Updated October 2026 with the latest official entry rules.
South Korea introduced the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) and electronic arrival procedures to streamline entry for international visitors. Whether you are flying into Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP), understanding how to complete your e-arrival card correctly will save you time at immigration and help you start your trip without unnecessary stress.
As of October 2026, Korea has simplified many of its arrival processes, but the requirements still vary depending on your nationality. This guide covers everything you need to know — from the K-ETA application to what to expect at the immigration counter. For a broader overview of current requirements, see our guide to K-ETA in 2026.
What Is the Korea E-Arrival Card and Who Needs One?
Since February 24, 2025, Korea has used an online e-Arrival Card (e-arrivalcard.go.kr, free, PC or smartphone) for short-stay foreign visitors who do not hold a K-ETA. You can submit it up to 3 days (72 hours) before arrival, up to the final immigration inspection. K-ETA holders, foreign residence registrants, group-visa travelers and airline crew are exempt. The paper card has been reported to remain accepted as a fallback, but confirm before travel. The other main system is the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), a pre-approval for visa-free nationals, although many nationalities are temporarily exempt (see below).
The K-ETA applies to nationals of visa-free countries, but Korea has temporarily exempted about 25 countries and regions (including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and many European countries) currently confirmed through December 31, 2026. Exempt travelers can still apply voluntarily, and the benefit is skipping the e-Arrival Card. The fee is ₩10,000 (approximately USD $7–8), non-refundable, and authorization generally lasts about 3 years (check the portal) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can use one approved K-ETA for multiple entries during the validity period.
Nationals who already hold a valid Korean visa do not need a K-ETA. Travelers from countries that require a visa must apply through the nearest Korean embassy or consulate. Always check the official Korea Immigration Service (immigration.go.kr) website for the most current country-specific requirements before your trip.
How to Apply for K-ETA: Step-by-Step
The K-ETA application is entirely online and usually takes under 10 minutes to complete. Here is the process:
- Step 1 — Visit the official site: Go to k-eta.go.kr or download the official K-ETA app. Avoid third-party websites that charge extra processing fees.
- Step 2 — Prepare your documents: You will need a valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining), a passport-sized photo (digital), an email address, and a payment method. Credit and debit cards are accepted.
- Step 3 — Fill in personal details: Enter your full name as it appears on your passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number and expiry date, and your intended accommodation in Korea (hotel name and address in Seoul, Busan, or wherever you are staying).
- Step 4 — Pay the ₩10,000 fee: Payment is processed securely online. Keep your confirmation email as proof of payment.
- Step 5 — Wait for approval: Most applications are approved within 72 hours, but approval can sometimes take up to 72 hours during busy travel seasons (summer and autumn foliage periods). Apply at least 3–5 days before departure.
- Step 6 — Save your approval: You will receive an approval notice by email. Your K-ETA is linked electronically to your passport — you do not need to print anything, but saving the email is recommended.
If your K-ETA is denied, you will need to apply for a visa at a Korean embassy. Denial reasons are not always disclosed, but common causes include prior immigration violations or incomplete information.
Arriving at Incheon Airport: What to Expect at Immigration
Incheon International Airport (ICN) handles the majority of international arrivals to Korea. Upon landing, follow signs for Immigration (입국심사). The process is as follows:
- Automatic gates (e-gates): Many nationalities, including US, EU, and Australian passport holders, can use the automated immigration kiosks. Scan your passport, scan your fingerprints, and you are through — often in under 2 minutes. No officer interaction required.
- Standard immigration counters: If you are not eligible for e-gates, join the foreign nationals queue. An officer will verify your passport, check your K-ETA status electronically, take a photo and fingerprints, and may ask basic questions about your purpose of visit and accommodation.
- Customs declaration: After collecting your baggage at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, you will pass through customs. Visitors carrying more than USD $10,000 in cash or goods exceeding the duty-free allowance of ₩800,000 must complete a paper customs declaration form available near the customs counters — see our Korea customs declaration basics guide for details on what must be declared.
- Visit Korea QR Code: Incheon Airport now also offers the optional Visit Korea QR service — a digital health and travel registration that can speed up your processing. It is not mandatory but can help during peak travel times.
At Gimpo Airport (GMP), which primarily handles flights from Japan, China, and domestic routes, the process is identical but immigration queues are generally shorter.
Important Tips Before You Travel to Korea
- Apply early: Do not apply for K-ETA on the day of travel. Allow at least 72 hours and ideally 5 business days.
- Check validity: Your K-ETA is tied to your passport. If you renew your passport before traveling, you must apply for a new K-ETA.
- Accommodation address: Have your first night’s accommodation address ready — hotel name, street address, and phone number. This is required during the application and may be asked by an immigration officer. Popular areas in Seoul include Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam.
- Return ticket: Officers may ask for proof of onward travel. Having your return or onward flight booking on your phone is advisable.
- K-ETA exemptions: Korea has temporarily waived the K-ETA requirement for certain nationalities to boost tourism; the exemption is currently confirmed through December 31, 2026. No extension into 2027 had been announced as of October 2026, so check k-eta.go.kr before booking trips from 2027 and before you fly.
Getting Connected After Immigration: SIM, eSIM, or Wi-Fi Router?
Once you clear immigration and collect your bags, the next practical step is getting online. Incheon Airport’s arrivals hall (both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) has telecom counters for SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+, plus several third-party kiosks selling tourist SIM cards and pocket Wi-Fi routers. Prices vary by duration and data allowance, and as of 2026 a 5–7 day tourist SIM typically runs somewhere in the ₩25,000–₩40,000 range — verify before visiting, since promotions and exchange rates shift often.
There are three realistic options, and which one suits you depends on your trip length and how many devices you are carrying. A physical SIM swapped at the airport counter is the simplest for a single traveler who wants one working number and does not mind losing their home SIM temporarily — you will need an unlocked phone. An eSIM, which you can buy online and activate before you even board, is usually the better choice if your phone supports it: you skip the airport queue entirely and can keep your home number active for texts and calls on a dual-SIM setup. A pocket Wi-Fi router is worth choosing over either SIM option when you are travelling as a group or family, since one router can share a connection across four or five phones and tablets — it costs more per day than a single SIM but far less than buying multiple SIMs.
A local tip that is not widely advertised on comparison sites: airport SIM/eSIM counters and kiosks tend to be busiest in the first 30–45 minutes after a major international arrival wave (roughly when two or three long-haul flights land close together). If your flight lands during a known rush — commonly late morning and early evening at Incheon — and you have a working eSIM plan pre-purchased through an app, activating it in the immigration queue or on the airport train saves you a genuine 15–20 minutes compared with joining the counter line after baggage claim.
Whichever option you choose, confirm the data allowance is enough for navigation apps and translation apps, which are the two most-used tools for first-time visitors getting from the airport into central Seoul or Busan — once connected, check our guide on getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul for the best transfer options.