South Korea Passport & Visa Information

What passport and visa do I need to visit South Korea?

Passport

It is a requirement of South Korea’s Government that British visitors to the country possess a valid passport and that the passport has at least three months validity left after your return from holiday. You will also need to have proof of your onward travel; this will almost certainly be an air ticket or, if you are travelling overland to Japan or China, a ferry ticket.

Please check that your passport complies with this decree, and you have the necessary documentation, well in advance of travel. If you do not have a British passport please contact your nearest South Korean Embassy to see what regulations apply to you.

Visas for South Korea

UK nationals do not require visas for stays in South Korea of up to 90 days. However, all visa-free foreign visitors need to obtain a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) before entering the country. The K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW (around $10) per person and the application needs to be made a least 24 hours before boarding your Korea bound flight or ship. The K-ETA is valid for 2 years after approval. K-ETA approved travellers will be exempted from writing and submitting the arrival card upon entry.

Applications are made on the K-ETA official website (www.k-eta.go.kr) or the mobile app (K-ETA). Your application may be filled out by proxy and one applicant can apply for up to 30 people at once in case of families or group tourists.

K-ETA Waiver

As of April 1 2023 citizens of the UK and 21 other countries are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA requirement for travel to South Korea.

The K-ETA waiver will be in effect until December 31, 2024, for nationals of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Spain, United States (including Guam), Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, Singapore, Sweden, and Taiwan

How to book
See our selection of holidays to South Korea, plus when to visit. To discuss your travel needs, complete an enquiry form or call our Asia experts on 020 7720 9285.