KETA Application Guide
KETA Required for Visa-free country travelers
You can apply for KETA anytime.
However you MUST obtain a KETA approval before boarding the flight or ship bound for the Republic of Korea.
What is KETA
KETA is an electronic travel authorization that visa-free foreign visitors need to obtain before entering the Republic of Korea, by submitting relevant information online such as their travel information.
Purpose of travel should be tourism, visiting a family member, participating in events or meetings, or commercial business (excluding pursuit of profit).
KETA Apply
- STEP 1 Apply
- STEP 2 Enter E-mail
- STEP 3 Enter Passport Information
- STEP 4 Enter Application Information
- STEP 5 Make Payment
- STEP 6 Under assessment
- STEP 7 Check Results
Items to prepare
- valid passport
- recent profile photo
- email address
- credit card(for fee payment)
KETA Announcements
- KETA eligible nationals, who wish to enter visa-free the Republic of Korea, must obtain KETA approval before boarding the flight or ship. Please keep in mind that the assessment can take more than 72 hours depending of the situation (ex, an increased number of KETA applications, applicants’ circumstances, etc). Therefore, please apply for KETA with sufficient time.
- Each approved KETA allows multiple visits to the Republic of Korea within the validity period of K-ETA (3 years in general). However, KETA approval is not a guarantee of entry into the Republic of Korea. The final decision of a traveler’s entry will be made by the immigration official of the Republic of Korea at the port of entry.
- The validity period of KETA(3 years in general) is irrelevant with the allowed period of visa-free stay. Those who enter the country via KETA cannot stay beyond the allowed period of visa-free stay permitted by nationality. The allowed period of visa-free stay per entry differs by nationality.
- KETA approval may be denied or cancelled in any case of submitting false or inaccurate information on the KETA application, and that person may be subject to penalties or entry restriction according to relevant Korean laws. The same will be applied to those who are applying on behalf of the applicant.
- Even in the event of application denial, refunds are not applicable. KETA Center is not responsible for any third party(agency, etc.) fees for the transaction.
- Even if your K-ETA has not expired, you are required to apply for a new KETA if there are any changes to your information, such as name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport information (passport number, passport expiration date), infectious disease or criminal record.
- If there are any changes to your purpose of entry, address in Korea or contact information after your KETA approval, you are required to update such information through the KETA website before entering Korea. Failure to do so may result in unfavorable measures such as entry denial.
- Those with KETA approval can go through entry immigration more conveniently, as they will be exempted from submitting the arrival card upon entry. Please note that we do not accept any activities with KETA which are undertaken for the purpose of generating profit or revenue.
- If you hold both KETA and a valid Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card) when you enter South korea, you are firstly granted the status of stay and period of stay according to your Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card). Based on the Article 37-1 of the Immigration Control Act, you can enter the country via KETA only if you had returned your Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card) to the immigration control official when you exited South korea in the past or if you return your card at the moment of entry.Please note that if you hold a valid visa, you are firstly granted the status of stay and period of stay according to your visa (regardless of your possessing KETA).
