Before you fly, check two things: whether your passport needs a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, 전자여행허가) and whether you need to fill in the online e-Arrival Card (전자입국신고서). Travelers from a list of countries, including the United States, are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026; others must apply and be approved before boarding. Everyone without a K-ETA, residence card or group e-visa submits the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before landing. At customs you only fill in a declaration if you have something to declare.
What you need, at a glance
| Step | Who | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-ETA | Visa-free nationalities that are not on the temporary exemption list | Apply at least 72 hours before departure; approval is needed before boarding | KRW 10,000 plus a payment fee |
| e-Arrival Card | Almost every foreign visitor, including those exempt from the K-ETA. Not needed with a valid K-ETA, residence card or group e-visa | Within 3 days before arrival (Korea time) | Free |
| Fingerprints and photo | Foreign visitors aged 17 and over | At the immigration desk on arrival | Free |
| Customs declaration | Only if you carry items that must be declared | On arrival, by app, website or paper form | Duty only if over the allowance |
K-ETA (전자여행허가)
- What it is An online travel authorization for people who can enter Korea without a visa. You apply before your trip and the approval is linked to your passport.
- Temporary exemption The Ministry of Justice has exempted travelers from a group of countries, including the United States, from the K-ETA. The exemption runs until 31 December 2026 (Korea time). The K-ETA site shows a pop-up when you choose an exempt nationality. Whether it continues in 2027 is not something we could confirm, so check before booking a trip that starts later.
- If you are not exempt Apply at the official site k-eta.go.kr or in the K-ETA app. The fee is KRW 10,000 plus a separate online payment fee, and it is not refunded even if you are denied.
- Timing Review usually takes up to 72 hours and there is no express service. Apply at least 72 hours before your flight, and leave extra margin.
- Validity Three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can enter several times within that period, but each stay is limited to the visa-free period for your country.
- Exempt travelers can still apply The fee applies, but a K-ETA holder does not need to fill in the e-Arrival Card.
Only use the official site or app. The K-ETA site warns about fake agency websites that charge much higher fees.
e-Arrival Card (전자입국신고서)
- Where The official site is e-arrivalcard.go.kr. It is free.
- When You can submit it within the 3 days before your arrival date, counted in Korea Standard Time. If you do not enter Korea in that window you will need to submit it again.
- Who is exempt People with a valid K-ETA, a residence card, or a group e-visa.
- What happens after You do not need to print it if the online submission went through, but a screenshot of the confirmation is a handy backup.
If you hold a K-ETA but are entering on a visa, the official guidance on this case is not entirely clear. Use the navigator tool on the e-Arrival Card site, or just submit the card.
At immigration
- Fingerprints and face photo Foreign visitors aged 17 and over are scanned at the immigration desk on arrival. The exceptions are mainly foreign government officials, international organization representatives and their families, and people invited by the Korean central government.
- Documents to have ready Passport, and your return or onward ticket and accommodation details in case you are asked.
- Q-Code Needed only if you arrive from an area that Korea has designated as requiring quarantine inspection. If your flight is not from such an area, you can skip it.
Customs (세관 신고)
- Declare only if needed If you have items you must declare, file a customs declaration. You can do it in the Korea Customs Declaration for Travelers app or on the website. A family travelling together submits one form. The form can be completed in Korean or English.
- Duty-free allowance, per person Goods up to USD 800 in total. Alcohol is counted within that, up to USD 400 in value, 2 bottles and 2 liters. Cigarettes up to 200, perfume up to 100 ml. Travelers under 19 get no alcohol or tobacco exemption.
- Cash Carrying a large amount of cash may need a declaration. Check the foreign currency page of the Korea Customs Service for the current limit before you carry a large sum.
Food, plants and quarantine
- Meat and animal products Meat, processed meat, egg and dairy products and similar items must be declared to the quarantine officer. Some are simply not allowed, depending on the country they come from.
- Fruit, vegetables and plants All fresh fruit and fruit-bearing vegetables are prohibited imports. Declare live plants, flowers, seeds, wood and medicinal herbs.
- Cooked foods Cooked or processed plant foods such as kimchi and rice cakes are not inspected.
- Fines Failing to declare livestock products, or bringing in plants without inspection, can lead to a fine. The airport page does not list amounts, so ask the quarantine desk if you are not sure.
- Pets Dogs, cats and other animals need a quarantine certificate from the departure country.
- Farm visit abroad If you visited a livestock farm before coming, avoid contact with livestock for 5 days after you enter.
When in doubt, tick the box on the form and show the item. Declaring is much safer than being found with it.
Step by step: before you fly
- Check on the K-ETA site whether your nationality is exempt. If not, apply at least 3 days before departure.
- Pack without fresh fruit, raw meat or plants. Leave sealed snacks you are unsure of at home or ask the airline.
- In the 3 days before landing, submit the e-Arrival Card (skip this if you hold a K-ETA).
- On arrival, go through immigration with your passport, then collect your bags.
- If you have something to declare, use the declaration lane or the app. If not, walk through.
FAQ
Do I need a K-ETA if I am from the United States?
Not at the moment. Nationals of the United States and other listed countries are exempt until 31 December 2026. The exemption is temporary, so check the K-ETA site if your trip is later.
If I am exempt from the K-ETA, do I still fill in the e-Arrival Card?
Yes. The card is separate. Only holders of a K-ETA, a residence card or a group e-visa are exempt from it.
Can I fill in the e-Arrival Card a week early?
No. It opens within 3 days before arrival. Submit it once you are inside that window.
Do I have to declare everything at customs?
No. You declare only things that must be declared, such as goods above the allowance, animal and plant products, or large amounts of cash.
Can I bring packaged snacks from home?
Sealed processed foods are often fine, but meat and dairy products are regulated. If a snack contains meat, check the quarantine rules or declare it.
Sources and last check
Checked against the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) site run by the Korea Immigration Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice on the exemption extension, the e-Arrival Card portal, Visit Korea (Korea Tourism Organization) and Incheon Airport's quarantine guidance, checked on 28 October 2026. Rules and dates change, so confirm on the official sites before you travel.