South Korea Visa Requirements 2026
Visa requirements for South Korea: electronic travel authorisation for up to 90 days, KRW 10,000 (~$7.50, K-ETA). Updated 30 May 2026. Plus passport rules, customs, and prohibited items.
South Korea visa at a glance
- Policy
- Electronic travel authorisation
- Length of stay
- 90 days
- Cost
- KRW 10,000 (~$7.50, K-ETA)
- Passport
- Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
- Official source
- www.k-eta.go.kr
K-ETA required for visa-exempt nationalities (US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia/NZ) – valid 3 years. Some countries waived 2024-2026 (UK, US, Australia). Check before applying.
90-day visa-free entry for most Western nationalities. K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) may be required – check current requirements before travel as this has been waived and reinstated multiple times. Apply online at least 72 hours before departure.
Customs allowances
Duty-free allowance: 200 cigarettes, 1 liter of alcohol, 60ml of perfume, goods worth up to $800 USD. Must declare cash over $10,000 USD equivalent.
Prohibited items
Drug laws are strict – cannabis and other drugs are illegal regardless of legality in your home country. South Korea can prosecute citizens and visitors for drug use abroad. Pornography is technically illegal. Do not bring North Korean propaganda materials.
Frequently asked questions about South Korea visas
Do I need a visa to visit South Korea?
Electronic travel authorisation applies for South Korea: K-ETA required for visa-exempt nationalities (US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia/NZ) – valid 3 years. Some countries waived 2024-2026 (UK, US, Australia). Check before applying.
How much does a South Korea visa cost?
The South Korea visa costs KRW 10,000 (~$7.50, K-ETA). This is the published fee on the official application channel (www.k-eta.go.kr/). Third-party visa agents charge extra; apply directly via the official site to avoid markup.
How long can I stay in South Korea?
The standard electronic travel authorisation allows 90 days per entry. Most policies are extendable in-country at an immigration office for an additional fee — check the official source for current extension rules. Visa runs (leaving and re-entering to reset the clock) are increasingly scrutinised; do not rely on them.
What passport validity does South Korea require?
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
Where do I apply for a South Korea visa?
Apply directly at the official government source: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/. Many third-party sites charge inflated fees for the same form. Always check the URL ends in a government domain (.gov, .gov.<country>, or the country's official immigration domain) before paying.