Two systems, one ministry
K-ETA means Korea Electronic Travel Authorization. It is a pre-travel approval for eligible visa-free visitors. The e-Arrival Card is Korea’s online arrival declaration. Both are run by the Ministry of Justice, but they serve different purposes. The official arrival guide explains that the declaration is separate from K-ETA. A K-ETA application has a fee, and an approval is normally valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. The arrival declaration is free and relates to a particular entry. Check the exemptions below to see which requirements apply.
Approval and exemption are different
A traveller using a valid K-ETA approval for visa-free entry is exempt from an arrival declaration. A traveller who is exempt from applying for K-ETA has not necessarily received an approval and must check the arrival-declaration rules separately.
The official arrival guide also lists exemptions for Korean nationals, valid Korean residence-card holders, and specified crew and group-entry categories. Check the conditions for your category. If you enter with a visa, holding a K-ETA does not remove the declaration requirement.
Check each requirement
| Situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Using a valid K-ETA for visa-free entry | The approval provides an arrival-declaration exemption. |
| Exempt from applying for K-ETA | Check whether a separate arrival-declaration exemption applies. |
| Entering with a visa | An arrival declaration is required unless another exemption applies. |
| Holding a Korean residence card or travelling as crew or a group | Check the exact category and conditions on the official site. |
The K-ETA notice says temporarily exempt travellers may apply voluntarily, for a fee, to receive approval benefits. Applying is optional for those travellers. It is not necessary simply to use the free online arrival declaration.
One approval, one passport
A K-ETA is issued against a passport number. The Korean Embassy in Singapore's FAQ states that it is valid for three years across many trips, and that "if you renew your passport, you are required to apply for a new K-ETA". If you replace your passport, do not rely on the approval linked to the old passport. Complete a planned passport renewal before applying for K-ETA.
