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🇫🇷FRANCE
🇰🇷SOUTH KOREAFR-KR

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

French citizens get 90 days visa-free in South Korea; K-ETA required at k-eta.go.kr (KRW 10,000, valid 3 years). French passport holders enjoy 90 days visa-free entry to South Korea as tourists. The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) must be obtained online at k-eta.go.kr for KRW 10,000 (~USD 8.50) and is valid for 3 years, multiple entries. K-ETA exemption for 22 countries including France was offered through Dec 31, 2025 - check k-eta.go.kr for current 2026 status. Korean Air, Asiana, and Air France serve Paris (CDG) to Incheon (ICN) direct, all daily. K-pop and K-drama have made Korea hugely popular with French travellers. Work, study, journalism, and longer stays require an appropriate visa class (D-2, E-1 to E-7, H-1) from a Korean embassy. Overstays result in heavy penalties and re-entry bans.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Visa-free + K-ETA
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries allowed
from issue date
Visa fee
KRW 10,000 (~USD 8.50) K-ETA
consular fee only
Processing time
K-ETA approved within 72 hours
standard track
Validity
K-ETA valid 3 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
French passport valid 6+ months beyond intended departure with 1 blank page.
· 6 months validity
/02
Apply for K-ETA
At k-eta.go.kr at least 72 hours before travel. Pay KRW 10,000 by card. Save the approval QR.
· K-ETA required· KRW 10,000
/03
Book onward/return ticket
Confirmed ticket out of Korea within 90 days; airlines may deny boarding without one.
· onward ticket
/04
Arrive at Incheon (ICN)
Use SeS auto-gates (eligible) or counters. Up to 90 days visa-free stamp issued.
· 90-day stamp
/05
Track your stay
Note the 90-day expiry; Korean immigration is strict on overstays.
· check stamp date
/06
Extend or exit
In-country extensions are rare for tourists; visa-runs disallowed. Exit before 90 days.
· exit on time
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

6 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 6 complete
French passport
Valid 6+ months beyond departure, 1 blank page
K-ETA approval
KRW 10,000, valid 3 years multi-entry
Return/onward ticket
Confirmed flight out within 90 days
Accommodation details
Hotel booking or host address
Sufficient funds
USD 50-100/day recommended
Travel insurance
Recommended though not required
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
K-ETAKRW 10,000 (~USD 8.50)Valid 3 years multi-entry; renew if expired
Visa-free entryFreeUp to 90 days on arrival
Visa extensionKRW 60,000Rarely approved for tourists; exit before stamp expires
Work visa (E-7)KRW 80,000+Sponsored by Korean employer; multi-month process
Overstay penaltyKRW 100,000-30,000,000Plus deportation and re-entry ban
Total estimateUSD 8.50 — USD 8.50incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

K-ETA
Up to 72 hours
Apply at k-eta.go.kr; most approved within hours but allow 3 days.
Visa-free arrival
On arrival
SeS auto-gates (preregistration possible) or counters.
Extension request
Difficult for tourists
Most denied; visa-runs to Japan disallowed back-to-back.
Working visa
4-8 weeks
E-1 to E-7, H-1; requires sponsorship and degree/skills.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
K-ETA not obtained
Required for all visa-free entries unless exempt. Airlines deny boarding without K-ETA.
Medium
/02
Visa-run pattern
Frequent in-out trips raise immigration suspicion; secondary inspection possible.
Low
/03
Insufficient funds shown
ICN officers may request proof of accommodation and onward travel.
Low
/04
Overstay
Strict enforcement; multi-year re-entry bans common.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Carry your visa grant notice or visa-free group documents, hotel address, and return ticket. Entry remains at the border officer's discretion.
/02
Arrival forms
Complete any current arrival, health, or customs declaration required by your airline or Korean immigration before inspection.
/03
Connectivity
Airport SIMs, eSIMs, and transport cards are easy to buy at Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, and major convenience stores.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-27
France to South Korea route verified
Confirmed 90-day visa-free + K-ETA for French citizens.
2021-09-01 · major
K-ETA introduced
All visa-free travellers must obtain K-ETA online before travel.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do French citizens need a visa for South Korea?—
No - up to 90 days visa-free. K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr (KRW 10,000, valid 3 years) is currently required unless your country is on the active exemption list.
What is K-ETA?+
How long can I stay?+
Can I work on visa-free entry?+
Direct flights from France?+
What if my K-ETA is denied?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the France passport

🇫🇷⇄
Compare the France passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇫🇷◐
France visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇫🇷▤
France passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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