Korean visas

Business trip to Korea on a K-ETA: what you can and cannot do

Most business visitors to Korea do not need a visa — only an approved K-ETA. But the line between a business visit and work is strict. Here is where it lies.

Updated 3 October 2026 · 6 min read

Allowed: Meetings, conferences, contracts, market research
Not allowed: Any paid work in Korea
Length of stay: Visa-free period of your nationality

What a K-ETA allows

Meetings with clients, partners and suppliers.
Attending conferences, seminars and trade fairs.
Negotiating and signing contracts.
Market research and business liaison.
Visiting your company’s Korean office or a factory, without working there.

Your business trip starts with a K-ETA

Plain-English questions, a check by our team before submission and support 7 days a week.

Start my K-ETA application

What requires a visa

Any activity that is paid in Korea or produces work there requires an appropriate status, even for a short stay:

installing, repairing or maintaining equipment — usually C-4;
paid lectures, training or performances — C-4 or E categories;
assignments to a Korean branch — D-7;
being hired by a Korean company — usually E-7.

Working without the right status can lead to fines, removal and entry bans. See Korea business visas.

Grey areas

Trade fairs: representing your employer at a stand is generally treated as business liaison; selling to the public and being paid locally is not. Training sessions: receiving training is fine, delivering paid training to a Korean client usually needs a C-4. Long remote-work stays: Korea created the F-1-D workation visa for people working remotely for a foreign employer over several months. When in doubt, ask the Korean embassy before travelling.

Documents to carry

Your approved K-ETA confirmation (or your exemption).
An invitation letter or meeting schedule from your Korean contacts.
Proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket.
A letter from your employer confirming the purpose of the trip.

At immigration

Visitors aged 17 and over give their fingerprints and a facial photo at immigration. If asked, state the purpose of your trip clearly — “business meetings” — consistent with your K-ETA application. Read arriving in Korea for the full process.

Frequent business travellers and 2027

If your country is among the 22 temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026, plan ahead: unless the exemption is extended, a K-ETA will be needed from 2027. A K-ETA obtained now is valid for three years and multiple trips — apply once and travel freely. Nationals of eligible countries can also pre-register for Korea’s Smart Entry Service to use automated gates.