Since 2001, South Korean passport holders can visit Australia without a stamp or sticker visa. Instead of an Australian visa, South Koreans are required to have an ETA - an Electronic Travel Authorization.
Compared to a traditional visa, obtaining an ETA is both fast and convenient. In this article, we have provided a complete guide explaining how to get an Australian ETA from South Korea.
So, without further ado, let's get into it!
What is an ETA?
Let's start with the most basic question: what is an ETA?
An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an electronic visa that allows South Korean citizens to visit Australia without getting a traditional visa beforehand. It is the US's ESTA (Electronic System of Travel Authorization) issued under the Visa Waiver program.
Unlike a traditional visa, getting an ETA is a completely streamlined process, meaning you don’t need to visit the Australian embassy or follow complicated steps. All you need to do is visit VisaHQ and submit the required documents.
An ETA is a multiple-entry travel document that allows a holder to enter South Korea as many times as desired during its validity period. That being said, you cannot use an ETA to stay in the country for more than 90 consecutive days at a time. After 90 days, you'll need to leave the country and visit again!
Documents Required for an ETA
To get an ETA, there are some visa requirements all applicants must fulfill, such as:
An original passport
Health insurance
Proof of sufficient funds
A working email address
A credit or debit card
Criminal conviction record
Proof of no medical requirements
Health clearance document
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers might also need to get a vaccination certificate beforehand to avoid self-isolation. The Australian government will only issue the ETA if you fulfill all character and health requirements:
Character Requirements:
Declaring all criminal conduct
Providing necessary personal information
Truthfully answering questions
No criminal convictions
Health Requirements:
No demanding community and healthcare services that are in short supply
Not threatening the health of Australian citizens
Being free of tuberculosis
No significant community and healthcare service
How to Apply for an Australian ETA from South Korea
All citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are allowed to apply for an ETA. To do so, you only need to follow three simple steps:
Fill out the ETA visa application form
Pay the visa processing fee
Submit supporting documents
That's it! Afterward, you'll get your visa within 48 hours. Make sure your provided e-mail address is working, as you'll get your ETA via email!
ETA Application form
To fill out the visa application form, you'll need to provide personal contact, passport, and travel details, including:
Full name
Date of birth
Place of birth
Address
Phone number
Email address
Health declaration form
Criminal conviction record
Passport number
Passport issue and expiry date
You can get an ETA for tourism and business purposes. Depending on your purpose of travel, you might need to provide some additional documents to enter Australia. Basically, you only need 3 documents to apply for an ETA:
Passport - Your original passport is the most important thing you need to apply online for an ETA. While applying for your visa, make sure your passport has at least 2 blank pages and remaining validity of 3 months.
Mode of Payment - You'll need to pay the embassy fee and service fee. As this entire process is online, it makes sense if you use an online mode of payment, such as a debit or credit card.
E-mail Address - To apply for your ETA, you must have an active email address. Keep in mind that your email will be electronically linked with your passport. On approval, you'll get your ETA via email as well.
Processing Time
The processing time for an ETA varies from applicant to applicant. On average, South Korean will be able to get an ETA within 48 hours. However, due to popularity and high demand, you might have to wait a little longer. Therefore, it's recommended to apply for an ETA at least 2 weeks prior to the actual departure date.
Validity Period
An Electronic Travel Authorization is valid for either 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. The validity period depends upon the length of your desired stay. Keep in mind that an ETA does not guarantee your entry to Australia; the immigration officials have the final say!
In addition, you cannot extend an ETA. Once your travel document or passport expires, you'll need to leave the country and apply for it again using new passport details. Furthermore, if you want to stay in the country for a longer period of time, you'll need to apply for a traditional visa.