canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/Hong Kong (SAR China)/to/South Korea
🇭🇰Hong Kong (SAR China)
🇰🇷South KoreaHK-KR

Hong Kong (SAR China) to South Korea visa requirements

Hong Kong SAR passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. K-ETA is temporarily exempt through Dec 31, 2026; travelers without a valid K-ETA should submit the free e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival or complete an arrival card on arrival. Hong Kong SAR passport holders may enter South Korea visa-free for short visits of up to 90 days. The official K-ETA country list shows CHINA P. R.(HONG KONG) with an allowed stay of 90 days, and the Hong Kong Immigration Department records the same 90-day visa-free access. K-ETA is normally Korea's pre-travel authorization for visa-free visitors, but Korea extended the temporary K-ETA exemption through Dec 31, 2026 (KST), and Hong Kong Immigration Department guidance confirms that holders of HKSAR passports are temporarily exempt from holding K-ETA from Apr 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2026. During the exemption, there is no mandatory K-ETA fee; travelers may still apply voluntarily for K-ETA for KRW 10,000 plus online payment fees, valid for up to 3 years or until passport expiry, and K-ETA holders are exempt from submitting the arrival card. Travelers entering without valid K-ETA should submit Korea's free e-Arrival Card starting 3 days before arrival, or complete the arrival card on arrival. Work, study, journalism, profit-making activity, and stays beyond 90 days require the correct Korean visa. This HKSAR passport guidance does not cover BN(O) travel: the K-ETA list shows UK-BRITISH NATIONAL OVERSEAS(GBN) separately with a 30-day stay.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21
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.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →Hong Kong (PR)Living in Hong Kong (SAR China) as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21
Visa type
Visa-free entry; K-ETA temporarily exempt for HKSAR passports
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries allowed while each visit meets short-stay conditions
from issue date
Visa fee
No mandatory visa or K-ETA fee during the exemption; optional K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus online payment fee
consular fee only
Processing time
No K-ETA pre-approval required while exempt; free e-Arrival Card may be submitted starting 3 days before arrival if not holding valid K-ETA
standard track
Validity
K-ETA exemption through Dec 31, 2026 (KST); optional K-ETA valid up to 3 years or until passport expiry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Use the HKSAR passport rule
Travel on a Hong Kong SAR passport for this 90-day visa-free route. If you plan to enter on a BN(O) passport, verify that separate rule because the K-ETA list shows UK-BRITISH NATIONAL OVERSEAS(GBN) with a 30-day stay.
· HKSAR passport· 90 days
/02
Confirm K-ETA exemption before departure
HKSAR passport holders are temporarily exempt from holding K-ETA through Dec 31, 2026. You may still apply voluntarily if you want K-ETA benefits, including arrival-card exemption.
· K-ETA exempt to 2026-12-31· optional KRW 10,000
/03
Submit the arrival declaration
If you do not hold a valid K-ETA, file the free e-Arrival Card from 3 days before arrival. The official guide says an electronic submission has the same validity as the paper arrival card.
· free e-Arrival Card· 3 days before arrival
/04
Prepare trip evidence
Carry an onward or return ticket, accommodation address, contact details in Korea, and funds evidence in case the airline or immigration officer asks.
· onward ticket· Korea address
/05
Enter as a short-term visitor
Tourism, visits, events, conferences, and non-remunerated short business are the ordinary visa-free purposes. Do not work or pursue profit-making activity on visa-free entry.
· no paid work
/06
Track the 90-day limit
The 90-day stay is a hard immigration limit for this route. Apply for the proper visa before travel if your purpose or length of stay does not fit the exemption.
· leave on time
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Hong Kong (SAR China) -> South Korea · Visa-free entry; K-ETA temporarily exempt for HKSAR passports
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredHong Kong SAR passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid for the trip and planned departure; check airline or transit rules for extra validity
RequiredK-ETA status
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Temporarily exempt for HKSAR passports through Dec 31, 2026
RequiredArrival declaration
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Free e-Arrival Card from 3 days before arrival unless holding a valid K-ETA; paper arrival card remains an alternative
RecommendedReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Recommended and may be checked by airline or immigration
RequiredAccommodation and Korea contact details
