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 as a tourist for up to 90 days, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Visas
Nationals of numerous countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most EU states, may enter South Korea without a visa for short-term stays (typically up to 90 days). However, many of these travellers still need to obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) before departure. South Korea has temporarily waived the K-ETA requirement for eligible nationals until 31 December 2026, but this policy may change at short notice. Visitors should verify eligibility and apply via the official K-ETA website.
Validity
South Korea's tourist visas usually allow stays of up to 90 days, with single- or double-entry visas typically valid for 90 days and some multiple-entry visas valid from one to five years, though the permitted stay per visit still varies by nationality and visa type.
Travellers from visa-exempt countries generally do not need a visa for short visits but may require a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation), which is valid for three years from the date of approval and allows multiple entries during its validity. The length of stay granted under K-ETA is determined by nationality, and for many visitors this is up to 90 days per entry.
Transit
You may or may not need a transit visa for South Korea depending on your nationality, itinerary, and whether you plan to leave the airport during your lay-over. Travellers who remain airside in the international transit area, such as at Incheon International Airport, and depart on the same day without passing through immigration generally do not require a transit visa.
Application to
For e-Visa, visit https://www.visa.go.kr.
For K-ETA, visit https://www.k-eta.go.kr.
Working days
Processing times for a South Korea visa vary, but standard tourist applications can take up to 20 working days, while some may be approved in as little as 72 hours or within a few weeks, depending on the applicant's nationality and circumstances.
Sufficient Funds
South Korea may require visitors to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of their stay, particularly when applying for a tourist visa or when requested by immigration officers on arrival. While visa-free travellers are not routinely asked for financial documents, they should still be prepared to show proof of adequate funds if requested.
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.
