🛂 Entering South Korea in 2025 — K-ETA, e-Arrival Card & Visa Types

Here’s a clear, up-to-date guide to enter Korea — whether you visit visa-free as a traveler or plan a longer stay for study or work.

PART 1 — Travelers (Visa-Free / K-ETA / e-Arrival Card)

1) Do you need K-ETA ?

Some nationalities are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until Dec 31, 2025, while others must still apply before boarding. Because eligibility varies by passport, always check the official list here:

K-ETA official website: k-eta.go.kr → Notice / Eligible & Exempt Countries.

Good to know: If you hold a valid K-ETA, you typically don’t fill the paper arrival card.

2) e-Arrival Card (from Feb 24, 2025)

You can submit your entry card online within 3 days before arrival — it’s free and speeds up immigration:

e-arrivalcard.go.kr

During the 2025 transition, the paper card remains available; online is recommended.

3) Documents to prepare (short stays)

Passport valid for the whole stay (some airlines expect 6 months).
Return or onward ticket + accommodation details.
K-ETA approval (if your nationality requires it).
e-Arrival Card confirmation (if submitted online).

4) On arrival

Immigration: biometric capture → entry stamp / eGate (if eligible).
Customs: red/green channel; duty-free limits apply.

Passeport

PART 2 — Visas for Study, Work & Longer Stays (Overview)

Below is a practical map of the main visa families. Requirements vary by nationality and program; always verify with the embassy/consulate and Korea Immigration Service.

A) Short-term & general visit

C-3 (Short-term Visit) — up to 90 days depending on nationality/purpose; used when visa-free/K-ETA isn’t available or for specific business visits.

B) Study & training

D-2 (Student) — university/graduate programs; ARC required within 90 days of entry.
D-4 (Language/Training) — Korean language institutes and some traineeships.

C) Employment

E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor) — licensed institutions; degree + background/health checks.
E-7 (Designated Activities) — company-sponsored skilled roles (sub-classes by occupation).

D) Working Holiday

H-1 — bilateral youth program (age limits by country); travel plus limited work rights (up to 1 year).

E) Long-term residence & family

F-series — resident/permanent/overseas Korean/marriage categories; some routes use a points system (KIIP helpful).

After arrival (non-tourist visas): ARC

Stays over 90 days require a Residence Card (ARC). Book online on HiKorea → “Reserve Visit”.

Visa

🔗 Useful Contacts (works for any nationality)

Korea Immigration Service (MoJ) — info & contact centre: 1345 (in Korea) / +82-2-1345 (from abroad). Website: immigration.go.kr
HiKorea e-services — reservations, applications, ARC: hikorea.go.kr
Korea Visa Portal — visa categories & procedures: visa.go.kr
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ROK) — find the embassy/consulate responsible for your country: overseas.mofa.go.kr
K-ETA official — eligibility list & application: k-eta.go.kr
e-Arrival Card — online entry form: e-arrivalcard.go.kr

Contacts

Quick FAQs

Is everyone exempt from K-ETA? No. Only certain passports are temporarily exempt until Dec 31, 2025. Check the official list on k-eta.go.kr.
Is the e-Arrival Card mandatory? It’s available from Feb 24, 2025; paper cards are still accepted during 2025. The online form is faster.
Do I need a visa for SMS-verified apps? Not for entry — but you may need a Korean 010 number (see our eSIM/SIM guide) and, for long stays, the correct visa + ARC.