South Korea ETA application, requirements, price, and processing time

Did you know South Korea has the same travel authorization system as the United States of America? While the US has an electronic system of travel authorization (ESTA), the South Korean government offers an electronic travel authorization (K-ETA).

Although you can apply for a regular paper visa to enter Korea, it's recommended to apply for an e-visa instead. This is because getting an e-visa is both convenient and fast. Unlike a traditional visa, foreign nationals can apply for an ETA from the comfort of their home!

What Is An Electronic Travel Authorization?

South Korea has started the visa waiver program that allows foreign citizens to enter the country without a traditional visa. Instead of applying for a regular visa, travelers can now apply online for an ETA or electronic travel authorization!

An ETA is an electronic visa that allows a holder to enjoy all the rights of a regular Korean visa. You can use this document to enter the country whenever you want. From September 2021, the Republic of Korea has made a K-ETA mandatory, meaning travelers won't be allowed to board the place until they have an ETA (unless they have a valid visa).

Validity Period

A Korean ETA is valid for up to 2 years. It is a multiple-entry travel document that allows a holder to stay in the country for 30 consecutive days. An ETA holder can visit the country for both tourism and business purposes, including:

• Visiting friends and family members

• Exploring the country

• Attending business meetings and conferences

• Meeting with business associates

Required Documents

Before you apply for a K-ETA, you must fulfill some visa requirements. You need a few documents to ensure a smooth visa application process. 4 of the most basic documents that an applicant requires to apply for a Korean ETA include:

• Valid Passport - A valid passport is mandatory. You need to make sure your passport has at least 6 months of remaining validity period as well as 2 blank pages for stamps.

• E-mail Address - To get an ETA, you'll need a valid and active email address. Your email address will be electronically linked to your passport. Upon approval, you'll receive your ETA via email!

• Passport-Type Photograph - Applicants are required to provide their digital passport-style photograph, preferably taken within the last 6 months.

• Online Payment Option - As this entire process is streamlined, you'll need online payment options to get a Korea ETA. You can use a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account to pay the ETA application fee.

Besides these, foreign passport holders traveling to Korea might require some additional documents, depending on the purpose of the visit, such as an invitation letter, business card, health declaration form, and so on.

Therefore, it's recommended to visit VisaHQ and select your citizenship to determine the Korea ETA requirements for your country!

How To Apply For A South Korea ETA?

K-ETA has been introduced to make the visa application process more convenient and faster. Applying for an ETA is a straightforward process. No need to visit the nearest Korean embassy located in your country. No need to schedule a visa interview. All you need to do is visit VisaHQ and follow the following three steps:

1. Fill out your ETA application form

2. Pay the visa fee

3. Submit your application with supporting documents

The supporting documents vary from country to country. So, make sure you check out the Korean ETA visa requirements for your country. Afterward, you'll get your ETA via email!

K-ETA Application Form

Your visa application form is the most important document to apply for an ETA. If there are issues with your application, your ETA will be delayed or denied. Therefore, double-check all the provided data before you submit your application online.

To fill out the ETA application form, applicants are required to provide personal, contact, travel, and passport details, including:

• Full name

• Nationality

• Date of birth

• Email address

• Phone number

• Home address

• Passport number

• Passport issue and expiry date

• Travel plans

Depending on your purpose of visit or country, you might need to answer some personal and security questions as well!

Processing Time

Generally speaking, the average processing time for a Korea electronic travel authorization is 2-3 weeks. However, if there are issues with your application, your ETA might be delayed.

It's recommended to apply for Korea ETA at least 2 months prior to the intended departure date - especially if you want to visit Korea during high seasons in winter and summer.

Furthermore, keep in mind that an ETA does not guarantee your entry into the country. The final decision will be made by the immigration officials. Currently, 102 countries are eligible for K-ETA. So, make sure to check out the eligibility criteria before submitting your application!