee for British citizens: none for visa-free entry.
Conditions: temporary K-ETA exemption until 31 Dec 2026: no K-ETA needed, but submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival (a K-ETA, KRW 10,000, stays optional and replaces the card).
the exemption will be effective until December 31, 2026 (KST). ... The countries/regions that are currently exempt from K-ETA are subject to this extension.
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA notice of 23 December 2025
Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA notice of 23 December 2025Report a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | Visa-free · 90 daystemporary K-ETA exemption until 31 Dec 2026: no K-ETA needed, but submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival (a K-ETA, KRW 10,000, stays optional and replaces the card) |
|---|---|
| Stay | Up to 90 days |
| Validity and entries | A K-ETA can be used for multiple trips for 3 years, or until the passport expires if that is sooner, and spares you the arrival card.6 |
| Official fee | None for visa-free entryA K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 per person, and the fee is not refunded whatever the outcome.5 |
| Official processing | K-ETA approval usually takes 72 hours or less and must be obtained before boarding.6 |
| Where to apply | Nothing to apply for to visit visa-free |
| Before arrival | Korea's online e-Arrival card is free and can be submitted within 3 days before arrival.4 |
Do British citizens need a visa for South Korea?
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA notice of 23 December 2025 lists the UK among the countries whose nationals can visit without a visa. Stay: 90 days. Conditions: temporary K-ETA exemption until 31 Dec 2026: no K-ETA needed, but submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival (a K-ETA, KRW 10,000, stays optional and replaces the card).
“the exemption will be effective until December 31, 2026 (KST). ... The countries/regions that are currently exempt from K-ETA are subject to this extension.”
Conditions and exceptions
British citizens can stay up to 90 days visa-free; holders of British National (Overseas), British Overseas citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen, British subject and British protected person passports get 30 days.
UK-BRITISH CITIZEN(GBR) Allowed Period of Stay : 90 Days UK-BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN(GBD) Allowed Period of Stay : 30 Days UK-BRITISH NATIONAL OVERSEAS(GBN) Allowed Period of Stay : 30 Days UK-BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZEN(GBO) Allowed Period of Stay : 30 Days UK-BRITISH PROTECTED PERSON(GBP) Allowed Period of Stay : 30 Days UK-BRITISH SUBJECT(GBS) Allowed Period of Stay : 30 Days
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea · checked
South Korea visa types for British citizens
A K-ETA can be used for multiple trips for 3 years, or until the passport expires if that is sooner, and spares you the arrival card.
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea · checked
Fee
Visa-free entry costs nothing.
A K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 per person, and the fee is not refunded whatever the outcome.
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea · checked
These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.
Processing time
K-ETA approval usually takes 72 hours or less and must be obtained before boarding.
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea · checked
Documents and entry checks
What changed
- The UK has been on Korea's list of 22 countries and regions exempted from K-ETA since 1 April 2023. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea · checked · read from an archived copy of 29 Mar 2023
- The temporary K-ETA exemption has been extended to 31 December 2026, so British visitors need no K-ETA until then; you may still apply, and pay, for one, for example to skip the arrival card. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea · checked
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is South Korea visa-free for British citizens now?
Yes: visa-free for up to 90 days. Conditions: temporary K-ETA exemption until 31 Dec 2026: no K-ETA needed, but submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival (a K-ETA, KRW 10,000, stays optional and replaces the card). Checked on 1 Nov 2026 against the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA notice of 23 December 2025.
How much does a South Korea visa cost for British citizens?
Visa-free entry costs nothing. A K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 per person, and the fee is not refunded whatever the outcome.
Can I get a South Korea visa in 7 days?
There is nothing to apply for to visit visa-free for up to 90 days. K-ETA approval usually takes 72 hours or less and must be obtained before boarding.
Other trips on a British passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA notice of 23 December 2025: entry rule and changes
- Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (K-ETA official website): changes
- Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (K-ETA official website): entry conditions
- Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), e-Arrival card: documents
- Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (K-ETA official website): fees
- Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (K-ETA official website): visa types and processing time