Use Only the Official K-ETA Website (and How to Spot Look-Alikes)

As of 2026-11-11 · Updated 2026-11-11

Open the official K-ETA website

K-ETA is the official Korea Electronic Travel Authorization. It is run by the Korean government, not by a travel agency.

The official website is managed by the Korea Immigration Service. If a site asks for a much higher fee, or claims it can “rush” your application, it is not the official service.

The only official places to apply

• Website. www.k-eta.go.kr. Type this address yourself. Do not rely on a random search ad.
• Mobile app. The official app name is K-ETA, from the official store listing for the government service.
• Application page linked by the U.S. embassy. https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do

Look at the end of the address. Official Korean government sites use a go.kr domain. A .com, .net, or extra word in the name is a warning sign.

An official notice (16 December 2022) says some non-official websites were found demanding a higher application fee, and damage incidents have been reported. The government has not delegated K-ETA applications to any agencies.

An earlier official notice (16 December 2021) says the official website address is www.k-eta.go.kr, and that the K-ETA Center is not liable for any fee paid to a third party or agency.

Go to the official application page

How to spot an unofficial site

• The address is not exactly www.k-eta.go.kr.
• The site charges more than 10,000 KRW, plus any normal card processing fee, and calls it an “agency,” “service,” or “expedite” fee.
• It promises faster approval than other applicants. The official application guide says there is no expedited service. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.
• It asks you to hand over your passport data so “they” can apply for you.
• It copies the look of a government site but uses a different domain.

If you already paid a third party, that payment does not replace an official application. Apply again yourself on the official website if you still need K-ETA.

Official fee and payment

• Application fee. 10,000 KRW per person (approximately USD 7 to 8).
• Processing fee. Additional online payment processing fees may apply (generally about 3%).
• Refunds. Once paid, the fee is not refundable, regardless of the examination result.
• Cards listed on the fee guide. VISA, MASTER, JCB, AMEX, Diners Club, DISCOVER, UnionPay, or Alipay+.
• Card problems. If your card’s overseas payment option is blocked, the payment may fail. The official page says to contact your card issuer.

The fee covers the application and examination process. It is not a visa fee, and K-ETA is not a visa.

Do you need to apply at all

Some travelers are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026 (KST). Others may be exempt because of age (17 and under, or 65 and over on the date of entry), a visa, or another official category.

Check K-ETA Exemption Until 31 December 2026 and the official website pop-up before you pay. If you are exempt and you still apply, the fee will be charged and will not be refunded.

Official application steps

The official application guide lists these steps. You can apply as a member or as a non-member. The official page says the fee, assessment time, and validity period are the same in both cases.

1. Agree to the terms and conditions.
2. Sign up, or verify your email if you apply without membership.
3. Enter your passport information.
4. Enter your application and travel information.
5. Check every field against your passport.
6. Pay the official fee.
7. Complete the application and keep your email confirmation.

You need a valid passport, a valid email address, an ID photo, and a credit or debit card that can pay the fee.

Eligible travelers who need K-ETA must obtain approval before boarding the flight or ship. Applying after boarding, or after arrival in Korea, may lead to a refused application or entry restrictions.

Assessment typically takes 72 hours or less. It can take more than 72 hours when applications increase. An official notice recommends applying 1 to 2 months before your expected entry date.

An approved K-ETA is usually valid for 3 years, or until the passport expires if that is sooner. You can use it more than once during that period, but you cannot stay longer than the visa-free stay allowed for your nationality.

After you are approved

• Update travel information on the official website if your purpose of entry, stay address, contact details, expected arrival or departure dates, or accompanying persons change. The official guide says failure to do this may result in entry denial or other disadvantages.
• Apply again if your passport is reissued, or if your criminal record or infectious disease information changes, even if the old K-ETA has not expired.
• Remember that K-ETA approval lets you skip the arrival card. That is a separate form from K-ETA. See Korea e-Arrival Card.
• An approved K-ETA does not guarantee entry. The immigration officer decides at the port of entry.

Common mistakes

• Clicking the first search result or a sponsored link without reading the address.
• Paying a site that promises same-day or “priority” approval. The official guide says there is no expedited service.
• Submitting, then noticing a passport typo. Official information says entered information cannot be modified after submission, and a mismatch with your passport can prevent boarding. Check before you pay.
• Applying only a few hours before departure, then finding that the review took longer than 72 hours.
• Mixing up K-ETA with the free e-Arrival Card at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr.

FAQ

Q1. What is the official K-ETA website?

The official address is www.k-eta.go.kr. You can also use the official K-ETA mobile app.

Q2. Can I use an agency?

The official notice says the government has not delegated the K-ETA application service to any agencies. Apply yourself on the official website or app.

Q3. Why did a website charge me much more than 10,000 KRW?

Unofficial sites have been found charging a higher fee. The official fee is 10,000 KRW per person, and a separate processing fee may be added by the payment system (generally about 3%). The K-ETA Center is not liable for fees paid to a third party.

Q4. Can I pay extra to get a faster result?

No official expedited service exists. Applications are reviewed in the order received.

Q5. How long does the review take?

The official guide says it typically takes 72 hours or less, but it may take longer. Apply early.

Q6. Who can I contact?

The official fee page lists the K-ETA Center number 02-2666-0463, and says that in principle the center does not provide telephone or face-to-face consultations. It asks you to use [Ask Us] on the official website. The U.S. embassy also directs questions to the official website.

Checklist

• I typed www.k-eta.go.kr myself, or I opened the official K-ETA app.
• The address ends in go.kr.
• I first checked whether I am temporarily exempt or otherwise exempt.
• If I need to apply, I compared the fee with 10,000 KRW per person.
• I checked my passport spelling, number, and dates before paying.
• I applied early enough to allow more than 72 hours if needed, and I have approval before boarding.
• I did not pay a third-party “expedite” service.

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Sources（Checked 2026-11-11）

• K-ETA — official website (www.k-eta.go.kr)
• K-ETA — official application (www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do)
• K-ETA — Beware of NON-OFFICIAL Websites and Agencies for K-ETA (16 December 2022)
• K-ETA — Beware of Non-official Private Agency Websites (16 December 2021)
• K-ETA — Application Fee Guide
• K-ETA — Application Guide
• K-ETA — Eligible Countries / Applicants
• K-ETA — Notice about the Estimated Time for K-ETA Screening (6 April 2022)
• Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA — Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption (~12/31/2026) (29 December 2025)

Rules can change. Check the official website again before you travel or apply.