South Korea Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | Yes | No | No |
| USA | Yes | No | No |
| Canadian | Yes | No | No |
| Australian | Yes | No | No |
| British | Yes | No | No |
Passports
To enter South Korea, a passport valid for a minimum of three months is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Nationals from numerous countries can enter South Korea without a visa for short-term stays, typically up to 90 days. This includes citizens from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many European Union member states. However, visa exemption durations can vary. Visitors can check their eligibility here.
Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA): Many visa-exempt travellers are required to obtain a K-ETA before entering South Korea. The K-ETA is valid for two years and allows multiple entries during its validity. However, as part of the "Visit Korea Year 2023-24" initiative, the K-ETA requirement has been temporarily waived for citizens from 22 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This waiver has been extended until December 31, 2025. For up-to-date information, please see this official K-ETA site.
Visa Note
All foreign visitors to South Korea are biometrically registered, and are required to have fingerprint samples and a digital photograph taken by an inspector upon entry. Children under 17 and officials of international governmental organisations are exempt from this requirement.
Validity
Validity of visa and of ETA (K-ETA) usually begins from the date of issue. ETA (K-ETA) is valid for a maximum of 3 years or it expires earlier if the passport used for the ETA (K-ETA) application expires in less than 3 years.
Transit
Some nationals who would normally require a visa may enter South Korea without a visa provided they are in transit to a third country, remain in the Seoul area, and leave South Korea within 24 hours; check with the embassy for eligibility.
Application to
Consulate (or consular section at embassy).
Working days
Allow five days for visa processing.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA
Telephone: +1 202 939 5600 (consular section).
Website: http://usa.mofa.go.kr/english/am/usa/main/
Address: NW, 2370 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, 20008,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri: 0900-1200, 1330-1730
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UK
Telephone: +44 207 227 5500.
Website: http://gbr.mofat.go.kr/eng
Address: , 83 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, London, SW1H 0HW,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1200.
