Do I Need a Visa to Visit Korea?
, by Jun Sung Lee, 3 min reading time
Ask Korea — Travel
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Korea?
South Korea offers visa-free entry to citizens of more than 100 countries — but the rules vary by passport and length of stay. Here is what you need to know before you book.
Visa-free countries
100+
Standard stay (US / EU)
90 days
K-ETA (2024–25)
Suspended — 22 countries
Tourist visa processing
3–7 business days
Who can enter Korea without a visa
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, most EU countries, Japan, Singapore, and many others can enter South Korea visa-free for tourism. The standard permitted stay is 90 days, though bilateral agreements vary — some countries are limited to 30 days.
The most current and authoritative source for your specific passport is the Korea Visa Portal, operated by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa.mofa.go.kr
K-ETA — Korea's electronic travel authorization
Since September 2021, Korea introduced the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) for visa-free travelers. As of January 2024, K-ETA has been temporarily suspended for citizens of 22 major countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and Japan — through the end of 2025.
Travelers from countries not on the exemption list still need to register a K-ETA online at k-eta.go.kr before departure. The fee is approximately KRW 10,000 (roughly USD 7–8), and approval is typically granted within 72 hours.
If your country requires a visa
If your nationality is not in a visa-free arrangement with Korea, you will need to apply for a tourist visa (C-3) through the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate before travel. Processing times vary — typically 3 to 7 business days for standard processing.
Before you book: Visa policies change. Verify your specific requirements at visa.mofa.go.kr or contact the Korean Embassy in your country. Requirements differ based on the purpose of your visit — tourism, business, or study.
Useful resources
- visa.mofa.go.kr — Official Korea Visa Portal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- k-eta.go.kr — K-ETA application and country exemption list
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