Do I Need a Visa to Travel to South Korea?

Last Updated 7.26.2023

With COVID restrictions finally lifting around the globe, it’s important to check each country’s visa requirements prior to travel. At the time of writing this article, according to the U.S. Department of State Website: From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is not required for US citizens traveling for short-term business or tourism purposes. Check the State Department’s website for the latest updates.

This means that U.S. citizens are no longer required to complete the Korean ETA form prior to traveling to Korea for a tourist visa (90 days).

What was the K-ETA?

During the COVID pandemic, the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) was a system implemented by the South Korean government to facilitate visa-free entry for short-term travelers from select countries. It allowed eligible foreign nationals to apply online for authorization before their trip, streamlining the entry process. Travelers could obtain the K-ETA electronically, simplifying their arrival process at South Korean immigration checkpoints.

Does this mean that the K-ETA is a thing of the past?

It’s impossible to guess the future, and we recommend always checking prior travel about each country’s COVID-19 and entry requirements. However, barring any emergence of new and virulent COVID strains, or future strains on the Korean healthcare system caused by surges in COVID, the flu, both of these, or other, our best bet would be that the K-ETA may not be implemented as the world moves to the endemic phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.