Korea keeps K-ETA waiver for tourists through 2026

South Korea has extended its temporary waiver of the K‑ETA requirement for select nationalities through December 31, 2026, following the 10th National Tourism Strategy Meeting on September 25, 2025. The move aims to keep entry simple for key markets while the government pursues broader tourism reforms and a 30 million visitor target by 2030. Some foreign government pages may still show the previous end date of December 31, 2025, so travelers should rely on Korean sources for the latest update.

Who is eligible for the K‑ETA exemption
The temporary K‑ETA waiver applies to the same group previously exempt in 2023–2025. That list includes:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City

Permitted stay and visa types
– Tourist and short business visits: Most visa‑exempt nationals can stay up to 90 days per entry. Duration can vary by nationality, so confirm on official pages before travel.
– Student, work, or long‑stay purposes: A visa is still required. The K‑ETA waiver does not change long‑stay or employment rules.

e‑Arrival Card timeline and how it fits with K‑ETA
– Launch and transition: The e‑Arrival Card started on February 24, 2025. Paper arrival cards continue through December 2025. From January 2026 the electronic arrival card becomes standard. 
– Interaction with K‑ETA: Travelers holding a valid K‑ETA are exempt from submitting the e‑Arrival Card. During the exemption period, applying for K‑ETA remains optional but still provides this benefit.

e‑Arrival Card quick steps
1) Submit online up to three days before arrival. 2) Keep your confirmation. 3) Ensure details match your passport and itinerary. The service is free. Official site: see Sources below. 

Passport validity and entry tips
– Passport validity: For short tourist stays there is no fixed minimum validity beyond the date of entry, but your passport must remain valid throughout your stay. The UK advises that your passport should be valid at least until you depart. Always confirm with your airline. 
– No general Visa on Arrival: Nationals who are not visa‑exempt should obtain a visa before travel.

Key dates
– April 1, 2023: Initial K‑ETA waiver began for about 22 nationalities.
– December 11–19, 2024: Waiver extended through December 31, 2025.
– February 24, 2025: e‑Arrival Card service launched. 
– September 25, 2025: Waiver extended again through December 31, 2026. 
– January 1, 2026: e‑Arrival Card becomes the standard in place of paper forms. K‑ETA remains waived for eligible nationals through 2026. 

Traveler checklist
– Verify your nationality’s status on the K‑ETA site before booking
– If you want arrival‑card exemption in 2025, consider getting a K‑ETA even if waived
– From 2026, complete the e‑Arrival Card unless exempt via K‑ETA or residence status
– Check your permitted stay length based on nationality
– Keep your passport valid for the whole trip and confirm airline rules

Official websites for applications and information
– K‑ETA information and application. k-eta.go.kr
– Korea Immigration Service update page for e‑Arrival Card. moj.go.kr

Sources
– Korea Herald report on the 10th National Tourism Strategy Meeting and K‑ETA waiver extension to end‑2026, via Daum. v.daum.net
– Asia Economy overview of policy announcements at the 10th National Tourism Strategy Meeting. cm.asiae.co.kr
– Ministry of Justice timeline noting e‑Arrival Card launch and transition. moj.go.kr