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🇭🇰HONG KONG
🇰🇷SOUTH KOREAHK-KR

Do Hong Kong passport holders need a visa to visit South Korea?

Visa-free up to 90 days for HKSAR passport holders. K-ETA waived through 31 December 2026. Hong Kong SAR passport holders enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days per entry. The arrangement applies only to HKSAR passport holders — not BN(O) passport, which is treated as a UK passport (also visa-free 90 days). K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is normally required for visa-exempt nationals, but Korea waived K-ETA for Hong Kong SAR passports through 31 December 2026 as part of the 2026 Visit Korea Year campaign. The e-Arrival Card replaces the paper arrival declaration for faster entry. For stays beyond 90 days, work, or study, a Korean visa is required through the Korea Consulate-General in Hong Kong.
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.
Hong Kong (PR)Living in Hong Kong as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Visa-free entry (HKSAR passport)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival
standard track
Validity
K-ETA waived through 31 December 2026
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport type
Use Hong Kong SAR passport for the 90-day waiver. BN(O) passport holders enter as UK nationals (also visa-free 90 days, K-ETA waived).
· HKSAR passport
/02
Confirm K-ETA waiver status
Hong Kong SAR is on Korea's K-ETA waiver list through 31 December 2026 — no K-ETA needed.
· K-ETA not required
/03
Book return travel and accommodation
Onward ticket and hotel/host address are required at boarding and immigration.
· return ticket
/04
Submit e-Arrival Card
Korea's digital arrival card available 3 days before arrival via e-Arrival Card portal. Optional but speeds up entry.
· e-Arrival Card
/05
Arrive in Korea
Standard immigration with fingerprints and a facial photo. SES e-gates available for returning travellers after first enrolment.
· biometrics
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Hong Kong SAR passport
Valid 6 months on arrival, 1 blank page
BN(O) passport (alternative)
Also accepted; treated as UK passport
Return or onward ticket
Required at boarding and immigration
Accommodation address
Hotel booking or host's address
Funds evidence
Cash or cards if asked
Travel insurance
Recommended; Korean healthcare costs are high
e-Arrival Card
Optional digital arrival declaration (3 days before arrival)
Vaccination certificate (if applicable)
Only required from yellow fever risk countries
Mobile data plan
Korean SIM or roaming for Naver Maps and KakaoTalk
T-money card
Optional but recommended for transit
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeUp to 90 days for HKSAR or BN(O) passports
K-ETAWaivedHong Kong SAR on K-ETA waiver list through 31 December 2026
e-Arrival CardFreeOptional digital arrival card
Long-stay visa (work/study)VariesThrough Korea Consulate-General in Hong Kong
Overstay penaltiesKRW 100,000+Fines, detention, re-entry ban
Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival
Minutes
Standard airport entry without K-ETA in 2026.
e-Arrival Card lane
Minutes
Slightly faster if submitted in advance.
Long-stay visa (work/study/family)
5-10 working days+
Required for stays beyond 90 days; apply at the Korea Consulate-General in Hong Kong.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Wrong passport variant
HKID alone or Document of Identity (DI) are not eligible for visa-free entry. Use HKSAR passport or BN(O).
Low
/02
Insufficient travel evidence
No return ticket, vague itinerary, or unclear accommodation can lead to questioning.
Low
/03
Past Korean overstays
Any prior overstay or removal heavily affects future visa-free entries.
Medium
/04
Suspected work intent
Carrying obvious work gear, multiple resumes, or pre-arranged paid engagements can prompt refusal.
Low
/05
Prohibited items at customs
Strict controls on drugs (including cannabis), fresh meat, and certain plants.
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
Hong Kong to Korea route verified
Confirmed 90-day visa-free for HKSAR passport, K-ETA waived through 31 December 2026.
2025-12-31 · major
K-ETA waiver extended through 2026
Korea extended K-ETA waiver for Hong Kong SAR (and 21 other priority markets) through 31 December 2026.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Hong Kong citizens need a visa for South Korea?—
No — Hong Kong SAR passport holders enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. BN(O) passport holders also enter visa-free as UK nationals.
Do I need K-ETA in 2026?+
Can I use my BN(O) passport?+
Can I stay longer than 90 days?+
Do I need 6 months on my passport?+
What is the e-Arrival Card?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Hong Kong passport

🇭🇰⇄
Compare the Hong Kong passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇭🇰◐
Hong Kong visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇭🇰▤
Hong Kong passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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