🇯🇵JAPAN

🇰🇷SOUTH KOREAJP-KR

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

Q: Do I need to apply for K-ETA?

Not in 2026 — Japan is on the exemption list. You may apply voluntarily (KRW 10,000) to skip the arrival card. From 1 January 2027, K-ETA becomes mandatory again unless the waiver is renewed.

Q: What is the e-Arrival Card?

A digital arrival declaration that replaced paper TM forms on 1 January 2026. Submit at eac.go.kr within 3 days before arrival. K-ETA holders skip this step automatically.

Q: Can I work remotely from Korea?

Officially no — visa-free entry covers tourism and short business meetings only. For longer stays or formal remote work, apply for the Workation Visa (F-1-D) or Digital Nomad Visa.

Q: What about the 1923 reciprocity issue?

Japan and Korea have full reciprocity on visa-free travel. Both countries grant each other 90-day visa-exempt entry.

Q: Can I extend the 90-day stay?

Tourism extensions are not granted. To stay longer apply for the appropriate visa (work, study, family) at a Korean consulate in Japan before travel.

Visa-free up to 90 days. K-ETA waived through 31 Dec 2026; e-Arrival Card mandatory. Japanese ordinary passport holders enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or short visits. Under the 'Visit Korea Year' initiative, Japan is one of 22 countries temporarily exempted from the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) requirement through 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, the K-ETA will become mandatory again for Japanese travelers. Even without K-ETA, all foreign visitors must submit the e-Arrival Card before or on arrival (paper arrival forms ended on 1 January 2026).

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.

Japan (PR)Living in Japan as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27

Visa type

Visa-free entry (K-ETA waived to 31 Dec 2026)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days per entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

Free; optional K-ETA KRW 10,000

consular fee only

Processing time

On arrival

standard track

Validity

Per entry; K-ETA waiver expires 31 Dec 2026

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Your Japanese passport must be valid for the entire stay. One blank page is needed for the entry stamp.

· valid for stay

/02

Skip K-ETA (optional)

Through 31 December 2026, Japanese passports are exempt from K-ETA. You may apply voluntarily (KRW 10,000) to skip filling in the arrival card.

· optional K-ETA

/03

Submit the e-Arrival Card

Since 1 January 2026 paper arrival forms are abolished. Submit the digital arrival card at eac.go.kr within 3 days before arrival.

· e-Arrival Card mandatory

/04

Arrive and clear immigration

Present passport at ICN, GMP, PUS, or other entry points. SmartEntry kiosks are open to registered repeat Japanese visitors.

· SmartEntry

/05

Plan for 2027 changes

From 1 January 2027 K-ETA becomes mandatory again. The exemption status is reviewed annually — confirm before booking trips spanning the change.

· K-ETA mandatory 2027

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

Japanese passport

Valid for the entire stay, 1 blank page

Confirmed return or onward ticket

Required at boarding and immigration

Accommodation evidence

Hotel booking, Airbnb, or host's address

e-Arrival Card

Mandatory; submit within 3 days before arrival

K-ETA (optional)

KRW 10,000; skip arrival card if applied

Funds evidence

Cash or cards if asked at immigration

Travel insurance

Recommended; healthcare for foreigners is moderate

Tax-free shopping plan

Carry passport for tax refunds at department stores

SmartEntry registration

For frequent Japanese visitors — Incheon Airport service desk

Yellow fever certificate (if applicable)

Required from at-risk countries

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa-free entryFreeUp to 90 days

e-Arrival CardFreeMandatory since 1 January 2026

K-ETA (optional)KRW 10,000Skips arrival card; valid 3 years

K-ETA (from 2027)KRW 10,000Mandatory once exemption expires 31 Dec 2026

Visa for paid work / studyVariesThrough Korean embassy/consulate in Japan

Total estimateFree — KRW 10,000incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival

Minutes

Standard airport entry with e-Arrival Card scan.

K-ETA application (optional)

Up to 72 hours

Online at k-eta.go.kr; approval valid 3 years. From 2027 it'll be required.

Long-stay visa (work, study, family)

1-4 weeks

Through Korean embassy in Tokyo or consulate in Osaka, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Sendai, or Nagoya.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

e-Arrival Card not submitted

Required for every foreign arrival since 1 January 2026. Missing it slows processing or triggers questions.

Medium

/02

Suspected long-stay residency

Repeated back-to-back visa-free stays can lead to questions at the border about your actual residency.

Low

/03

Wrong visa for purpose

Visa-free covers tourism, business meetings, and family visits — not paid work, paid internships, formal study, or journalism.

Medium

/04

Prior overstay or removal

Past Korean overstays or breaches result in denied entry or short stays.

Low

/05

Criminal record concerns

Convictions involving violence, drugs, or fraud can lead to refusal even with visa-free privileges.

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

Japan to South Korea route verified

Confirmed visa-free 90-day entry, K-ETA exemption through 31 December 2026, e-Arrival Card mandatory since 1 January 2026.

2026-01-02 · major

K-ETA exemption extended

South Korea extended the K-ETA waiver for 22 countries (including Japan, US, UK, Canada, Australia) through 31 December 2026 under the 'Visit Korea Year' initiative.

2026-01-01 · major

Paper arrival cards abolished

All foreign arrivals must use the e-Arrival Card. Paper TM forms are no longer accepted.

/09 — The questions