Travel guides › Korea Entry Checklist: Passport, K-ETA and Customs
Korea Entry Checklist: Passport, K-ETA and Customs
The most important preparation for any overseas trip is your entry documents. Whether you need a visa or a K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) for Korea depends on your nationality, and rules sometimes change over time. This article lays out a general order of checks. It is a guide only, and your final decision must rest on the latest information from the official bodies below.
1. Check passport validity
Check your passport's validity before you leave. The remaining validity required on entry can differ by country and airline, and it is safer to have plenty left beyond your planned stay. If the photo page is damaged or worn, consider renewing.
2. Do you need a visa or a K-ETA?
Some countries can enter without a visa and others need one. Check requirements by nationality with official sites such as the Korea Immigration Service and HiKorea, or with a Korean embassy. Information on blogs or social media may be out of date, so do not treat it as final.
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online permit that travelers from visa-exempt countries obtain before departure. Korea's Ministry of Justice announced that the temporary K-ETA exemption has been extended to December 31, 2026, and this applies only to nationals of countries that were already exempt. Exempt travelers can still apply for K-ETA if they wish, for a fee. At the time of writing, no official announcement had been confirmed on whether it will become mandatory again after 2027, so if you visit next year or later, check the official site right before you go. Apply only through the official site and be careful not to confuse it with similarly named agency sites.
3. What happens at immigration
On arrival you hand your passport to the immigration officer. Foreign visitors generally go through a procedure to register fingerprints and a facial image, and you may be asked about your purpose of visit, accommodation address and length of stay. Saving your hotel name and address and your return flight details on your phone makes the questions easier to answer. The form of the arrival card and whether it is filed electronically can change with the period, so check your airline and official guidance.
4. Customs declarations and restricted items
Depending on what you bring into Korea, a customs declaration may be required. The commonly cited standards are below, but they can change, so check Korea Customs Service guidance.
- The duty-free allowance for goods acquired abroad has been described as about US$800.
- Duty-free allowances apply to alcohol within set quantities and amounts and to tobacco within set quantities; check the exact standards with Korea Customs Service.
- Cash or securities worth more than US$10,000 must be declared.
- Agricultural and livestock products such as meat, processed meats, fruit and plants may be restricted because of quarantine. Do not bring processed foods without checking either, as some types are restricted.
5. Electricity and safety preparations
Korea uses 220 V, and sockets take two round pins. If you use a 110 V-only device you may need a transformer, and if your plug shape differs, bring an adapter. In an emergency call 112 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance, and the Korea Tourism Organization's tourist information line 1330 offers travel help in several languages. Travel insurance is also worth arranging before you leave.
A last check before departure
- Check your passport validity, visa and K-ETA status once more right before you leave.
- Save your accommodation address and contact and your return flight details.
- Prepare a SIM or eSIM and a map app.
- Check prohibited items and duty-free limits.
Rules change often. Make it a habit to check the latest information on the official sites below.
Official sources
Rules, fares and opening hours change often. Check the latest details on the official sites below.