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Hotel booking or host address/contact
ConditionalFunds evidence
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Cash, cards, or bank access if asked
RequiredTrip purpose evidence
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Tourism, visiting, events, conferences, or short non-paid business only
RecommendedTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Recommended; not an immigration requirement
ConditionalVisa for long stay or work/study
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Required before travel if not covered by the 90-day exemption
RequiredPassport choice check
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Do not assume BN(O) has the same 90-day HKSAR allowance
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesK-ETA Official Application Guide - Eligible Countries / ApplicantsK-ETA Official Notice - Extension of Temporary ExemptionK-ETA Official Application Guide - Fee, Validity and Arrival Card Exemption
Application link included: K-ETA Official Application Guide - Eligible Countries / Applicants
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeUp to 90 days for HKSAR passport short visits
e-Arrival CardFreeSubmit online from 3 days before arrival if not holding valid K-ETA; paper arrival card has the same function
Optional K-ETAKRW 10,000 plus online payment feeVoluntary during the exemption; valid up to 3 years or until passport expiry and exempts holders from arrival-card submission
Long-stay or work/study visaVariesRequired for employment, study, profit-making activity, journalism, or stays beyond 90 days
Overstay penaltiesVariesFines, departure controls, deportation, or re-entry restrictions may apply
Total estimateUSD 0 mandatory — About USD 7-8 plus online payment fee if choosing optional K-ETAincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival
On arrival
No visa or mandatory K-ETA for eligible HKSAR passport visits while the temporary K-ETA exemption remains active.
e-Arrival Card
From 3 days before arrival
Free online arrival declaration for travelers entering without valid K-ETA; validity is lost 72 hours after submission.
Optional K-ETA
Usually within 72 hours
Only needed if you voluntarily want K-ETA benefits such as arrival-card exemption; apply on the official K-ETA portal/app.
Long-stay visa
Depends on visa class
Use the Korea Visa Portal or the Korean diplomatic mission process for work, study, residence, or longer stays.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Arrival declaration missing
K-ETA-exempt travelers are listed as subject to declaration. File the e-Arrival Card or complete the arrival card before immigration if you do not hold valid K-ETA.
Medium
/02
K-ETA exemption misunderstood
The HKSAR passport exemption is temporary through Dec 31, 2026; travel in 2027 may require K-ETA unless Korea extends the waiver again.
Medium
/03
Wrong passport assumption
HKID alone and Document of Identity are not HKSAR passports. BN(O) is listed separately by K-ETA and should not be treated as the same 90-day HKSAR route.
Low
/04
Insufficient travel evidence
No onward ticket, unclear accommodation, or vague purpose may trigger airline or immigration questions.
Low
/05
Suspected work or profit-making activity
Paid work, journalism, study, or long-stay plans require the correct visa before travel.
Low
/06
Overstay
Remaining beyond the admitted period can lead to fines, departure controls, deportation, and re-entry restrictions.
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
2026-06-21
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-21
Codex checked
Re-verified HKSAR passport 90-day visa-free entry, K-ETA temporary exemption through Dec 31, 2026, optional K-ETA fee/validity, and e-Arrival Card rules against official K-ETA, e-Arrival Card, and Hong Kong Immigration Department sources.
2026-05-27
Hong Kong to Korea route verified
Confirmed 90-day visa-free access for HKSAR passport holders and recorded the K-ETA temporary waiver; superseded by the 2026-06-21 official-source refresh.
2025-12-23 · major
K-ETA waiver extended through 2026
Korea's Ministry of Justice extended the K-ETA temporary exemption period through Dec 31, 2026 (KST).
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Hong Kong SAR passport holders need a visa for South Korea?—
No. Hong Kong SAR passport holders can enter South Korea visa-free for short visits of up to 90 days.
Do HKSAR passport holders need K-ETA in 2026?+
Do I need an e-Arrival Card?+
Can I still apply for K-ETA voluntarily?+
Can I use my BN(O) passport for the same 90-day rule?+
Can I stay longer than 90 days?+
Do I need six months left on my passport?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Hong Kong (SAR China) passport

🇭🇰⇄
Compare the Hong Kong (SAR China) passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇭🇰◐
Hong Kong (SAR China) visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇭🇰▤
Hong Kong (SAR China) passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.