Applying for a K-ETA is the first step for most international travelers heading to South Korea without a visa. The process is entirely online, takes about 15 minutes to complete, and costs just 10,000 KRW. But small mistakes during the application can result in delays, rejections, or even denied boarding at the airport.
This guide walks through the complete K-ETA application process for 2026, including every step of the form, accepted payment methods, and the mistakes that cause the most problems.
Before You Start: What You Need
Gather these items before opening the application. The system does not save progress reliably if you leave mid-form.
- A valid passport from a K-ETA-eligible country
- A working email address you can check during the session
- A digital photo (recent, plain background, face clearly visible)
- A credit or debit card for payment
- Your Korean accommodation address and phone number
- Flight details or at least intended travel dates
The K-ETA system accepts Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay, and Alipay+ for payment.
Official Application Channels
The only legitimate ways to apply for K-ETA are:
- Website: www.k-eta.go.kr
- Mobile app: Search “K-ETA” in the App Store or Google Play
Avoid third-party websites that claim to process K-ETA applications. These sites charge $50–$100 for a service that costs $8 on the official portal, and they offer no speed or reliability advantage. Some have been reported to mishandle personal data.
Step-by-Step Application Walkthrough
Step 1: Terms and Conditions Agreement
Open www.k-eta.go.kr or the K-ETA app. Select “Apply for K-ETA” and choose “Non-member” if you are a first-time applicant. Read and agree to the terms of service, privacy policy, and consent for personal information collection.
Step 2: Email Verification
Enter your email address. The system sends a one-time verification code. Enter the code within the time limit displayed on screen. If the code expires, request a new one.
Tip: Use an email you can access on your phone. Gmail users should check spam folders if the code does not arrive within a few minutes. There are known delays with Korean government emails reaching Gmail accounts.
Step 3: Passport Information
Enter your personal details exactly as they appear in your passport:
- Full name (as shown in the machine-readable zone)
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Passport issue date
- Passport expiry date
The system may prompt you to upload a scan or photo of your passport’s bio page.
Critical: Your name must match the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your passport exactly. If your passport shows “SMITH/JOHN” then type it that way — do not add commas, change the order, or adjust spacing.
Step 4: Application Information
Fill in your travel details:
- Purpose of visit — Tourism, business, visiting family, transit, etc.
- Arrival date — Your expected date of entry into South Korea
- Departure date — Your expected date of departure
- Address in Korea — Your hotel, Airbnb, or host’s address. Use the zip code search tool when possible instead of typing manually.
- Contact number in Korea — Use your hotel or Airbnb host’s number, not your home country number.
- Accompanying travelers — If applying for others, enter their information here (up to 30 people per batch).
Answer the health declaration and criminal history questions honestly. False answers can result in permanent entry bans.
Step 5: Photo Upload
Upload a recent photo that meets these requirements:
- Plain, light-colored background
- Face clearly visible and centered
- No hat or headwear (except for religious reasons)
- No sunglasses
- Good lighting with no shadows on the face
- Recent photo (taken within the last 6 months)
Common mistake: Uploading a selfie or a photo taken in poor lighting. Treat this like a passport photo. The AI system reads your face and compares it to your passport photo — poor quality images trigger manual review.
Step 6: Information Review
Review every field carefully before proceeding. The two most common sources of errors are:
- Passport number — One wrong digit will cause a mismatch at boarding
- Date of birth — Day/month/year confusion is surprisingly common
- Standard processing can take up to 72 hours
- Peak seasons (summer, Chuseok, Lunar New Year) may cause delays
- Airlines will deny boarding if your K-ETA is not approved
Step 7: Payment
Pay the 10,000 KRW application fee plus the approximately 3% online processing fee. The gateway requires 3D Secure authentication — make sure your card is authorized for international e-commerce transactions.
If one card fails, try a different bank’s card. This is the most common fix for payment issues.
Step 8: Application Complete
After payment, you will see a confirmation screen with your application number. Save this number. You will also receive a confirmation email. The assessment results will be sent to your email, but you can also check manually on the “Check Results” page using your passport number.
Group Applications
A single applicant can submit K-ETA applications for up to 30 people at once. This is useful for families and tour groups. Each person still needs their own passport information, photo, and details. The difference is that one person manages and pays for the entire batch.
After Submission: What to Expect
Most applications are approved within 15–30 minutes by the automated AI system. If your application is flagged for manual review, processing takes 24–72 hours.
You can check your status at any time by visiting the “Check Results” page on www.k-eta.go.kr and entering your passport number and date of birth.
When to Apply
Apply at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure. The Korea Immigration Service recommends this minimum buffer because:
If your flight is in less than 72 hours, you can still apply, but there is a risk of not receiving approval in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save my application and finish later?
The system does not reliably save partial applications. It is best to complete the entire process in one session. Have all your documents ready before you start.
What if my verification email does not arrive?
Check your spam folder first. If using Gmail, there are known delays with Korean government emails. You can also check your application status manually on the “Check Results” page using your passport number.
Can someone else apply on my behalf?
Yes, another person can submit your application as part of a group application or by entering your information directly. However, you still need to provide your own passport details, photo, and travel information.
I made a mistake on my application. Can I fix it?
Some fields (like travel dates and accommodation address) can be updated on the “Update Travel Information” page. However, passport details, name, and date of birth cannot be changed — you would need to submit a new application and pay the fee again.
Is the K-ETA app the same as the website?
Yes, the mobile app offers the same functionality as the website. The app also includes an NFC passport scanning feature that reads your passport chip directly, which can reduce typing errors.
Last updated: July 2026. Apply only through the official channels at www.k-eta.go.kr or the K-ETA mobile app.
