South Korea entry requirements, by passport

Passport

Visa-free tourist stays: passport must be valid beyond your departure date from Korea (no fixed minimum; US State Dept: 'no minimum expiration validity requirement'). Long-term visas: at least 6 months from arrival (FCDO). Passport must be undamaged (French MFA). Airlines may apply stricter rules. Safe standard: valid for your whole stay.

Arrival card

Korea e-Arrival Card (online) or paper arrival card. Online within 72 hours (3 days) before arrival, or on paper on arrival. Online pre-registration is optional (Dutch MFA: 'not mandatory'). Free; beware fee-charging copycat sites. Approved K-ETA holders do not need to submit an arrival card: Korean embassy notices (29 Dec 2025, 5 Jan 2026) say K-ETA-exempt travellers who want benefits 'such as not having to submit an arrival card' may apply for K-ETA and pay the fee. Fee: Free.

Official form · free on the official site

Border systems for every visitor

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is required before check-in for visa-free nationals, except those on the temporary exemption list. Official list (Korean Embassy in Switzerland, updated 13 Dec 2024): Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao; Canada, US, Guam; UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria; Australia, New Zealand; plus Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The Ministry of Justice extended the exemption for all currently exempt countries/regions from 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2026 (KST) (Korean embassy notices of 29 Dec 2025 and 5 Jan 2026). Irish DFA says Irish nationals are also exempt to 31 Dec 2026 (Ireland is not on the Dec 2024 list). US and Dutch pages state K-ETA will be required from 1 Jan 2027. Fee KRW 10,000 (non-refundable); valid 3 years from approval for applications from 3 Jul 2023 (Korean Embassy in Ireland). Results normally within 72 hours but can take longer. Apply only on k-eta.go.kr. K-ETA holders are spared the arrival card, so exempt travellers may apply voluntarily.

Onward ticket

Visa-free visitors must hold an onward or return ticket.

Travel insurance

Not required for entry; recommended (NZ SafeTravel advises comprehensive cover).

Vaccinations

No vaccinations required (US State Dept). Travellers arriving from 'Quarantine Inspection Required Areas' (including the UK and Canada) who have symptoms must submit a health questionnaire via Q-CODE (can be registered up to 7 days before arrival) or on paper; non-compliance can be fined up to KRW 10 million.

Cash to declare at customs

Generally reported: declare cash/means of payment over USD 10,000 equivalent on entry or exit (not confirmed on an official page this pass; the US State Dept page summary reads 'no declaration needed on entry or exit', which conflicts). Gold, firearms and radio equipment are restricted.

Taxes, levies and fees

No tourist or departure tax collected separately (departure fees are included in air tickets) - unverified this session.

Medicines, vapes and banned items

Controlled medicines (narcotic/psychotropic, amphetamine-type e.g. methylphenidate/ADHD medication, opioids) need an import permit/prior approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety even with a prescription; apply before arrival. Cannabis, CBD and hemp products are illegal even with a prescription. Poppy seeds and products containing them (e.g. some bagel seasonings) are illegal. Declare anything prohibited or dutiable.

Travelling with children

No specific consent-letter rule published. Children under 17 are exempt from biometric registration. Children with one Korean parent are treated as Korean citizens until 18 even if born abroad; male dual nationals may be liable for military service.