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US passport · South Korea

Do US citizens need a visa for South Korea?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 1 Nov 2026

In brief

No. US passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days.

South Korea visa-free stay for US citizens: up to 90 days. Official rule. Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA, checked .

South Korea visa fee for US 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(including the U.S.A) are subject to this extension.Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea)

Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea)Report a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do US citizens need a visa?
  4. Visa types
  5. How to apply
  6. Apply from the US
  7. Fee
  8. Processing time
  9. Documents
  10. What changed
  11. FAQ
  12. Sources

At a glance

AccessVisa-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)
StayUp to 90 days
Validity and entriesA K-ETA is valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires if that comes first.5
Official feeNone for visa-free entryA K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 per person, about USD 7-8.2US citizens who need a Korean visa (for example for a longer stay or work) apply at the Korean consulate general for their state; for US citizens every visa costs USD 45, whatever the type or length of stay (Houston consulate).8
Official processingA K-ETA decision takes about 72 hours but can take longer; the K-ETA Center recommends applying 1-2 months before travel.6
Where to applyNothing to apply for to visit visa-free
Before arrivalWhile the K-ETA exemption applies, US citizens without a K-ETA must submit an arrival card; travellers holding a K-ETA do not.3Fill in the free e-Arrival Card online on the Ministry of Justice site within 3 days before you arrive.4

Do US citizens need a visa for South Korea?

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea) lists the US 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(including the U.S.A) are subject to this extension.”

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea) · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • US citizens can still get a K-ETA in 2026 so they do not have to submit an arrival card; the application fee is then charged and is not refunded.

    Still, those who wish to receive benefits from K-ETA approval, such as not having to submit an arrival card, may apply for K-ETA; in that case, the application fee will be charged. ※ Those who have obtained K-ETA can use it until its expiration date and the application fee paid is non-refundableEmbassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA · checked

  • US citizens may stay in Korea visa-free for up to 90 days.

    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Allowed Period of Stay : 90 DaysMinistry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA · checked

South Korea visa types for US citizens

How to apply

To visit visa-free for up to 90 days there is nothing to apply for: check the documents and entry checks below.

  1. If you want a K-ETA, apply only on the official website k-eta.go.kr or the K-ETA app; Korea has not authorised any agency to apply for you.

    Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA · checked

How to apply from the US

  1. US citizens who need a Korean visa (for example for a longer stay or work) apply at the Korean consulate general for their state; for US citizens every visa costs USD 45, whatever the type or length of stay (Houston consulate).

    Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston · checked

Fee

Visa-free entry costs nothing.

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

Documents and entry checks

What changed

  1. Until 31 December 2026 (Korean time), US citizens are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA; the Ministry of Justice extended the exemption by one year. Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA · checked
  2. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is South Korea visa-free for US 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 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea).

How much does a South Korea visa cost for US citizens?

Visa-free entry costs nothing. A K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 per person, about USD 7-8. US citizens who need a Korean visa (for example for a longer stay or work) apply at the Korean consulate general for their state; for US citizens every visa costs USD 45, whatever the type or length of stay (Houston consulate).

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. A K-ETA decision takes about 72 hours but can take longer; the K-ETA Center recommends applying 1-2 months before travel.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea): entry rule, changes and entry conditionsoverseas.mofa.go.kr · checked
  2. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA: entry conditions and feesk-eta.go.kr · checked
  3. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (e-Arrival Card): documentse-arrivalcard.go.kr · checked
  4. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (e-Arrival Card): documentse-arrivalcard.go.kr · checked
  5. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA: visa typesk-eta.go.kr · checked
  6. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA: processing timek-eta.go.kr · checked
  7. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA: how to applyk-eta.go.kr · checked
  8. Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea): how to applyusa-houston.mofa.go.kr · checked
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Visa Almanac is an independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.