Here's the good news I give every friend planning a trip: in 2026, most tourists don't need a visa for Korea, and right now you probably don't even need a K-ETA. Let me walk you through it so you know exactly what applies to you.

Most tourists enter visa-free

If you're from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, or most of the EU, you can enter Korea visa-free as a tourist, usually for up to 90 days. You don't apply for anything in advance; you just arrive with a valid passport. A few nationalities get shorter windows, and citizens of countries not on the visa-waiver list do need to apply for a visa at a Korean embassy before traveling. If you're not sure which group you're in, check the official list for your nationality.

What is a K-ETA, and do you need one?

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is a quick online travel authorization that visa-free visitors normally complete before flying. Here's the part that confuses people in 2026: Korea has temporarily waived K-ETA for visa-free nationals through December 31, 2026, to encourage tourism. So for most visitors right now, you need neither a visa nor a K-ETA, just your passport.

From January 1, 2027, the K-ETA requirement is scheduled to return. If your trip falls in 2027 or later, plan to apply online a few days before you fly, not at the airport.

What you actually need at the airport

  • A passport valid for 6+ months.
  • A return or onward ticket. Immigration can ask to see it.
  • Proof of where you're staying. A hotel booking or an address is enough.
  • A completed arrival card, handed out on the plane.

A few visa questions I hear a lot

  • Can I work on a tourist entry? No. Visa-free entry and K-ETA cover tourism and short business only; working or teaching needs the right visa.
  • Can I extend my stay? Short visa-free stays generally can't be extended. For any status change you'd use HiKorea, the official immigration portal.
  • Do the rules change often? Yes. Entry policies shift, so always confirm on the official site close to your departure date.
The 2026 short version: passport, return ticket, somewhere to stay, and you're in. Just double-check the K-ETA status for your exact travel dates, because it's set to come back in 2027.

Visa and K-ETA rules here are checked against KTO VisitKorea and HiKorea. Entry rules change, so confirm for your nationality close to your travel dates.