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🇹🇭THAILAND
🇰🇷SOUTH KOREATH-KR

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

Visa-free up to 90 days under bilateral agreement. K-ETA waived through 31 December 2026. Thai ordinary passport holders enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days per entry under the long-standing Thailand-Korea bilateral visa exemption agreement. This 90-day arrangement was preserved in May 2026 when Korea reduced its general visa-free stay to 30 days for some countries — Thailand kept its 90-day privilege. K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) is normally required for visa-exempt nationals, but Korea waived K-ETA for Thailand and several other priority tourism markets through 31 December 2026. Thailand was Korea's biggest tourism source from Southeast Asia in 2025, and the waiver supports the 2026 Visit Korea Year campaign.
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.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Visa-free entry (bilateral)
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 validity
Must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival with 1 blank page for entry stamp.
· 6-month rule
/02
Confirm K-ETA waiver status
Thailand is on Korea's K-ETA waiver list through 31 December 2026 — no K-ETA needed. Pre-2026 trips required K-ETA.
· 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
Thai passport
Valid 6 months on arrival, 1 blank page
Return or onward ticket
Required at boarding and immigration
Accommodation address
Hotel booking or host's address
Funds evidence
THB 30,000+ equivalent or credit card
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 navigation and Naver Maps
T-money card
Optional but recommended for transit
International Driving Permit
Required to drive (Thai licence not accepted alone)
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeUp to 90 days under bilateral agreement
K-ETAWaivedThailand on K-ETA waiver list through 31 December 2026
e-Arrival CardFreeOptional digital arrival card
Long-stay visa (work/study)VariesThrough Korean embassy in Bangkok
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 Korean embassy in Bangkok.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Insufficient travel evidence
No return ticket, vague itinerary, or unclear accommodation can lead to questioning.
Low
/02
Suspected work intent
Carrying obvious work gear, multiple resumes, or pre-arranged paid engagements can prompt refusal.
Medium
/03
Past Korean overstays
Any prior overstay or removal heavily affects future visa-free entries.
Medium
/04
Suspected illegal employment
Korean immigration has historically been strict with some Thai travellers; carry strong evidence of return.
Medium
/05
Insufficient funds
Show THB 30,000+ equivalent or credit card with available limit.
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
Thailand to Korea route verified
Confirmed bilateral 90-day visa-free, K-ETA waived through 31 December 2026.
2025-12-31 · major
K-ETA waiver extended through 2026
Korea extended K-ETA waiver for Thailand (and 21 other priority markets) through 31 December 2026.
2024-04-01
Bilateral 90-day preserved
Thailand retained 90-day visa-free privilege when Korea reformed visa-exempt durations.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Thai citizens need a visa for South Korea?—
No — Thai ordinary passport holders enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days under the Thailand-Korea bilateral visa exemption agreement, longer than the general 60-day waiver.
Do I need K-ETA in 2026?+
Can I stay longer than 90 days?+
Do I need 6 months on my passport?+
What is the e-Arrival Card?+
Can I drive in Korea with my Thai licence?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Thailand passport

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