How to Apply for K-ETA: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Hello, travelers!

Planning a trip to Korea? If your country requires it, you’ll need to apply for K-ETA before you board your flight. This guide walks you through every step — what to prepare, how to fill it out, and what to watch out for so your application goes through without a hitch.

The whole process takes about 10 minutes. Let’s get into it.

Before You Apply for K-ETA: Quick Checklist

Start with these ready and you won’t need to stop halfway through:

• Your passport (valid for the duration of your stay)
• A passport-style photo (JPG or JPEG, under 100KB, 700×700px or smaller)
• Your accommodation address in Korea
• A credit card for payment (10,000 KRW / approx. $7–8 USD)
• Your flight details (optional but helpful)

Not sure if you even need to apply? Some countries are exempt from K-ETA through December 31, 2026. Check the exemption list first →

When to Apply

Apply at least 72 hours before your flight. Most results arrive within 24 hours, but give yourself extra time — especially during peak seasons like spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) when volumes are higher.

Once approved, your K-ETA is valid for 3 years from the approval date. If you’re planning to visit Korea again within that window, you won’t need to reapply — as long as your passport hasn’t changed.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for K-ETA

The official guide below covers every screen with screenshots. Follow along and you’ll be done in about 10 minutes.

Things to Get Right Before You Submit

Small errors are the most common reason for rejection. Here’s what to watch carefully:

• Name must match your passport exactly.
  No nicknames, no abbreviations. Copy it character by character from your passport bio page. Special characters like apostrophes (‘) and hyphens (-) cannot be entered — leave them out.
• Photo requirements are strict.
  JPG or JPEG only — PNG is not accepted. Under 100KB. Under 700×700 pixels. Color, front-facing, no glasses or hats. If your photo doesn’t meet the standard, it can negatively affect your application assessment.
• The fee is non-refundable. 
  10,000 KRW (~$7–8 USD), paid by credit card. This applies even if your application is rejected. Review everything carefully before you pay.
• Address in Korea.
  Enter your hotel’s address. If you haven’t booked yet, most applicants enter a planned hotel. If there’s no unit number, type NONE. You can update your address later through the K-ETA website before you enter Korea — but failing to update it may result in entry denial.
• Double nationality.
  If you hold citizenship in more than one country, you’ll be asked about this early in the form. Answer accurately.

Traveling With Others?

You can add up to 9 accompanying people to a single application using the “Add Members” button at the Check Information step (Step 5). Each person still gets their own individual K-ETA, but you process and pay together in one session.

After You Apply for K-ETA

You’ll receive your result by email — usually within 24 hours. Save the approval confirmation or screenshot it. You don’t need to print anything, but having it on your phone is a good idea in case immigration asks.

Korean immigration verifies your K-ETA automatically when you arrive. No separate document needed at the gate.

If you applied but haven’t heard back within 72 hours, check your spam folder first. You can also check your application status directly on the official K-ETA website.

FAQ

• Can I apply for K-ETA after I arrive in Korea?
  No. Your K-ETA must be approved before you board. There’s no option to apply on arrival.
• My country is on the exemption list. Do I still need to apply?
  No — but you can apply voluntarily if you’d rather skip filling out the paper Arrival Card at the airport.
  Here’s how the two compare →
• I visited Korea before. Do I need to reapply?
  Only if your K-ETA has expired (after 3 years) or you’ve gotten a new passport since your last application.
• Do children need to apply for K-ETA?
  Travelers under 18 or over 65 are often exempt, but this varies by nationality. Check the official K-ETA eligibility page to confirm for your specific country.
• What if my application is rejected?
  You’ll need to reapply from scratch. The fee is not refunded. Review the reason for rejection carefully before resubmitting — most rejections come down to photo quality or mismatched passport details.