Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit South Korea?

UAE ordinary passport holders can travel to South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. No visa or K-ETA is required (K-ETA is temporarily waived until 31 December 2026), but a free e-Arrival Card must be submitted online before arrival. Under the Korea-UAE bilateral visa-waiver agreement (effective 21 September 2016), holders of UAE ordinary passports may enter the Republic of Korea without a visa and stay for up to 90 days for tourism and short visits. The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is normally required for visa-exempt nationals, but South Korea has extended a temporary K-ETA exemption through 31 December 2026, so UAE travelers currently do not need to apply for or pay for a K-ETA. Separately, since 2026 every arriving traveler must complete a free e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival (unless they hold a valid K-ETA, which substitutes for the arrival card). The visa waiver covers tourism and short business visits only; work, study, or long-term stays require an appropriate visa. From 1 January 2027, K-ETA is expected to become mandatory again for visa-exempt nationals.