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🇺🇸UNITED STATES
🇰🇷SOUTH KOREAUS-KR

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

Americans get 90 days visa-free in South Korea; K-ETA required at k-eta.go.kr (KRW 10,000, valid 3 years). US passport holders enjoy 90 days visa-free entry to South Korea as tourists. The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) must be obtained online at k-eta.go.kr for KRW 10,000 (~USD 8.50) and is valid for 3 years, multiple entries. K-ETA exemption for 22 countries including the US was offered through Dec 31, 2025 - check k-eta.go.kr for current 2026 status. Korean Air, Asiana, United, Delta, and American serve Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Chicago (ORD), Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), and New York (JFK) direct to Incheon (ICN). Work, study, journalism, and longer stays require an appropriate visa class (D-2, E-1 to E-7, H-1) from a Korean embassy. Overstays are taken seriously and can result in re-entry bans.
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.
United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Visa-free + K-ETA
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries allowed
from issue date
Visa fee
KRW 10,000 (~USD 8.50) K-ETA
consular fee only
Processing time
K-ETA approved within 72 hours
standard track
Validity
K-ETA valid 3 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
US passport valid 6+ months beyond intended departure with 1 blank page.
· 6 months validity
/02
Apply for K-ETA
At k-eta.go.kr at least 72 hours before travel. Pay KRW 10,000 by card. Save the approval QR.
· K-ETA required· KRW 10,000
/03
Book onward/return ticket
Confirmed ticket out of Korea within 90 days; airlines may deny boarding without one.
· onward ticket
/04
Arrive at Incheon (ICN)
Use SeS auto-gates (eligible) or counters. Up to 90 days visa-free stamp issued.
· 90-day stamp
/05
Track your stay
Note the 90-day expiry; Korean immigration is strict on overstays.
· check stamp date
/06
Extend or exit
In-country extensions are rare for tourists; visa-runs disallowed. Exit before 90 days.
· exit on time
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

6 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 6 complete
US passport
Valid 6+ months beyond departure, 1 blank page
K-ETA approval
KRW 10,000, valid 3 years multi-entry
Return/onward ticket
Confirmed flight out within 90 days
Accommodation details
Hotel booking or host address
Sufficient funds
USD 50-100/day recommended
Travel insurance
Recommended though not required
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
K-ETAKRW 10,000 (~USD 8.50)Valid 3 years multi-entry; renew if expired
Visa-free entryFreeUp to 90 days on arrival
Visa extensionKRW 60,000Rarely approved for tourists; exit before stamp expires
Work visa (E-7)KRW 80,000+Sponsored by Korean employer; multi-month process
Overstay penaltyKRW 100,000-30,000,000Plus deportation and re-entry ban
Total estimateUSD 8.50 — USD 8.50incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

K-ETA
Up to 72 hours
Apply at k-eta.go.kr; most approved within hours but allow 3 days.
Visa-free arrival
On arrival
SeS auto-gates (preregistration possible) or counters.
Extension request
Difficult for tourists
Most denied; visa-runs to Japan disallowed back-to-back.
Working visa
4-8 weeks
E-1 to E-7, H-1; requires sponsorship and degree/skills.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
K-ETA not obtained
Required for all visa-free entries (subject to current exemption list). Airlines deny boarding.
Medium
/02
Visa-run pattern
Frequent in-out trips raise immigration suspicion; secondary inspection possible.
Low
/03
Insufficient funds shown
ICN officers may request proof of accommodation and onward travel.
Low
/04
Overstay
Strict enforcement; multi-year re-entry bans common.
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
US to South Korea route verified
Confirmed 90-day visa-free + K-ETA for US citizens.
2021-09-01 · major
K-ETA introduced
All visa-free travellers must obtain K-ETA online before travel.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Americans need a visa for South Korea?—
No - up to 90 days visa-free. K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr (KRW 10,000, valid 3 years) is currently required unless your country is on the active exemption list - check k-eta.go.kr.
What is K-ETA?+
How long can I stay?+
Can I work on visa-free entry?+
Direct flights from US?+
What if my K-ETA is denied?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United States passport

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Compare the United States passport
Stack it up against another passport→
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United States visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇺🇸▤
United States passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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