Visiting Korea from United States: visa & K-ETA
United States nationals can stay up to 90 days without a visa, and K-ETA is waived until December 31, 2026. You only need to submit the e-Arrival Card from 3 days before arrival.
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
As of 2026-10 · The final decision is made by the immigration officer. Please check the official sites before you travel.
You need a visa to visit Korea
Short-term visit visa (C-3) Invitation letter helps e-Arrival Card required
Tourism and family visits usually need a short-term visit (C-3) visa. Apply about a month before departure at the Korean embassy or consulate (visa application center) in your country.
If you meet certain conditions, a multiple-entry visa is also available. Check the embassy notice.
- D-30Apply for the visa (embassy / visa center)Official site ↗
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
Staying over 90 days needs a long-term visa
Long-term visa
A short-term visit (C-3) visa allows up to 90 days. For a longer stay, get a long-term visa for your purpose before you travel.
You need a visa to visit Korea
Short-term visit visa (C-3) Invitation letter helps e-Arrival Card required
Tourism and family visits usually need a short-term visit (C-3) visa. Apply about a month before departure at the Korean embassy or consulate (visa application center) in your country.
It is much easier if your family or friend in Korea sends you an invitation letter and a letter of guarantee.
If you meet certain conditions, a multiple-entry visa is also available. Check the embassy notice.
- D-30Apply for the visa (embassy / visa center)Official site ↗
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
You need a visa to visit Korea
Short-term visit visa (C-3) Invitation letter helps e-Arrival Card required
For meetings or business talks, apply for a short-term business (C-3-4) visa. You need an invitation from the Korean company.
If you meet certain conditions, a multiple-entry visa is also available. Check the embassy notice.
- D-30Apply for the visa (embassy / visa center)Official site ↗
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
Work or study needs a long-term visa
Long-term visa
Separate from tourist entry, you must get a work (E-7, E-9, etc.) or study (D-2, D-4) visa before you travel. You cannot work after entering visa-free.
You need a visa to visit Korea
Short-term visit visa (C-3) Invitation letter helps e-Arrival Card required
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
You need a visa to stay longer than 90 days
Visa-free 90 days Long-term visa
If you will stay longer than the visa-free period, get a long-term visa for your purpose before you travel.
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
No visa is needed, but showing an invitation letter or the address of your family in Korea makes immigration smoother.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required No paid work
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
Short business trips such as meetings are allowed without a visa, but you cannot be paid to work in Korea.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
Work or study needs a long-term visa
Long-term visa
Separate from tourist entry, you must get a work (E-7, E-9, etc.) or study (D-2, D-4) visa before you travel. You cannot work after entering visa-free.
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
You need a visa to stay longer than 90 days
Visa-free 90 days Long-term visa
If you will stay longer than the visa-free period, get a long-term visa for your purpose before you travel.
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
No visa is needed, but showing an invitation letter or the address of your family in Korea makes immigration smoother.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required No paid work
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
Short business trips such as meetings are allowed without a visa, but you cannot be paid to work in Korea.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
Work or study needs a long-term visa
Long-term visa
Separate from tourist entry, you must get a work (E-7, E-9, etc.) or study (D-2, D-4) visa before you travel. You cannot work after entering visa-free.
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
You need a visa to stay longer than 90 days
Visa-free 90 days Long-term visa
If you will stay longer than the visa-free period, get a long-term visa for your purpose before you travel.
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
No visa is needed, but showing an invitation letter or the address of your family in Korea makes immigration smoother.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required No paid work
You can stay up to 90 days. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is waived until December 31, 2026, but you need to submit the e-Arrival Card, starting 3 days before you arrive.
Short business trips such as meetings are allowed without a visa, but you cannot be paid to work in Korea.
- D-3Submit the e-Arrival Card (free)Official site ↗
- +(Optional) Get a K-ETA to skip the arrival card · KRW 10,000Official site ↗
Work or study needs a long-term visa
Long-term visa
Separate from tourist entry, you must get a work (E-7, E-9, etc.) or study (D-2, D-4) visa before you travel. You cannot work after entering visa-free.
You can enter Korea without a visa
Visa-free 90 days K-ETA waived e-Arrival Card required
Before you fly
- D-30 Visa Visa-required countries only
- D-14 K-ETA 72 hours ahead (2 weeks is safer)
- D-3 e-Arrival Card From 3 days before
- D-day Immigration Hotel & return ticket
Checklist before you pack
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K-ETA vs e-Arrival Card vs visa
| K-ETA | e-Arrival Card | Short-term visa (C-3) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Visa-free nationals (except waived countries) | Foreigners without a K-ETA | Visa-required nationals |
| When | 72+ hours before departure | 3 days before arrival until immigration | About a month before |
| Cost | KRW 10,000 · 2 years | Free | Varies |
| Where | k-eta.go.kr | e-arrivalcard.go.kr | Embassy / visa center |
FAQ
Do United States citizens need a K-ETA?
It is waived until December 31, 2026; you submit the e-Arrival Card instead. If you arrive after that date, check the official K-ETA site for an extension.
My country is K-ETA waived. Can I still get one?
Yes. With a K-ETA you skip the arrival card, but the KRW 10,000 fee is not refundable.
Does a K-ETA or visa guarantee entry?
No. The immigration officer makes the final decision. Be ready to show your accommodation, return ticket and itinerary.
When and where do I submit the e-Arrival Card?
From 3 days before arrival, free of charge, on the official site (e-arrivalcard.go.kr). Beware of paid look-alike sites.
I am visiting family in Korea. What is different?
If your country needs a visa, an invitation letter and guarantee from your family help a lot. See the invitation guide for the documents.