South Korea · Entry rules
Who needs a visa for South Korea?
Entry rules for South Korea by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), checked .
In brief
Citizens of 3 countries and territories can visit South Korea without a visa, most for up to 90 days. 107 can apply for an eVisa or ETA online. Everyone else, 87 nationalities, needs a visa; some have another route with a residence permit or another visa, shown below.
K-ETA fee: The K-ETA fee is KRW 10,000 per person (the site gives about USD 7-8). KRW 10,000 ≈ USD 7.36 or EUR 6.59 at the ECB rate of . Official fee. Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, checked .
K-ETA processing time: Assessment typically takes 72 hours or less but can take longer when applications surge. Applications are reviewed in the order received, and there is no expedited service. Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, checked .
- Visa-free
- 3
- On arrival
- 0
- eVisa or ETA
- 107
- Visa required
- 87
About 5.7 bn people (72% of the world's other nationalities by population) need a visa arranged before they travel to South Korea: a visa, an eVisa or a visa only with another permit.
Checked 31 Oct 2026Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of KoreaNorth Korea: not verified (the source leaves it unclear)Report a change
Most common
India
United States
Hong Kong
Pakistan
Vietnam
Saudi ArabiaAll passports
South Korea entry rules at a glance
| Group | Stay | Nationalities | Examples | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free | 6 months | 1 | Canada | Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada |
| Visa-free | 90 days | 2 | United States, United Kingdom | Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA |
| ETA, with conditions | 30 to 90 days | 107 | Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Japan | Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea |
| Visa required | As granted | 87 | India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan | Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea |
Visa-free for 6 months: Canada
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).
CanadaSource: Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea), checked it has been decided to extend the temporary exemption period for the application of K-ETA for certain countries, including Canada, by one additional year, until December 31, 2026. ... ※ (Exempt countries/regions) Canada is exempt
Visa-free for 90 days: the US and the UK
United States: 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).
United Kingdom: 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).
United KingdomSource: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea), checked 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.
Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), K-ETA notice of 23 December 2025, checked 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.
ETA for 30 to 90 days with conditions: Brazil, Russia, Mexico and 104 more
K-ETA approval before boarding (KRW 10,000, valid 3 years); not needed under 18 or from 65; a temporary K-ETA waiver for some countries/regions runs until 31 Dec 2026 (list not published).
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Eswatini
Fiji
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras- Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Malaysia
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway
Oman
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino- Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Tuvalu
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Vatican City
Venezuela
Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), checked You can apply for K-ETA if you hold a passport from countries or regions listed below.
Visa required: India, China, Indonesia and 84 more
Apply before you travel at an embassy or consulate of South Korea, or the visa centre it names.
Nationalities not listed above: the official source says so in as many words.
Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Comoros
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Cuba
Djibouti
DR Congo
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau- India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Moldova
Mongolia
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia- Pakistan
Palestine
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Rwanda
São Tomé and Príncipe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Togo
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu- Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), checked Visa is a basic requirement for entry and in principle, a foreigner wishing to enter Korea must have a visa.
Or, for 64 of them: Jeju only: arrive on a direct international flight or ferry to Jeju for tourism or transit and stay on Jeju; no K-ETA needed for these nationalities. Stay: up to 30 days.
Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), checked Nationals of all countries, excluding nationals of 23 countries* announced by the Minister of Justice
Or, for 1 of them: tourist groups of 3 or more recruited by designated travel agencies in Indonesia; pilot from 28 May 2026 until 31 Dec 2026. Stay: 15 days.
Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), checked 이번에 시행하는 무사증 제도는 인도네시아 현지 전담여행사가 모객한 3인 이상의 단체관광객에게 적용되고, 동 제도를 통해 입국한 단체관광객은 15일 범위 내에서 대한민국 전역을 여행할 수 있게 됩니다.
In English: The visa-free scheme applies to tourist groups of three or more recruited by designated travel agencies in Indonesia; group tourists who enter under it may travel anywhere in Korea for up to 15 days.
Where to apply
Apply for the ETA only on the official site, k-eta.go.kr. Look-alike sites charge extra for the same form. A visa is applied for at an embassy or consulate of South Korea, or the visa centre it names, in the country where you live.
- K-ETA: eligible countries and allowed stay (official)
- K-ETA: extension of the temporary K-ETA exemption to 2026-12-31
- HiKorea: visa-free entry for non-Koreans (incl. Jeju)
These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules. Our guides: K-ETA: Korea's electronic travel authorization.
Most searched passports
FAQ
Do I need a visa to visit South Korea?
It depends on your passport: 3 nationalities are visa-free, 107 can use an eVisa or ETA and 87 need a visa. Choose your passport above.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Yes. Indian citizens need a visa before they travel to South Korea (Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service), checked 31 Oct 2026). Or Jeju only: arrive on a direct international flight or ferry to Jeju for tourism or transit and stay on Jeju; no K-ETA needed for these nationalities. Stay: up to 30 days.
Do US citizens need a visa for South Korea?
No, not for a short stay. US citizens can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days (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)) (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea), checked 1 Nov 2026).
Can I apply for a South Korea visa online?
Yes, if you are eligible: 107 nationalities can apply online for an eVisa or ETA, and some others through a residence permit or another visa. Apply only at k-eta.go.kr.
Sources and changes
- K-ETA: eligible countries and allowed stay (official)
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea)
- K-ETA: extension of the temporary K-ETA exemption to 2026-12-31
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea)
- HiKorea: visa-free entry for non-Koreans (incl. Jeju)
- Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service)
- Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service)
- Official application site (k-eta.go.kr)
- South Korea: no K-ETA for US, UK and Canadian citizens until 31 December 2026
- All groups checked against Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (Korea Immigration Service).
Something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.