Do You Need Both K-ETA and Korea’s e-Arrival Card?
Updated: November 11, 2026
No. If you hold a valid K-ETA, you are exempt from submitting Korea’s arrival card.
The confusing part is that being exempt from applying for K-ETA is different from holding an approved K-ETA. If you travel under a K-ETA exemption without a valid approval, you generally still need an arrival declaration unless another exemption applies.
K-ETA and the e-Arrival Card Serve Different Purposes
K-ETA is Korea’s electronic travel authorisation for eligible visa-free travellers. The e-Arrival Card is an entry declaration providing information about you and your visit. Completing an arrival declaration does not replace a required K-ETA or visa.
The official K-ETA website lists an application fee of KRW 10,000. The e-Arrival Card is free. These are separate services, so a legitimate K-ETA application fee should not be confused with a charge for an arrival card.
Which One Applies to Your Trip?
Start with the documents you actually hold and whether they will be valid when you enter Korea. The following covers common situations; special entry categories should use the official eligibility guide.
| Your situation | Arrival declaration |
|---|---|
| You hold a valid K-ETA | Exempt. |
| You are exempt from K-ETA but do not hold an approval | Generally required unless another exemption applies. |
| You hold a Korean visa but no Korean residence card | Generally required; some categories, including group electronic visas, are exempt. |
| You hold a valid Korean residence card | Exempt, including permanent resident and overseas Korean resident cards. |
A visa exemption, a K-ETA exemption and an arrival-card exemption are not interchangeable. Check each requirement against your own travel status.
What the Temporary K-ETA Exemption Means in 2026
The current temporary exemption for designated nationalities runs through December 31, 2026, Korea Standard Time. The official tourism guidance includes the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Austria among the eligible countries. It does not cover every nationality.
For example, a British tourist using the temporary exemption, with no valid K-ETA or other arrival-card exemption, generally needs an arrival declaration. A tourist who already holds a valid K-ETA is exempt from that declaration.
Eligible travellers may voluntarily apply for K-ETA to receive its associated benefits, including arrival-card exemption, but the application fee still applies. Do not assume the temporary exemption will continue into 2027; check the official notice for your actual arrival date.
What to Do Before Departure
- Check your entry category. Confirm whether your nationality and purpose of travel require a visa, K-ETA or neither.
- Check existing documents. An old approval email is not enough to establish that your K-ETA is still valid for this trip.
- Use the official arrival-card navigator. Select the valid documents you hold to check whether a declaration is needed.
- Submit within the permitted window. Official guidance allows submission within three days before arrival, using Korea time. Have your passport, travel details, accommodation address and contact information ready.
Use the official K-ETA website for travel authorisation and the official e-Arrival Card website for the declaration.
Reader Questions
Should I submit an e-Arrival Card just in case I already have K-ETA?
A valid K-ETA makes you exempt. Check its validity rather than assuming both forms are required.
Does submitting the e-Arrival Card approve my entry?
No. It is an entry declaration, not a replacement for travel authorisation, a visa or immigration inspection.
Where should I check unusual circumstances?
Use the official declaration eligibility guide and K-ETA guidance. Travellers with special passports, group visas or other exceptional categories should avoid relying solely on a general tourist checklist.
Sources and Methodology
This guide compares official entry-declaration categories, K-ETA guidance and the current temporary-exemption notice. Requirements were checked on November 11, 2026.
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