Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Most nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days. K-ETA is temporarily waived for 67 countries/regions through 31 Dec 2026.
- Visa-free stay
- Up to 90 days for most nationalities
- K-ETA
- Temporarily waived for 67 countries through 31 Dec 2026
- When required
- Apply online at k-eta.go.kr, ~10,000 KRW, valid ~3 years
- K-ETA is not a visa; final entry decision rests with the immigration officer
- Check your nationality on the official K-ETA site before travel
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. Carry it at all times as ID.
- Validity
- Valid for your whole stay
- Blank pages
- At least one for the entry stamp
- Carry it
- Keep your passport as ID during the trip
- Check your airline's specific validity rules before flying
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
Carry your passport, return/onward ticket, and accommodation details. Submit the e-Arrival Card online before arrival if applicable.
- Passport
- Valid for your stay
- e-Arrival Card
- File free at e-arrivalcard.go.kr up to 72h before
- Proof of onward travel
- Return/onward ticket + hotel booking
- K-ETA holders are exempt from the arrival card requirement
- Have your first-night address ready
Pre-arrival procedure — e-Arrival Card: free online arrival card, submittable from about 3 days (72h) before arrival. K-ETA holders and registered residents are generally exempt. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official e-Arrival Card site (e-arrivalcard.go.kr)- Family name
- SMITH
- First / given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. UNITED STATES)
- Passport No.
- A1234567
- Date of birth
- 1990-05-20
- Flight No.
- KE702
- Date of arrival
- 2026-04-10
- Purpose of visit
- TOURISM
- Address in Korea
- Hotel name & address (e.g. a hotel in Seoul)
How to submit
- 1 Open the official site e-arrivalcard.go.kr and start a new arrival card.
- 2 Enter passport and personal information.
- 3 Enter travel details and your first-night address in Korea.
- 4 Review all entries and correct any errors.
- 5 Submit and save the confirmation (screenshot) to show on arrival if asked.
Exemptions, fees and conditions can change; confirm the current requirements on the official site before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
Declare foreign currency/means of payment exceeding USD 10,000 (or equivalent) on arrival. Failure to declare can lead to penalties.
- Threshold
- Over USD 10,000 (or equivalent)
- Applies to
- Cash, checks and negotiable instruments
- How
- Declare to customs on arrival
- Non-declaration may result in fines or seizure
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Duty-free allowance is USD 800 of goods, plus separate allowances for alcohol, tobacco and perfume. Declare anything over the limit.
- Goods
- Up to USD 800 total
- Alcohol
- 2 bottles (total 2L, up to USD 400), age 19+
- Tobacco/perfume
- 200 cigarettes; 100ml perfume, age 19+
- Minors (by birth year) get no alcohol/tobacco allowance
- Use the Red Channel to declare goods over the limit
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods and endangered-species products are banned. Meat, fresh produce and some plants need quarantine and are often prohibited.
- Banned
- Narcotics, weapons, counterfeits, CITES items
- Quarantine
- Meat, fruit, plants, live animals must be declared
- Penalties
- Undeclared items can be seized/fined
- Declare any food, medicine or gifts if unsure
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring personal medicines in original packaging with a prescription or doctor's note. Some drugs (e.g. certain stimulants/opioids) are tightly controlled.
- Keep original packaging
- Plus prescription or doctor's letter
- Controlled drugs
- Some psychotropics/narcotics need prior approval
- Quantity
- Personal-use amounts only
- Check controlled-substance rules with MFDS before travel
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
No vaccinations are required for entry. Keep routine vaccines up to date; some travelers consider hepatitis A/B.
- Required
- None for entry
- Recommended
- Routine vaccines; hepatitis A/B for some
- Yellow fever
- Not required
- Consult a travel clinic for personal advice
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Follow signs to immigration, present your passport (and e-Arrival Card/K-ETA if applicable), then collect bags and clear customs via Red/Green channel.
- Steps
- Immigration → baggage → customs
- Documents
- Passport; e-Arrival Card unless K-ETA holder
- Channels
- Green (nothing to declare) / Red (declare)
- Fingerprints/photo may be taken for many foreign visitors
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Save the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline (24h, multilingual). Arrivals are smooth; pick up a T-money card or WOWPASS at the airport.
- 1330 hotline
- 24h multilingual travel help
- Transit card
- T-money / WOWPASS from airport
- Connectivity
- SIM/eSIM counters at Incheon
- AREX train links Incheon Airport to central Seoul