K-ETA

Who is exempt from the K-ETA?

Not every visitor needs a K-ETA. Children, seniors, transit passengers, cruise passengers, crew and visa holders are among the exceptions — and Jeju Island is not one of them.

Updated 3 October 2026 · 6 min read

By age: 17 and under, 65 and over
By nationality: 22 countries until 31 Dec 2026
Jeju Island: No exemption for K-ETA countries

Children and seniors

Since 3 July 2023, travellers who are 17 or under, or 65 or over on the date they enter Korea do not need a K-ETA. They complete the arrival card instead. They can still apply voluntarily — a K-ETA lets them skip the arrival card on every trip for three years. Families often apply for the whole group so that everyone follows the same process.

The 22 temporarily exempt countries and territories

Until 31 December 2026, nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States (including Guam) can enter without a K-ETA. A K-ETA already issued stays valid for its full term. See who needs a K-ETA for what may change in 2027.

Not exempt — or want to skip the arrival card?

Apply for your K-ETA with our guided form. Approval is valid for three years and covers trips after 2026.

Start my K-ETA application

Transit passengers

If you change planes in Korea without passing through immigration, you do not need a K-ETA. You do need one if you go through immigration — to collect and re-check luggage, to leave the airport during a layover, or because your itinerary changes.

Cruise passengers and crew

Cruise passengers are exempt from the K-ETA. On-duty aircrew and seafarers are exempt too.

Visa and residence card holders

Travellers who hold a valid Korean visa or a Korean residence card do not need a K-ETA. If you have both a K-ETA and a visa, the visa determines the conditions of your stay.

Other exempt travellers

Holders of diplomatic, official or United Nations passports.
APEC Business Travel Card holders whose card is valid for Korea (it shows “KOR”).
Active-duty U.S. service members under the SOFA; their dependents need a K-ETA unless they hold an A-3 visa or SOFA stamp.
Korean nationals, including dual nationals travelling on a valid Korean passport.

Jeju Island: a common misunderstanding

Jeju has its own 30-day visa-free programme, but it is designed for nationalities that are not covered by the K-ETA system. If your country is a K-ETA country, you still need a K-ETA even when flying or sailing directly to Jeju.