The e-Arrival Card official homepage — individual filing, group filing, checking/editing, and notices all live on this one page.
Before you get stuck at the airport not knowing what to submit, or get fooled by a site charging for something free — here's what to do, sorted by nationality.
Last checked September 19, 2026 — this area changes often, so double-check the official site before you fly.
The e-Arrival Card official homepage — individual filing, group filing, checking/editing, and notices all live on this one page.
If you've searched "do I need K-ETA?" or "what's an arrival card?" while planning your Busan trip, the results probably made it more confusing, not less.
A lot of what's out there is outdated, and some sites even charge a fee to "handle" something that's actually free.
There are really only three concepts to untangle, so let's do that first, then get straight to "what does my nationality actually need to do."
| Term | What it is |
|---|---|
| Visa | Pre-approval needed for long stays, or for non-tourist purposes like work or study |
| K-ETA | A pre-travel authorization for nationals of visa-free countries visiting short-term (it goes through a review, and can be approved or denied) |
| e-Arrival Card | The entry declaration you submit on arrival — the online version of the old paper card |
If you already have an approved K-ETA, you don't need to submit the e-Arrival Card separately. Remember that one relationship and everything below gets much easier.
Find which of these four groups you fall into.
Examples: the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and some European countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands (22 countries and regions in total; temporary exemption runs through December 31, 2026)
No K-ETA needed → but you must submit the e-Arrival Card
Examples: Thailand, Malaysia, and many others
You need a regular K-ETA application (once approved, the e-Arrival Card is waived)
Examples: China, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and many others
Apply for a visa first (embassy/consulate) → even with a visa, you still submit the e-Arrival Card separately
Exempt from both
It's been extended and adjusted every year since it started in 2023, and the exact current list is updated per country.
Checking your own nationality on the official tools below is the most reliable way to know for sure.
Check your own situation in one minute
If you're in group ①, or entering on a visa under ③, here's what to do.
Make sure the address is exactly e-arrivalcard.go.kr (watch for lookalike sites — more on that just below)
You can switch to Korean, English, and other languages
Photograph or upload your passport's photo page, and OCR auto-fills your name, passport number, and other details
Enter your arrival date, flight info, accommodation address, and contact details
Save the issue number emailed to you after submission (not strictly required, but handy to have)
The e-Arrival Card is a government-run service that's completely free.
But some sites that show up as ads charge an "agency fee" to submit the exact same information for you. They aren't the official site, so there's no reason to pay them anything.
Type e-arrivalcard.go.kr directly into your address bar, or skip links marked "Sponsored" in search results and double-check the domain is the official one.
Apply on the official K-ETA site at least a few days before departure (the official recommendation is 72+ hours). The fee is KRW 10,000, and once approved it's valid for 3 years.
Even if you're in group ① and don't need one, you can still apply for K-ETA voluntarily — once approved, you skip the e-Arrival Card on every future trip, which can actually be more convenient if you visit Korea often.
K-ETA isn't automatic — it goes through a review, and here are the most common reasons it gets denied.
If you're denied, you can reapply right away with no limit on attempts (though the fee applies again each time).
Denial happens during the pre-travel review, though, so if you show up at the airport without an approval, the airline can deny you boarding. That's part of why "apply 72+ hours ahead" matters — it leaves you time to reapply or switch to a visa if you get turned down.
First check whether your nationality is currently exempt from K-ETA — if it is, submit the e-Arrival Card; if not, get K-ETA (or a visa). That's the whole order to remember.
If you're still unsure, start with the Navigator on the e-Arrival Card site.
This article is for general information only, not legal or administrative advice. Always confirm your specific nationality's requirements on the official K-ETA and e-Arrival Card sites.