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🇰🇷SOUTH KOREA
🇺🇸UNITED STATESKR-US

Do South Korea passport holders need a visa to visit United States?

Korean passports use ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program — $40 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 application costs USD 40 (raised from USD 21 on 30 September 2025), is filed online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and most decisions arrive within minutes. Travelers must hold a biometric e-Passport — all Korean passports issued since August 2008 are biometric.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE 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.
South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
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
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. All standard Korean passports issued since August 2008 are biometric. Older passports must be renewed.
· 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 by card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover, or PayPal). Charged in two parts: a small processing fee on submission, the rest on approval.
· USD 40 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

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Korean biometric e-Passport
Issued since August 2008, valid for the entire stay
Approved ESTA
Linked to passport number, valid 2 years
Return or onward ticket
Required for VWP travelers
Accommodation evidence
Hotel booking, host's address, or Airbnb confirmation
Funds evidence
Bank statements or credit cards if asked
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended — US healthcare costs are very high
Onward itinerary
If your trip is part of a longer journey
ESTA disqualifiers check
Travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Yemen since March 2011 makes you ineligible
Customs declaration
Filed via Mobile Passport Control app, CBP One, or paper on arrival
Global Entry card (if applicable)
Korea is an eligible country for Global Entry application
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
ESTA applicationUSD 40Increased from USD 21 on 30 September 2025
B-1/B-2 visitor visaUSD 185Alternative if ESTA refused or longer stay needed
Visa Integrity FeeFree for ESTAUSD 250+ for B-visa holders; 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 — USD 250+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
Several months
Trusted-traveler programme; Korea has reciprocal access since 2021.
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, Yemen, or Cuba since 1 March 2011 (or later, depending on the country) 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 Korean/Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, North Korea citizens 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
2026-05-27
South Korea to United States route verified
Confirmed ESTA under Visa Waiver Program, USD 40 fee, e-Passport requirement.
2025-09-30 · major
ESTA fee raised to USD 40
CBP raised the ESTA fee from USD 21 to USD 40 under Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1). Visa-Waiver travelers are exempt from the new USD 250+ Visa Integrity Fee.
/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

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