South Korea Extends K-ETA Exemption for Visa-Free Travellers Until 2026

If you are planning a trip to South Korea, here is some good news that makes travel simpler.

South Korea has officially extended its temporary exemption from the K-ETA requirement for many visa-free travellers. The extension runs until December 31, 2026, giving visitors one less form to worry about.

The update was published on the official K-ETA website and confirmed by the Ministry of Justice. The move is part of a broader effort to revive tourism after several difficult years.

South Korea K-ETA Exemption

If you’re from one of the countries already exempt from needing a K-ETA, you can keep entering South Korea without applying for it. The extension covers 67 countries and regions across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa.

• No new steps.
• No extra paperwork.

Just make sure you still meet South Korea’s usual entry requirements, such as having a valid passport and return ticket.

When eligible travellers scan the passport details page on the K-ETA site, they will see a message confirming the exemption status.

The exemption was first announced last year and has now been officially extended for one more year.

Who Is Covered by the K-ETA Exemption

The exemption applies only to travellers from countries that are already visa-free and were previously covered by the temporary K-ETA waiver.

If you are eligible, the K-ETA website will clearly show a message confirming that you do not need to apply when you scan your passport.

Countries and Regions Covered in 2026

Region	Countries and Territories
Africa	South Africa
Americas	Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, United States
Asia	Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Singapore, Taiwan
Europe	Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City
Middle East	Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Oceania	Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu

In total, travellers from 67 countries and territories can continue visiting South Korea without a K-ETA in 2026.

Do You Still Need to Apply for K-ETA?

Not necessarily. But in some cases, it can still be useful.

South Korean authorities say exempt travellers may choose to apply for a K-ETA if they want certain benefits. One example is skipping the e-Arrival Card at immigration.

If you apply anyway:

• The fee is 10,000 KRW, around US$8
• The fee is non-refundable
• Any approved K-ETA stays valid until its expiry date, even during the exemption period

Bottom Line for Travellers

For most visa-free travellers, this extension keeps South Korea easy and accessible through 2026. Fewer forms, fewer checks, and a smoother arrival experience.

If you already have a K-ETA, you can still use it. If you do not, and you are from an exempt country, you can travel without one.

Sometimes, the best travel updates are the ones that quietly remove friction. This is one of them.