The K-ETA exemption for many visa-free countries ends on 31 December 2026. If you plan to land in Korea in 2027, you may need an approved K-ETA before you board. This post shows how to apply for K-ETA on the official site, with the fee, photo rules, and timing.
Not sure if your passport needs one? Read K-ETA 2027: Do You Need One for Korea? first, then come back here.
How to Apply for K-ETA: Quick Answer
Apply only on the official K-ETA website or the official K-ETA mobile app. You need a passport, a credit card, an email address, and a recent photo. The fee is 10,000 won (~US$7-8), and the result usually arrives by email within 72 hours.
| Item | Detail (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Official website | www.k-eta.go.kr |
| Official app | "K-ETA" by the Ministry of Justice |
| Fee | 10,000 won (~US$7-8) |
| Result time | Usually within 72 hours, can be longer |
| When to apply | At least 72 hours before boarding. One week early is safer |
| You need | Passport, credit card, email, recent photo |
Is the K-ETA Exemption Still Active?
The temporary exemption ends on 31 December 2026. As of early November 2026, I could not find an official notice that extends it into 2027. Earlier extensions were announced in late December, so a late notice would not be new.
If you arrive before the end date and your country is on the exempt list, you do not need a K-ETA. If you arrive in January 2027 or later, plan to apply unless an extension is announced. Check the Notice page on the official K-ETA site before you book non-refundable tickets.
What to Prepare Before You Apply
The official notices list four items to prepare:
- A valid passport
- A credit card for the fee
- An email address that you can open
- A recent profile photo
The result goes to the email you enter, so type it with care. One person can also fill in the form for other people. The official notice says you can apply for up to 30 people at once.
K-ETA photo requirements
The official notices only say "recent profile photo." I could not open an official page with exact photo rules. Several third-party guides list the same limits: JPG file, 100 KB or less, about 700 pixels wide, front-facing, no glasses or hats.
Treat these numbers as unconfirmed. The upload screen on k-eta.go.kr shows the current rules. The official app can also take the photo with your phone camera, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice.
How to Apply for K-ETA Step by Step
- Check that you need it. See the exemption status in our K-ETA 2027 guide. Transit passengers who do not enter Korea do not need a K-ETA.
- Open the official page. Go to the official K-ETA application page in English. Or install the K-ETA app from Google Play. On iPhone, search "K-ETA" in the App Store and check that the developer is the Ministry of Justice.
- Start a new application. The site has "Apply from the beginning" and "Continue to application." You can apply as a non-member. A member account lets you see your results and update information without email verification.
- Enter your passport and personal details. Copy them exactly as printed in your passport. The official notice warns that entry can be refused if the K-ETA data does not match your passport.
- Add your travel information. The form asks for personal and travel details. Answer honestly. False information can lead to problems such as an entry ban, according to an official notice.
- Upload your photo and pay. Pay the fee by credit card. The official fee is 10,000 won, and the notices say the additional card fee is not included.
- Save your application number. Keep the confirmation email too. You will use the number to check the result on the website.
Have a question during the form? Send it through the official K-ETA Ask Us form. You verify your email first, and the answer comes by email. Phone or in-person help is generally not offered. Do not write your passport number in the message.
K-ETA Fee, Processing Time and Validity
| Item | What the official notices say | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | 10,000 won (~US$7-8) | Additional card fee is excluded |
| Result | Email within 72 hours | Some cases take longer |
| Apply by | At least 72 hours before boarding | A Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice says 72 hours to one week |
| Validity | Until your passport expires or the K-ETA period ends, whichever is first | Notices differ: 3 years for applications from 3 July 2023, but a January 2026 notice says 2 years |
I could not settle the validity period from the sources I found. Check the Application Guide on k-eta.go.kr before you plan a repeat trip. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also notes that the Korean government has not named any application agencies. See its K-ETA guide notice.
To check your result, use the email or the "Check Application Results" menu on the website. If the answer is a denial, read K-ETA Denied? Reasons, Fixes and Next Steps. An official notice says a denied traveler must apply for a visa at a Korean embassy or consulate, which takes about two weeks.
Fake K-ETA Websites: How to Avoid Them
Fake sites copy the K-ETA name and charge much more than the real fee. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs alert about non-official K-ETA websites says one site charged about 20 times the official fee. The official homepage also warns about agencies that offer "expedited" service.
Use these checks:
- The address is www.k-eta.go.kr. The government says the application is available only there and in the official app.
- The fee is 10,000 won. A price far above US$7-8 is a warning sign.
- No agency is approved. Be careful with any site that sells "expedited" or "priority" service.
- In the app store, the developer is the Ministry of Justice (법무부).
Do not click search ads without checking the web address. Type the official address yourself, or use the link in this post.
Common Mistakes When You Apply for K-ETA
- Paying a third-party site. The official fee is 10,000 won. Anything far higher is not the official site.
- Applying the night before. Results can take more than 72 hours. Apply about one week early.
- Typing data that differs from the passport. A mismatch can lead to refused entry.
- Using a new passport after approval. An official notice says that if your passport is reissued or your personal data changes, you must apply again.
FAQ
Where is the official K-ETA website?
The official site is www.k-eta.go.kr, and the official app is "K-ETA" by the Ministry of Justice. The government has not designated any other agency.
How much is the K-ETA fee?
The fee is 10,000 won (~US$7-8) as of November 2026. Official notices say additional card fees are not included, so your card may show a small extra charge.
How long does K-ETA take?
The result is usually sent by email within 72 hours. It can take longer, so apply about one week before you fly. If you have a question, use the Ask Us form and leave out your passport number.
Do I need K-ETA if I land before 31 December 2026?
Not if your country is on the temporary exemption list. The exemption ends on 31 December 2026. Check the official notices for any extension.
Checked: November 2026. Sources: official K-ETA website (k-eta.go.kr), Ministry of Foreign Affairs K-ETA notices, and the K-ETA listing on Google Play.
Next step: open the K-ETA Notice page in early December to see if the exemption is extended. If it is not, you now know how to apply for K-ETA, and you can plan your ride from the airport in How to Get from Incheon Airport to Seoul. Questions about this post? Use the Contact page.
Enjoy Korea!
— Woogie
