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13 ways to enter

South Korea visas

South Korea tourist visa

Eligible passport holders can visit without a visa, usually with K-ETA approval. Other visitors need a visa unless they qualify for a special tourist scheme.

Ways to get a South Korea tourist visa

  1. K-ETA: up to 6 months

    eTA needed

    Holders of ordinary Canadian passports may apply for K-ETA, an online travel permit.

    Stay
    Up to 6 months.

    Passports that qualify (1)

    1. Apply for K-ETA before departure.
    2. Get approval before travelling, unless a K-ETA exemption applies.

  2. K-ETA: up to 90 days

    eTA needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed places may apply. This route also covers European Union member states except Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days. British nationals other than British citizens have a 30-day limit.
    1. Apply for K-ETA before departure.
    2. Get approval before travelling, unless a K-ETA exemption applies.

  4. K-ETA: up to 60 days

    eTA needed

    Ordinary passport holders from Lesotho and Russia may apply for K-ETA, an online travel permit.

    Stay
    Up to 60 days.

    Passports that qualify (2)

    1. Apply for K-ETA before departure.
    2. Get approval before travelling, unless a K-ETA exemption applies.

  5. K-ETA: up to 30 days

    eTA needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed places may apply for K-ETA, an online travel permit.

    Stay
    Up to 30 days.
    1. Apply for K-ETA before departure.
    2. Get approval before travelling, unless a K-ETA exemption applies.

  6. Visa from an embassy or consulate

    Visa needed

    Visitors who need a visa, including those whose K-ETA application is rejected, can apply at a South Korean embassy or consulate.

  7. Jeju Visa Waiver Program

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders can qualify, except citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen. Exceptions to this exclusion are described below.

    Stay
    Up to 30 days in Jeju Province.
    1. Check that you meet the passport rules or an exception.
    2. Get K-ETA approval before your flight.
    3. Enter on a direct international flight landing at Jeju International Airport.

  8. Visa-free Chinese tour groups

    No visa needed

    Chinese citizens travelling in a group of at least three people, accompanied by a representative of a tour operator registered in both countries, can qualify.

    Stay
    Up to 15 days.
    Valid for
    The scheme runs from 29 September 2025 to 31 December 2026.

    Passports that qualify (1)

    1. Join a tour group of at least three people.
    2. Travel with a representative of a tour operator registered in both countries.

  9. Visa-free tour groups through Yangyang

    No visa needed

    Tourist groups from Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines and Vietnam can qualify when arriving through Yangyang International Airport.

    Stay
    Up to 15 days.
    Valid for
    The scheme is extended annually from June to the following May.

    Passports that qualify (4)

    1. Travel as part of an eligible tourist group.
    2. Arrive through Yangyang International Airport.

  10. Visa-free tour groups through Muan

    No visa needed

    Tourist groups from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam can qualify when arriving through Muan International Airport.

    Stay
    Up to 15 days.
    Valid for
    The scheme is extended annually from April to the following March.

    Passports that qualify (3)

    1. Travel as part of an eligible tourist group.
    2. Arrive through Muan International Airport.

  11. Chinese group tours to Jeju through the mainland

    No visa needed

    Mainland Chinese citizens travelling with an authorised travel agent can qualify when travelling to Jeju through Seoul, Busan, Cheongju, Muan or Yangyang.

    Stay
    Up to 15 days on Jeju and an additional 5 days in mainland South Korea.

    Passports that qualify (1)

    1. Join a tourist group with an authorised travel agent.
    2. Travel to Jeju International Airport through Seoul, Busan, Cheongju, Muan or Yangyang.

  12. Groups holding Japanese group tour visas

    No visa needed

    Tourist groups holding Japanese group tour visas are described as eligible for a visa-free group visit.

    Stay
    Up to 15 days.

  13. Chinese school group visits

    No visa needed

    Groups of Chinese primary or high school students can qualify when supervised by authorised school staff.

    Stay
    Up to 30 days.

    Passports that qualify (1)

Who needs it

Visitors who do not qualify for visa-free entry must get a visa from a South Korean embassy or consulate.

Who doesn't

Eligible ordinary passport holders and visitors who meet the rules of a special tourist scheme can enter without a visa.

How to apply

  1. Check whether your passport qualifies for K-ETA or another visa-free route.
  2. If K-ETA is required, get approval before departure.
  3. If you do not qualify, or your K-ETA application is rejected, apply for a visa at a South Korean embassy or consulate.

What to bring

  • An eligible ordinary passport for the K-ETA route.

Good to know

  • Follow the stay limit for your passport and entry route.
  • Special tourist schemes may restrict where you can travel and which airport you can use.
  • A temporary K-ETA exemption runs from 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2026, but the affected passports are not identified here.
  • Some stay limits have additional conditions that are not clearly linked to individual passports in the supplied information.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for South Korea?

Visitors who do not qualify for visa-free entry must get a visa from a South Korean embassy or consulate. Eligible ordinary passport holders and visitors who meet the rules of a special tourist scheme can enter without a visa.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for South Korea?

There are 13 options: K-ETA: up to 6 months (an online travel permit); K-ETA: up to 90 days (an online travel permit); K-ETA: up to 3 months (an online travel permit); K-ETA: up to 60 days (an online travel permit); K-ETA: up to 30 days (an online travel permit); Visa from an embassy or consulate (a visa from an embassy); Jeju Visa Waiver Program (no visa at all); Visa-free Chinese tour groups (no visa at all); Visa-free tour groups through Yangyang (no visa at all); Visa-free tour groups through Muan (no visa at all); Chinese group tours to Jeju through the mainland (no visa at all); Groups holding Japanese group tour visas (no visa at all); Chinese school group visits (no visa at all).

Who can go to South Korea without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders can qualify, except citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen. Exceptions to this exclusion are described below. Chinese citizens travelling in a group of at least three people, accompanied by a representative of a tour operator registered in both countries, can qualify. Tourist groups from Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines and Vietnam can qualify when arriving through Yangyang International Airport. Tourist groups from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam can qualify when arriving through Muan International Airport. Mainland Chinese citizens travelling with an authorised travel agent can qualify when travelling to Jeju through Seoul, Busan, Cheongju, Muan or Yangyang. Tourist groups holding Japanese group tour visas are described as eligible for a visa-free group visit. Groups of Chinese primary or high school students can qualify when supervised by authorised school staff.

Can I apply online for South Korea?

Yes: K-ETA: up to 6 months, K-ETA: up to 90 days, K-ETA: up to 3 months, K-ETA: up to 60 days and K-ETA: up to 30 days. Holders of ordinary Canadian passports may apply for K-ETA, an online travel permit.

How long can I stay on a South Korea tourist visa?

From 30 days to 6 months under the ordinary-passport K-ETA routes, depending on the passport.

What documents do I need for a South Korea tourist visa?

An eligible ordinary passport for the K-ETA route..

How do I apply for a South Korea tourist visa?

1. 1. Check whether your passport qualifies for K-ETA or another visa-free route. 2. 2. If K-ETA is required, get approval before departure. 3. 3. If you do not qualify, or your K-ETA application is rejected, apply for a visa at a South Korean embassy or consulate.

What rules do I have to follow on a South Korea tourist visa?

Follow the stay limit for your passport and entry route. Special tourist schemes may restrict where you can travel and which airport you can use.

Does my passport change whether I need a tourist visa for South Korea?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the South Korea visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

Can a tourist visa for South Korea be refused?

Yes. Officials can refuse a visa or entry, even after you apply. Give true answers, bring the documents asked for, and keep proof of your onward trip and money.

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