🛂 Authoritative Global Korea Visa & Entry Guidevisa.go.kr · k-eta.go.kr · hikorea.go.kr · overseas.mofa.go.kr

South Korea Global Visa, K-ETA & Entry Requirements Guide

Deterministic, official-source-verified entry guidance for all global passport nationalities, territories, and travel documents — featuring real passport covers, K-ETA & visa-free eligibility, mandatory document checklists, and worldwide Korean embassy jurisdiction routing.

201Selectable Global Nationalities & Travel Docs
55Nationalities with Verified Deterministic Rules
39Visually Verified Real Passport Covers
6 + 52Official ROK Portals & Diplomatic Missions
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1. Do I need a visa to enter South Korea?

Visa Not Required (K-ETA Exempt)

Visa-Free Entry with Temporary K-ETA Exemption (Up to 90 Days — Exemption Valid Through Dec 31, 2026)

Holders of an ordinary United States passport may enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days and are temporarily exempt from K-ETA for travel on or before December 31, 2026.

2. What type of authorization and conditions apply?
Applicable Category / Pathway: Visa-Free Tourist/Short-Stay Entry (B-2 — Up to 90 Days)
K-ETA: Covered by the official temporary K-ETA exemption valid through December 31, 2026. Travel after 2026-12-31 requires K-ETA unless officially extended.
e-Arrival Card: Travelers entering without an active K-ETA or Korean Residence Card (ARC) must submit the free Korea e-Arrival Card at https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Official Fee Notice: No government visa fee for visa-free entry; the official e-Arrival Card is 100% free of charge.
Processing Time: Consular processing times vary by season and mission workload (commonly 5–15 business days for complete applications); check your responsible Korean diplomatic mission’s current processing notice.
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3. What documents are required? (Grouped by Confirmation Level)

A. Officially Confirmed Required Documents

Valid Passport (Minimum 6 Months Validity Recommended)
Original passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended entry with blank visa/stamp pages.
Applicable Condition: Applies to all international travelers entering the Republic of Korea.
Official Source: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10101 · Last Verified: 2026-11-09
Confirmed Return or Onward Flight Ticket
Proof of confirmed departure from South Korea within the permitted stay period.
Applicable Condition: Officially confirmed mandatory core requirement for this pathway.
Official Source: https://www.hikorea.go.kr · Last Verified: 2026-11-09
Confirmed Accommodation Address & Contact Information in Korea
Hotel reservation or host address required for e-Arrival Card / immigration inspection.
Applicable Condition: Officially confirmed mandatory core requirement for this pathway.
Official Source: https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr · Last Verified: 2026-11-09

B. Conditional or Scenario-Specific Documents

Travel Itinerary & Proof of Sufficient Funds (If Requested at Port of Entry Inspection)
Republic of Korea immigration officers may request verification of your travel itinerary and funds during arrival inspection.
Applicable Condition: Conditional upon immigration officer inspection at the port of entry.
Official Source: https://www.hikorea.go.kr · Last Verified: 2026-11-09
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4. Where and how do I apply?

1. Verify Passport Validity & Confirmed Return Ticket
Confirm your ordinary biometric passport is valid and your planned trip does not exceed the permitted visa-free stay days.
2. Submit Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival Card) Within 3 Days Before Arrival
Travelers entering without an active K-ETA must complete the free Korea e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 72 hours before arrival (or optionally apply for K-ETA).
3. Immigration Inspection at Port of Entry in South Korea
Present your passport, return ticket, and accommodation details. Final admission is determined by the Republic of Korea immigration officer.
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5. Which Korean embassy or consulate handles my application?

🏛️ Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States of America (Consular Office)

Multiple Korean diplomatic missions operate in United States. Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States of America (Consular Office) is selected for your consular region. Always verify your state/province against the mission’s jurisdiction table.

📍 Address: 2320 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
📞 Phone: +1-202-939-5653
🕒 Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 16:00
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7. When was this information verified & what are the official sources?

Strictly Verified Rule Matched Against Official ROK Government Sources

Specific Regulatory Citation: ROK MOJ Temporary K-ETA Exemption Extension Notice (through 2026-12-31) & B-2 Visa-Free Schedule (90 days)
Last Successful Official Verification: 2026-11-09 · Temporary K-ETA Exemption Expires: 2026-12-31
  • Sovereign Border Notice: Final admission into the Republic of Korea and the permitted period of stay are determined solely by the Republic of Korea immigration officer at the port of entry, even when holding a valid visa or K-ETA approval.
  • Legal Disclaimer: ALISOPLAY is an authoritative-source-based informational guide, NOT a government visa-issuing authority or commercial visa agency.
  • Consular requirements and processing schedules can change without prior notice; always verify your responsible Korean diplomatic mission’s latest announcements before purchasing non-refundable tickets.
Republic of Korea Visa Portal (Ministry of Justice / MOFA) — https://www.visa.go.kr
Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) — Ministry of Justice — https://www.k-eta.go.kr
HiKorea e-Government for Foreigners (Korea Immigration Service) — https://www.hikorea.go.kr
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MOFA Consular Services) — https://www.mofa.go.kr
Republic of Korea Overseas Diplomatic Missions Network (overseas.mofa.go.kr) — https://overseas.mofa.go.kr
Republic of Korea Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival Card) — Ministry of Justice — https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr