How long can I stay in Korea as a tourist?

It depends on your nationality and entry type. Visa-free short stays are commonly 30, 90, or 180 days depending on the country agreement, and a C-3 short-term visit visa is typically issued for up to 90 days. Your exact permitted stay is stamped or recorded at entry — overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans, so confirm your specific limit.

Can I work in Korea on a tourist visa or K-ETA?

No. Tourist entry, visa-free entry, and the K-ETA are for tourism, visiting, and short business meetings only — not for paid employment. Working requires an appropriate work visa. Working without authorization can lead to penalties and deportation.

What is the difference between K-ETA and a tourist visa?

The K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization for citizens of visa-waiver countries — not a visa. A C-3 tourist (short-term visit) visa is a formal visa required for nationals of countries that are not on the visa-waiver list. If your country is not visa-exempt, you generally need the C-3 visa, not a K-ETA.

How much does a K-ETA cost and when should I apply?

When required, the K-ETA fee is around KRW 10,000 (roughly US$7-8). Officials advise applying at least 72 hours before departure. Even when exempt, some travelers apply voluntarily because a valid K-ETA can remove the need to fill out the paper arrival card. Always use the official k-eta.go.kr site and beware of look-alike paid sites.

Home › Korea Tourist Visa & K-ETA Guide

Korea Tourist Visa & K-ETA Guide (2026)

Q: Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea in 2026?

As of 2026, the Korean Ministry of Justice has temporarily exempted nationals of designated visa-waiver countries from the K-ETA requirement through December 31, 2026, to support tourism. This includes major markets such as the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and most EU countries. The exemption is temporary and the list can change, so always confirm your nationality's current status on the official K-ETA site before booking.

Last updated: July 3, 2026 · Always verify on hikorea.go.kr

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The K-ETA flow at a glance (if your country is not exempt)

1Check whether you even need one. Korea’s temporary K-ETA exemption for designated visa-waiver countries has been extended through December 31, 2026 (per Korean MOFA consular notices, 2026). If your passport is on the list, you can skip the K-ETA entirely this year.
2Apply only at the official site — k-eta.go.kr (or the official K-ETA app). Third-party sites charge markups for the same form.
3Apply at least 72 hours before boarding. Most approvals come faster, but 72 hours is the official recommendation — don’t leave it to the airport.
4Pay the ₩10,000 fee (roughly US$8, non-refundable) and submit your passport details, photo and travel info.
5Keep the approval with you. It’s linked to your passport electronically, but a screenshot or printout avoids check-in friction. A valid K-ETA also means you skip the paper arrival card.

Verified July 3, 2026 against Korean MOFA consular notices and the official K-ETA site. Rules can change — always confirm on k-eta.go.kr before you fly.

General information for short-term visitors · Last reviewed: June 2026

Planning a trip to Korea and not sure whether you need a visa, a K-ETA, or nothing at all? The rules depend on your nationality, and for 2026 there is an important temporary change. This page explains the visa-free exemption, the K-ETA, the C-3 tourist visa, and how long you can stay — honestly, and with links to the official sources that make the final call.

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Note: Visa and entry rules change often and depend on your nationality. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Always verify the current requirements for your passport on the official Korea Electronic Travel Authorization site k-eta.go.kr, the Korea Immigration Service hikorea.go.kr, and your nearest Korean embassy before booking travel.

The big 2026 change: K-ETA temporarily waived

The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online entry permit for citizens of visa-waiver countries. For 2026, Korea's Ministry of Justice has temporarily exempted nationals of designated countries from needing a K-ETA, reportedly through December 31, 2026, as part of a push to boost tourism. Widely reported coverage puts the number of exempt countries and territories at around 67, including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and most EU nations. Because this is a temporary, year-by-year measure, the only reliable check is the official K-ETA website for your specific passport.

Which category applies to you?

There are three broad situations. The list below is an orientation — your nationality determines which one applies, so confirm officially.

1. Visa-free + K-ETA exempt (many travelers in 2026)

If your country is on the visa-waiver list and the 2026 K-ETA exemption applies to it, you may enter for tourism without a visa and without a K-ETA. You will still pass immigration and may need to show a return ticket, accommodation, and funds.

