Do I need a visa for South Korea?

It depends on your passport. EU citizens: travel authorisation required, up to 90 days (10,000 KRW). US citizens: travel authorisation required, up to 90 days (10,000 KRW). UK citizens: travel authorisation required, up to 90 days (10,000 KRW). Romanian citizens: travel authorisation required, up to 90 days (10,000 KRW). Pick your passport on the page for the rule that applies to you, checked against South Korea's official page on 2026-08-09.

South Korea travel tips

South Korea visa requirements

Q: Does South Korea have an arrival card?

Yes — the K-ETA, required. At least 72 hours before departure. You need: passport, a passport photo, flight number, the full address of your first night. Waived for a number of nationalities on a list that has changed more than once — the official page is the authority on whether you need it at all.

The rule for your own passport, from South Korea's official immigration page, with the date it was last checked. The same answer for every guide in South Korea: Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju, Seoraksan & Sokcho.

Passport

Travel authorisation requiredup to 90 days10,000 KRW

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Israel, United Arab Emirates

K-ETA has been waived for many of these nationalities on a rolling basis — check the official link, because the exemption list changes yearly.

Visa required in advance

Every other passport

How to get it: Apply at k-eta.go.kr at least 72 hours before departure. Only that domain is official.

K-ETA — required

When: At least 72 hours before departure.

Have ready: passport, a passport photo, flight number, the full address of your first night.

Waived for a number of nationalities on a list that has changed more than once — the official page is the authority on whether you need it at all.

Official form · checked 2026-09-11

Official government source · checked 2026-08-09

Entry rules change often and depend on your passport, your route and the purpose of the trip. Confirm on the official page before booking.

The guides in South Korea

SeoulSouth KoreaPalaces, street food, and relentless energy

Haedong Yonggungsa temple on the rocks above the sea

BusanSouth KoreaKorea’s port city: beaches in the middle of it, the largest fish market in the country, and a hillside village painted every colour

JejuSouth KoreaA volcanic island of black rock and green tea, with women who have dived for shellfish for centuries

a couple of women walking down a street next to a building

GyeongjuSouth KoreaA thousand years of Silla capital spread through a small city, with royal tombs rising out of the parks

Seoraksan & SokchoSouth KoreaGranite spires and autumn colour two hours from Seoul, with a fishing port and a cable car below them