K-ETA Exemption Extended to Dec 2026: Do You Still Need the e-Arrival Card?
Bottom line: Korea's temporary K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) exemption for citizens of 22 countries and territories has been extended from January 1 through December 31, 2026 (Korea Standard Time). Even if you're exempt, you're encouraged to submit an e-Arrival Card before entry — but whether that's a legal requirement, and whether the paper customs declaration has been scrapped, isn't officially confirmed yet.
If you didn't know: Being exempt from K-ETA doesn't mean you need zero paperwork. The e-Arrival Card can be submitted starting 72 hours before arrival, and it's only valid for 72 hours after submission — fill it out too early and it can expire, forcing you to redo it at the arrival hall, which can cost an extra 10–20 minutes (an estimate, not an official figure). And if you're exempt but apply for K-ETA anyway, it costs a 10,000-won fee (valid for 3 years), and that fee is non-refundable once paid.
K-ETA temporary exemption period: Jan 1–Dec 31, 2026 (KST) · Covers 22 countries/territories (Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, the US including Guam, Canada, the UK, and several European countries) · e-Arrival Card in effect since Feb 24, 2025; submittable from 72 hours before arrival · Voluntary K-ETA application fee: 10,000 won (valid 3 years) · Apply at e-arrivalcard.go.kr or k-eta.go.kr · Inquiries: Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular call center, +82-2-3210-0404 · Whether the e-Arrival Card is mandatory, and whether the paper declaration form is discontinued, isn't clearly stated in official materials.
Per a Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice, the K-ETA temporary exemption period has been extended to run from January 1 through December 31, 2026 (KST), covering citizens of countries and territories currently exempt from K-ETA. Even exempt travelers can voluntarily apply for K-ETA to get benefits like skipping the arrival-card submission; per the Ministry of Justice's official guidance, doing so costs a 10,000-won fee valid for 3 years, and a K-ETA already issued remains usable until its expiry, but the fee already paid is not refunded. Separately, the Ministry of Justice announced that since February 24, 2025 travelers can submit their arrival declaration online through the e-Arrival Card system — but that official announcement doesn't use words like "mandatory" or "abolition of the paper form." Some in the travel industry advertise that the paper form has been scrapped and online submission is required, but that could not be confirmed in the Ministry of Justice's or Ministry of Foreign Affairs' primary official notices. This was checked on 2026-11-03 on the notice page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas missions site (overseas.mofa.go.kr) and the Ministry of Justice's (moj.go.kr) press release page.
This article summarizes official information and is not legal, medical, or financial advice.
Journey stage: Before you go · Verified 2026-11-03
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