South Korea Visa, K-ETA, e-Arrival Card & Customs Entry Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Visa-Free Entry vs. K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

Citizens of over 110 countries and territories can enter the Republic of Korea visa-free for short-term tourism or business (typically 90 days for US, EU, UK, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, and Taiwanese passport holders, and 180 days for Canadian passport holders). Normally, visa-waiver nationals must obtain a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) online before boarding. However, South Korea's Ministry of Justice operates a multi-year temporary K-ETA exemption for 22+ major tourism markets (including the USA, UK, EU/Schengen, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Singapore).

If your nationality requires a K-ETA—or if you voluntarily apply for one so you can skip the arrival card for 3 years (or until your passport expires)—apply only through the official government portal at www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA mobile app at least 72 hours before departure. The official application fee is ₩10,000 (~$7.50 USD).

Paper Arrival Card vs. Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival)

If you enter South Korea without a K-ETA, you must submit an Arrival Card listing your Korean hotel address and contact phone number. Keep your first hotel's road-name address, postal code, and telephone number saved offline on your phone so you can copy it quickly. You can either complete the yellow-and-white paper card handed out by flight attendants or submit the free Korea Electronic Arrival Card up to 3 days before arrival, which links directly to your passport number when the immigration officer scans your bio page.

Biometrics, Smart Pass & Automated Departure Gates

At the immigration booth upon arrival, all foreign visitors aged 17 and older provide a digital index-finger scan and a quick camera photo. Once your entry biometrics are recorded by Korean Immigration, you can use the automated e-gates when departing from Incheon (ICN), Gimpo (GMP), or Gimhae (PUS) without waiting in the manual officer queue. Furthermore, Incheon Airport offers the optional ICN Smart Pass app, which lets you register your passport chip and facial scan before heading to the airport so you can walk through dedicated facial-recognition departure lanes at security entrances and boarding gates.

Duty-Free Allowances & Strict Biosecurity Bans

South Korea eliminated the mandatory paper customs form for travelers who have nothing to declare—simply walk through the Green Channel ("Nothing to Declare") after collecting your bags. Declare via the paper form or the Traveler Customs Declaration app only if you exceed these duty-free limits per adult (age 19+ for alcohol and tobacco):

• General Goods: Up to $800 USD total combined value of gifts and overseas purchases.
• Alcohol: Up to 2 bottles (maximum 2 liters total and under $400 USD combined value).
• Tobacco: Up to 200 cigarettes (1 carton), 50 cigars, or 20 ml of e-cigarette liquid (nicotine concentration must be under 1% / 10 mg/ml).
• Perfume: Up to 100 ml (counted separately from the $800 general allowance).
• Currency: Any combination of Korean Won and foreign cash or checks exceeding $10,000 USD equivalent must be declared on entry and exit.

Quarantine Warning: Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) enforces zero tolerance on meat products (including vacuum-packed beef jerky, pork floss, sausages, and airline ham sandwiches) as well as fresh fruits, seeds, and soil. Dispose of any airplane snacks in the quarantine bins before customs.