Republic of Korea Expands K-ETA Exemptions

Key Points  

• South Korea extended visa exemptions for its Electronic Travel Authorization system for select foreign nationals  

Extension of K-ETA Exemptions  

South Korea has formally extended the temporary exemption from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K‑ETA) requirement for nationals of countries and regions already exempt from K‑ETA. The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the exemption will remain in effect from 1 January 2026 through 31 December 2026, as published on the official K‑ETA website and in notices issued by Korean consulates. 

According to the government, travelers from exempt countries will receive a pop‑up notification confirming their exemption when they scan the passport information page during the K‑ETA application process. These travelers may still choose to apply for a K‑ETA if they want the benefits of approval, such as not needing to complete an arrival card. 

This extension is part of South Korea’s ongoing efforts to support inbound tourism and streamline entry for visa‑free travelers. 

Previous K-ETA Exemptions

South Korea extended exemptions from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) system for tourists from 22 countries. This extension will remain in place until 31 December 2025. These countries and jurisdictions include:  

• Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the U.S. 

Tourists from these countries should ensure they have completed an arrival card application. 

Don’t Miss an Update

At Envoy Global, we combine smart, friendly legal teams with smart, friendly technology to facilitate immigration for companies and the global talent they depend on. Our holistic, proactive immigration services are built for accuracy and efficiency, always putting people first.

Reach out today to learn how we can support your company’s immigration needs.