As of 2026-11-11 · Updated 2026-11-11
- The official temporary exemption is in effect from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 (KST).
- The Ministry of Justice notice on the official K-ETA website says the countries and regions that are currently exempt are covered by this extension. That notice does not reprint the country names.
- If you are exempt, the official site shows a pop-up when you scan your passport information page (the U.S. embassy notice also mentions a pop-up when you select your nationality).
- Exempt travelers may still apply if they want benefits such as not submitting an arrival card. In that case, the application fee is charged.
- Use only www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA mobile app.
Open the official K-ETA website
K-ETA is the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization. It is for eligible visa-free travelers who want to enter the Republic of Korea without a visa.
It is not a visa. An approved K-ETA also does not guarantee entry. A Korea Immigration Service officer makes the final decision at the port of entry.
How long the temporary exemption lasts
The official K-ETA notice (23 December 2025) says the Ministry of Justice extended the temporary exemption for one more year. The exemption is effective until 31 December 2026 (KST).
The same notice states the extended period as 1 January 2026 (Thursday) to 31 December 2026 (Thursday) (KST).
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA published the same dates on 29 December 2025. It adds that the countries and regions currently exempt, including the U.S.A., are subject to this extension.
This guide does not guess what will happen after 31 December 2026 (KST). Check the official website for any later change.
How to confirm that you are exempt
The official extension notice does not print a country list. It says people who are subject to the exemption will get a pop-up message when they scan a photo of their passport information page during the application.
The U.S. embassy notice uses slightly different wording. It says the pop-up appears when you select your nationality during the application.
The reliable check is the official website, not a travel blog. Go to www.k-eta.go.kr and follow the on-screen message for your passport or nationality.
Start on the official K-ETA application page
Country list published by a Korean embassy
Because the official extension notice does not name the countries, this table copies the list from a notice by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Swiss Confederation (30 December 2025).
That embassy notice says K-ETA is temporarily exempted for Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the countries and regions listed below, from 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2026. Confirm your own status on www.k-eta.go.kr before you travel.
| Region (embassy notice) | Number listed |
|---|---|
| Asia (5) | 5 countries/regions |
| Americas (3) | 3 countries/regions |
| Europe (13+2) | 15 countries/regions |
| Oceania (2) | 2 countries/regions |
- Asia (5): Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao.
- Americas (3): Canada, US, Guam.
- Europe (13+2): UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.
- Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand.
The embassy page also says people from other countries should contact the Korean embassy in their country, visit the K-ETA website, or call +82-1345.
Other official embassy pages describe the same core group as 22 countries and regions, and count the United States including Guam as one item. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hiroshima published one such list on 26 December 2025. That list does not separately name Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This article does not treat any embassy table as a substitute for the official website pop-up.
Other official reasons you may not need to apply
The official “Eligible Countries / Applicants” page also lists people who are not required to apply, even if their nationality is on the K-ETA list. These exemptions are separate from the temporary country exemption.
| Official category | Official rule (short) |
|---|---|
| Age | 17 and under, or 65 and over |
| Passport type | Diplomatic or official passport |
| Visa or residence | Registered foreigners; visa holders |
| Other listed groups | See the official groups below |
- Age. Those who are 17 years old and younger, or 65 years old and older, on the date of entry.
- Passport type. Diplomatic or official passport holders.
- Visa or residence. Registered foreigners and visa holders.
- Other listed groups. Active U.S. service members under the US-ROK SOFA; aircraft and ship crew members; ABTC (APEC) holders; transfer passengers; UN passport holders.
A 28 June 2023 official notice says the age exemption started on 3 July 2023 (KST). If these travelers still want benefits such as not submitting an arrival card, they may apply, and the fee will be charged.
If you are exempt, should you still apply
You do not have to apply if you are exempt. The official extension notice says you may still apply if you want benefits from K-ETA approval, such as not having to submit an arrival card. In that case, the fee is charged.
The official fee is 10,000 KRW per person (approximately USD 7 to 8). Extra online payment processing fees may apply (the fee guide says generally about 3%). The fee is not refundable, including after a refusal, and there is no official expedited service.
A valid K-ETA is usually valid for 3 years, or until the passport expires if that date is sooner. Applications submitted before 3 July 2023 were valid for 2 years. This period is separate from your visa-free stay limit, which depends on your nationality.
