Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea?
It depends on your nationality. Countries on the temporary exemption, including the United States, do not need a K-ETA through Dec 31, 2026.
DependsWhat the notice says
The Ministry of Justice extended the temporary K-ETA exemption by one year. It now runs from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (KST).
The extension applies to all countries currently covered by the exemption, including the United States.
Our summary of the notice dated Dec 29, 2025. Read the full notice in the official source above.Check your own nationality
- Open the K-ETA application. Use the official K-ETA website or the K-ETA app (store links).
- Select your nationality. The notice says travelers from covered countries then see a pop-up that reads “K-ETA Exempt.”
- No pop-up? Then the exemption does not cover your nationality. Use the K-ETA site to see what applies to you before you book.
Applying even if you are exempt
Exempt travelers may still apply for a K-ETA if they want the benefits of holding an approval. The notice gives one example: you would not have to submit a separate arrival card. The K-ETA application fee applies in that case.
The notice does not state the fee and we have not confirmed the current amount, so we left it out. Approvals issued earlier stay valid until their expiry dates, and fees paid for them are not refundable.
What we left out
We do not list or count the exempt countries. The notice names none, and other websites disagree with each other.
We do not say whether the e-Arrival Card is mandatory for everyone. The notice mentions the arrival card only for people who hold a K-ETA.
Check the official K-ETA site before you book.Common questions
Is there an official list of exempt countries?
The notice does not list countries. It says the extension covers all countries currently exempt, including the United States, and tells travelers to select their nationality in the K-ETA application.
What happens after December 31, 2026?
The notice covers only the period up to that date. We will update this answer when the Ministry of Justice announces what comes next, so check the K-ETA site before you book travel for 2027.
Can I get a K-ETA if my country is exempt?
Yes. The notice says travelers from exempt countries may apply voluntarily, and the application fee applies.
Does an approval I already hold still work?
Yes. The notice says previously issued approvals remain valid until their stated expiration dates.
Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Hagatna: “Notice of Exemption of K-ETA Temporary Period” (dated Dec 29, 2025, read Nov 2, 2026). The Korean version of the notice is the official one.
- K-ETA official website (the application pages; we could not read them as plain text).
Not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you act. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will correct it and update the date.
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