South Korea•Asia0 days
Free
3 months
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
No dependents
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Visa-exempt short-stay access for tourism and business visits, with K-ETA required for most nationalities (except 25 countries exempt through December 2026).
Visa-exempt entry allows nationals of specific countries short-term tourism, transit, or non-profit visits to South Korea. Most require a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) before departure, though 25 countries including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan are exempt through December 31, 2026. Employment and profit-making activities, including remote work, are strictly prohibited.
Stays typically allow 30–180 days depending on nationality, with immediate processing at the port of entry. No visa application fee applies; K-ETA costs ₩10,000 if required. The status is not renewable, and extensions are rarely granted except in extreme emergencies. Overstaying incurs fines, deportation, and potential future entry bans.
This visa is ideal for tourists and business travelers from visa-exempt countries seeking straightforward short-term entry to South Korea without formal visa processing.
| Initial grant | 3 months |
Albania
Andorra
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican RepublicMust be a national of a country that has a visa-exemption agreement with South Korea.
Purpose of visit must be tourism, transit, or friendly visits (non-profit).
Must hold a valid passport.
Most nationalities must obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) prior to departure. However, nationals of 25 countries/regions (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, US including Guam) are temporarily exempt from K-ETA through December 31, 2026.
Valid passport (usually 6+ months validity).
K-ETA approval (if applicable).
Proof of onward/return travel (sometimes requested).
Visa application form (only if applying for an extension in extreme, rare cases).
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.
Start Visa Discovery