If you already have a K-ETA, the official notice says you can use it until its expiration date. The fee already paid is not refundable.
Being exempt from K-ETA is not the same as being exempt from an arrival card. See Korea e-Arrival Card: Do You Need to Submit One? for who must file the arrival card.
If you do need K-ETA
Eligible travelers who are not exempt must obtain K-ETA approval before boarding a flight or ship to Korea. Applying after boarding, or after you are already in Korea, may lead to a refusal or entry restrictions.
Assessment typically takes 72 hours or less, but it can take longer. An official notice recommends applying 1 to 2 months before your expected entry date. Use only the official website or the official K-ETA app. Details are in Use Only the Official K-ETA Website.
Common mistakes
- Treating a blog country list as final, instead of checking the official website pop-up.
- Confusing “eligible to apply for K-ETA” with “temporarily exempt from K-ETA.” Many visa-free countries still need K-ETA.
- Assuming a K-ETA exemption also cancels the arrival card. Official e-Arrival Card rules treat K-ETA-exempt travelers as people who may need to submit an arrival card, unless they are K-ETA holders (with a limited visa exception).
- Paying a third-party website more than the official fee. The government has not delegated K-ETA applications to any agency.
- Thinking an approved K-ETA guarantees entry. The immigration officer decides at the port of entry.
FAQ
Q1. Do U.S. citizens need K-ETA right now?
The U.S. embassy notice says the currently exempt countries and regions, including the U.S.A., are covered by the extension through 31 December 2026 (KST). Confirm on the official website, because a pop-up should appear for exempt nationalities.
Q2. Do travelers from the UK, Australia, Singapore, Japan, or Canada need K-ETA?
Those places appear on the 30 December 2025 Korean embassy list quoted above. Still confirm on www.k-eta.go.kr with your own passport.
Q3. I am from Malaysia. Am I exempt?
Malaysia is listed on the official K-ETA “Eligible Countries / Applicants” page, with an allowed stay of 3 months. Malaysia does not appear on the 30 December 2025 embassy exemption table used in this article.
This article does not treat that as a substitute for the official pop-up. Check www.k-eta.go.kr for your passport. If no exemption message appears, follow the application instructions.
Q4. If I am exempt, is the arrival card also waived?
Not automatically. The official benefit of skipping the arrival card is described for people with K-ETA approval. The official e-Arrival Card page lists K-ETA-exempt individuals among those subject to the declaration, and lists K-ETA holders among those excluded.
Q5. Can I apply even if I am exempt?
Yes. The official notice allows this. The application fee will be charged, and it is not refundable.
Q6. What if I already paid for K-ETA?
The official notice says you can use an already issued K-ETA until it expires. The fee is not refunded.
Q7. Will I need K-ETA after 31 December 2026?
The official exemption is stated only through 31 December 2026 (KST). This article does not assume a further extension. Check the official website closer to your travel date.
Checklist before you fly
- I opened www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app, not a look-alike site.
- I checked the on-screen pop-up for my passport or nationality.
- If I am not exempt, I applied early enough (official guidance: typically 72 hours or less, but it can take longer; one official notice suggests 1 to 2 months ahead) and I have approval before boarding.
- If I am exempt and I still want to skip the arrival card, I understand that a voluntary K-ETA application is paid and non-refundable.
- If I skip K-ETA, I have checked whether I must submit an e-Arrival Card.
- I know K-ETA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry.
Sources（Checked 2026-11-11）
- K-ETA — Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption (23 December 2025)
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA — Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption (~12/31/2026) (29 December 2025)
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Swiss Confederation — [Updated-until 31. Dec. 2026] Notice on Temporary Exemption of K-ETA to Switzerland and Liechtenstein (and the 23 countries/regions) (30 December 2025)
- 주히로시마 대한민국 총영사관 — 전자여행허가제(K-ETA) 한시 면제 안내 (26 December 2025)
- K-ETA — Eligible Countries / Applicants
- K-ETA — Application Guide
- K-ETA — Application Fee Guide
- K-ETA — NOTICE : Expansion of K-ETA Validity Period & K-ETA Requirement Exemption for Certain Ages (28 June 2023)
- K-ETA — Notice about the Estimated Time for K-ETA Screening (6 April 2022)
- K-ETA — official application (www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do)
Rules can change. Check the official website again before you travel or apply.