Confirm your country on k-eta.go.kr

2. Visa-free but K-ETA may apply later

If the exemption is not extended again, citizens of visa-waiver countries would need to apply for a K-ETA (around KRW 10,000) at least 72 hours before departure. Some travelers apply voluntarily even now for smoother arrival.

Reported exemption runs to Dec 31, 2026 — verify

3. C-3 short-term visit visa required

If your country is not on the visa-waiver list, you generally need a C-3 (short-term visit) visa from a Korean embassy or consulate before travel, typically allowing up to 90 days. Documents commonly include a passport, photo, application form, itinerary, proof of funds, and the fee.

Apply at your local Korean embassy/consulate

How long can you stay?

Permitted stay depends on your nationality's agreement with Korea and your entry type. Common patterns are below, but the figure that counts is the one recorded at immigration when you enter.

Entry type	Typical maximum stay
Visa-free short stay (varies by country)	Commonly 30, 90, or 180 days
C-3 short-term visit visa	Usually up to 90 days

Overstaying — even by a day — can mean fines and a re-entry ban. Note your permitted-until date at entry and verify limits on HiKorea or with your embassy.

Important: tourism is not work

Visa-free entry, the K-ETA, and the C-3 visa are for tourism, family visits, and short business meetings — not paid employment. If you intend to work, teach, or run a business, you need the appropriate work or business visa. If you plan to stay over 90 days for any long-term purpose, you will also need a residence card; see our Residence Card (ARC) registration guide.

Travel tip, not visa advice: many visitors set up a local eSIM before landing so they can get maps, translation, and verification texts the moment they arrive — handy if you need to show accommodation details at immigration.

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Korea entry checklist (visa-free / K-ETA)

0/6 ready

Most short-term visitors don't need a sticker visa, but you should still have entry items ready. Always confirm your nationality's exact status on the official sites before booking. Progress saves only in this browser.

Passport (valid 6+ months)Check validity rules for your nationality; many require validity beyond your stay.
Check your visa-free / K-ETA statusConfirm whether your passport is visa-free, needs a K-ETA, or needs a C-3 visa for 2026 on k-eta.go.kr — the temporary K-ETA waiver and country list can change.
K-ETA (if it applies to you)If required for your nationality, apply online before travel and carry the approval. Apply a few days ahead, not at the airport.
Onward / return ticketProof of departure within the allowed stay is commonly checked at the border.
Accommodation detailsAddress of your hotel/stay — immigration and the arrival card may ask for it.
Arrival card / customs declarationComplete the entry/customs forms (or the e-Arrival Card if you used it) before reaching the desk.

This checklist is a planning aid, not the official requirement list. Exact documents, thresholds, validity windows and fees are set by Korean Immigration and your embassy and can change — verify on hikorea.go.kr before submitting.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea in 2026?

For 2026, nationals of designated visa-waiver countries are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA, reportedly through December 31, 2026. The list can change — confirm your passport on the official k-eta.go.kr site before booking.

How long can I stay as a tourist?

Usually 30, 90, or 180 days visa-free depending on your country, or up to 90 days on a C-3 visa. Your exact limit is recorded at entry — overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans.

Can I work on a tourist visa or K-ETA?

No. These are for tourism and short visits only. Paid work requires a proper work visa; working without authorization can lead to deportation.

What's the difference between K-ETA and a tourist visa?

The K-ETA is an electronic authorization for visa-waiver nationals — not a visa. The C-3 is a formal tourist visa for nationals of non-exempt countries.

How much is the K-ETA and where do I apply?

About KRW 10,000 (US$7-8) when required, applied for at least 72 hours before departure. Only use the official k-eta.go.kr — avoid look-alike paid sites.

Reminder: entry rules, the K-ETA exemption, and stay limits change. Do not rely on this page as your final source. Confirm everything on k-eta.go.kr, hikorea.go.kr, and with your Korean embassy before acting. This is not legal advice.

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Korea Entry Pack 2026 — all of this, in one printable file

The pre-departure timeline, K-ETA & e-Arrival Card checklists, document list and arrival-day runbook (cash, T-money, AREX, eSIM) from this site — condensed into a 13-page offline PDF you can print and tick off. Everything in it stays free to read on this site; the pack is the organized, printable version.

Get the Entry Pack PDF →Instant download via Gumroad · 13-page A4 PDF · Edition July 2026 · General travel information — verify official rules before you fly.