South Korea K-ETA: Exemption extended through 2026
What Extension of South Korea K-ETA Means for International Travelers
Korean officials announced the extension of its exemption for the South Korea K-ETA — Korea Electronic Travel Authorization — through December 2026, which allows travelers from 67 designated countries to enter the Republic of Korea without applying for a K-ETA. Pureum Law Office, based in Seoul, is here to help you fully understand this issue and how it affects Korea-bound travelers.
This extension means:
- Travelers from eligible countries no longer need to apply for K-ETA before arrival;
- Arrival procedures will be simplified, reducing paperwork & waiting times; and
- Barriers have been reduced to make travel to South Korea more attractive for visitors.
Why Did Korea Take This Action?
The ROK Government views this K-ETA extension as part of a broader strategy to revive and accelerate the nation’s tourism industry after the disruptive pandemic years.
Key motivations include:
- Increasing the number of foreign visitors by making travel easier;
- Promoting lesser-known regions beyond the major tourist hubs (e.g., beyond Seoul and its environs);
- Leveraging Korea’s cultural appeal (K-culture) along with nature tourism; and
- Meeting an ambitious goal of attracting 30 million foreign tourists by 2030.
K-ETA Eligible Countries and Key Details
As of the update:
- The exemption applies to travelers from 67 countries/regions across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania.
- Highlighted countries include: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
- For eligible travelers, K-ETA is optional. However, obtaining K-ETA still offers benefits, such as exemption from some arrival-card formalities.
- From February 2025, the digital arrival-card system (‘e-Arrival Card’) began for some visitors, furthering the digitalization of the travel process.
Implications for Travelers to Korea and the Nation’s Tourism
For travelers going to South Korea:
- Less pre-travel paperwork enables more spontaneous travel.
- Lower travel-entry friction, especially for first-time visitors to Korea.
- More time to plan trips rather than arrange visas or authorizations.
For domestic tourism and hospitality businesses:
- Potential increase in visitor numbers means more opportunities for hotels, tour operators, and transport services.
- Regions outside Seoul can benefit from visitor distribution as Korea promotes diverse destinations.
- Businesses should prepare for more international tourists, possibly from previously less active markets.
Practical Tips Regarding K-ETA
- Even if K-ETA is exempted, always check your country’s eligibility and stay updated, as the list may change.
- Travelers opting for K-ETA might still gain benefits—if you plan repeat visits or longer stays, applying might still make sense.
- Digital arrival cards may become mandatory in the future—travelers should monitor official announcements.
- Consider exploring regions beyond the major cities: Korea is actively promoting diverse destinations, making this a good time to visit less-crowded spots.
- For tourism businesses: gear up marketing toward newly accessible markets; offer packages that emphasize ease of entry; highlight how simple it now is to visit Korea.
Conclusion: Extension of South Korea K-ETA
By extending the K-ETA exemption through December 2026, South Korea is making a confident move to lower entry barriers and welcome more international tourists. For travelers, this means easier access and fewer bureaucratic steps. For Korea’s tourism industry, it offers a fresh opportunity to attract global visitors, encourage regional tourism, and expand its international appeal.
If you are considering visiting Korea or working in the tourism sector, now is an excellent time to plan ahead and leverage this favorable travel-policy change.
For any questions about traveling to South Korea, including visas/entry rules, or how this change might affect your trip, please contact us anytime.
Let Us Help
