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South Korea to United States visa requirements

Korean passports use ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program — $40.27 fee, 90-day stays. South Korean ordinary passport holders travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). They need an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before boarding any flight or cruise to the US. ESTA permits stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, or transit, with multiple entries during its 2-year validity. The current official ESTA total is USD 40.27; applications are filed online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and may take up to 72 hours for a decision. Travelers must hold a biometric e-Passport.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19
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 →South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19
Visa type
ESTA under Visa Waiver Program
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per visit
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 40.27
consular fee only
Processing time
Usually minutes (allow 72 hours)
standard track
Validity
2 years or until passport expires
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport eligibility
You must hold a Korean biometric e-Passport with an electronic chip. Emergency or temporary passports must also be e-passports to use the VWP.
· ePassport
/02
Apply on the official CBP site
Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov — not third-party sites. Complete personal, travel, and eligibility questions (criminal history, communicable disease, prior visa refusals).
· esta.cbp.dhs.gov only
/03
Pay the fee
USD 40.27 by card or PayPal. The official total is split into a processing fee paid on submission and an authorization fee charged only if approved.
· USD 40.27 total
/04
Wait for the decision
Most ESTAs are approved within minutes. Some need up to 72 hours. Apply at least 72 hours before flying to be safe.
· 72 hours buffer
/05
Travel and clear immigration
ESTA is digitally linked to your passport — no printout needed. At the US airport, present your passport and complete the customs declaration. Officer decides final entry and stay.
· officer discretion at POE
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
South Korea -> United States · ESTA under Visa Waiver Program
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredKorean biometric e-Passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Must have an electronic chip and be valid for the entire stay
RequiredApproved ESTA
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Linked to passport number, valid 2 years
RequiredReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Required for VWP travelers
RequiredAccommodation evidence
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Hotel booking, host's address, or Airbnb confirmation
ConditionalFunds evidence
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Bank statements or credit cards if asked
RecommendedTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Strongly recommended — US healthcare costs are very high
ConditionalOnward itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
If your trip is part of a longer journey
RequiredESTA disqualifiers check
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, or Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021, makes you ineligible
RequiredCustoms declaration
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Filed via Mobile Passport Control app, CBP One, or paper on arrival
ConditionalGlobal Entry card (if applicable)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Korea is an eligible country for Global Entry application
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
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 sourcesOfficial ESTA Application — U.S. CBPUSAGov — Visa Waiver Program and ESTA applicationU.S. State Department — Visa Waiver Program
Application link included: Official ESTA Application — U.S. CBP
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
ESTA applicationUSD 40.27Current official total listed by USAGov/CBP
B-1/B-2 visitor visaUSD 185Alternative if ESTA refused or longer stay needed
Visa Integrity FeeFree for ESTAMinimum USD 250 if a visitor visa is issued; VWP travelers exempt
Visa interview at US embassy SeoulIncluded in MRVB visa applications go through ustraveldocs.com
Global Entry / TSA PreCheckUSD 120 / USD 78Optional trusted-traveler programmes
Total estimateUSD 40.27 — USD 435+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

ESTA decision
Minutes to 72 hours
Most are automatic; apply at least 72 hours before flying.
B-1/B-2 visa interview
Weeks to months
Wait times vary at US Embassy Seoul. Many travelers prefer ESTA for short trips.
Global Entry approval
Varies
Optional trusted-traveler programme; Korean citizens apply through CBP after Smart Entry Service eligibility steps.
ESTA renewal
Same as new
Re-apply when your ESTA or passport is close to expiring.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
ESTA ineligibility
Travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, or Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, makes you ESTA-ineligible. Apply for a B visa instead.
Medium
/02
Past US visa refusal
Any prior US visa refusal — even years ago — disqualifies ESTA. Apply for a B visa and explain the refusal.
Medium
/03
Criminal record
Convictions involving 'moral turpitude' (theft, fraud, drugs, assault) typically bar ESTA use. A B visa with a waiver of inadmissibility may be needed.
Low
/04
Wrong purpose at POE
VWP covers tourism, business meetings, and short courses — not paid work, paid internships, or settlement.
Medium
/05
Dual nationality with restricted country
Dual nationals of Korea and Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria cannot use ESTA, even on the Korean passport.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
CBP inspection
A visa lets you request admission. CBP decides the actual period of stay and records it in your I-94.
/02
Customs
Declare food, agricultural items, and cash over USD 10,000. Missing declarations can cause fines or seizure.
/03
Connectivity
Airport SIMs are expensive; eSIMs or prepaid plans bought online often work better for short trips.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-19
South Korea to United States route rechecked
Reconfirmed VWP/ESTA eligibility, 90-day stay limit, e-Passport requirement, current USD 40.27 ESTA total, and updated ESTA disqualifier dates against official sources.
2026-05-27
South Korea to United States route verified
Confirmed ESTA under Visa Waiver Program, ESTA fee, and e-Passport requirement.
2025-09-30 · major
ESTA fee increase took effect
Official ESTA fee guidance now lists a USD 40.27 total; Visa-Waiver travelers are outside normal visitor-visa application fees.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Korean passport holders need a US visa?—
No — South Korea is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You only need an approved ESTA before boarding. ESTA is not a visa, but it's required.
How long does an ESTA last?+
Can I work or study in the US on ESTA?+
Has the ESTA fee changed?+
Can I apply for Global Entry?+
What about dual Korean/American citizens?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the South Korea passport

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Compare the South Korea passport
Stack it up against another passport→
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South Korea visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
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South Korea passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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