For 2026, 22 popular countries — including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan and most of the EU — are temporarily exempt from K-ETA through December 31, 2026 under Korea's "Visit Korea Year" measure. That means citizens of those countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days without applying for anything in advance (though applying for a K-ETA is still optional, mainly to skip the paper arrival card). Travelers from visa-waiver countries not on the exemption list still need a K-ETA (about ₩10,000, valid multiple entries). Everyone else needs a proper visa. Always confirm your nationality's status on the official K-ETA site before you fly, because exemptions change.
"Do I need a visa for Korea?" has a different answer in 2026 than it did a couple of years ago, because Korea has temporarily paused the K-ETA requirement for its most common visitor countries to boost tourism. That's good news — but only if you know whether your nationality is covered, because getting it wrong can mean being turned away at the gate.
This guide sorts travelers into three buckets — nothing needed, K-ETA needed, or visa needed — so you know exactly what to do before you book. Entry rules change, so use the official K-ETA website (k-eta.go.kr) as the final word.
What is a K-ETA?
A K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online pre-approval that visa-waiver travelers normally need before flying to Korea. It's not a visa — it's a quick electronic check, costs around ₩10,000, and once approved is valid for multiple entries over a multi-year period. You apply online or via the K-ETA app, usually at least 72 hours before travel.
The big 2026 change: temporary K-ETA exemption
To support inbound tourism, Korea has extended a temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries and regions through December 31, 2026. If your country is on that list, you can enter visa-free without any K-ETA at all for short visits.
The exempt list includes major sources of visitors such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Germany and many more. Applying for a K-ETA remains optional for these travelers — the main reason to bother is that an approved K-ETA lets you skip filling out the paper arrival card at immigration.
Which bucket are you in?
Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
Citizen of a 2026 K-ETA-exempt country (US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, much of EU…) | Nothing required — enter visa-free up to 90 days. K-ETA optional. |
Citizen of a visa-waiver country NOT on the exemption list | K-ETA required before travel |
Citizen of a non-visa-waiver country | Visa required (apply at a Korean embassy) |
Planning to work, study, or stay long-term | Visa required — see work visas or the working holiday visa |
Because the exemption is temporary and country-specific, always verify your nationality on the official K-ETA site rather than relying on a list you saw months ago.
How long can you stay visa-free?
For most exempt and visa-waiver nationalities, visa-free / K-ETA entry allows up to 90 days per visit as a tourist. A few countries have different limits (for example, shorter or longer caps under specific agreements), so check yours. Visa-free entry is for tourism and short business — it does not allow you to work. If you want to earn money in Korea, you need the right work visa or an H-1 working holiday visa.
What about an arrival card?
If you enter under the K-ETA exemption without applying for a K-ETA, you'll typically still complete a paper arrival card on the plane or at immigration. Travelers who do apply for the optional K-ETA can skip that card. Either way, have your accommodation address and onward travel details handy for the immigration officer.
Quick pre-flight checklist
Confirm your nationality's status on k-eta.go.kr (exempt, K-ETA, or visa).
If you need a K-ETA, apply at least 72 hours before departure.
Make sure your passport has enough validity for your trip.
Know your first-night address and onward ticket for the arrival card.
Sort your other essentials — SIM/eSIM and an airport-to-Seoul plan.
Plan your trip
Trip Budget Calculator — Entry sorted? Build a realistic Korea budget — flights aside — covering transport, food, hotels and activities so there are no surprises after you land.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a K-ETA for Korea in 2026?
No. The United States is on the 2026 K-ETA exemption list, so US citizens can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days without a K-ETA. Applying for a K-ETA is optional and mainly lets you skip the paper arrival card.
How much does a K-ETA cost and how long is it valid?
A K-ETA costs roughly ₩10,000 including the processing fee, and once approved it's valid for multiple entries over a multi-year window. Apply through the official site or app at least 72 hours before you travel.
Is K-ETA the same as a visa?
No. A K-ETA is a travel authorization for visa-waiver tourists, not a visa. It doesn't let you work or study, and it doesn't extend the 90-day tourist limit. For employment or long stays you need an actual visa.
Will the K-ETA exemption last beyond 2026?
The current exemption is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026. Whether it's extended again is a government decision that hasn't been finalized, so check the official K-ETA site before any 2027 trip.
Can I work in Korea if I enter visa-free or with a K-ETA?
No. Visa-free entry and K-ETA are for tourism and short business only. Working requires a proper work visa — see our Korea work visa guide or the working holiday visa guide.