Requirements for traveling to South Korea: K-ETA, visa, and e-Arrival Card

South Korea is one of the easiest destinations to visit from the Americas, but it has one requirement that confuses many travelers: the K-ETA. In this guide we explain the requirements for traveling to South Korea in 2026 if you hold a passport from Mexico, the United States, Puerto Rico or Costa Rica.

We'll sort everything out step by step: whether or not you need a visa, what exactly the K-ETA is, what's happening with the temporary exemption that expires at the end of 2026, when you have to fill out the e-Arrival Card, what to check on your passport and your layovers, and what the most common mistakes are. At the end you'll find a checklist so nothing slips through the cracks.

Do I need a visa to travel to South Korea?

For short-stay tourism, no. Mexico, the United States and Costa Rica have visa exemptions with South Korea. What may apply to you is the K-ETA, which isn't a visa but an electronic pre-travel authorization.

Visa and electronic authorization: the difference

Many people use the two words as if they were the same thing, but they're not. A visa is a permit you apply for at a consulate or embassy, with a longer process. An electronic authorization like the K-ETA is a quick, inexpensive online registration for travelers from countries that can already enter without a visa. Korea uses it to know in advance who is coming.

If you're traveling for tourism, to visit friends or to tour the country on a group trip, what matters to you is the electronic authorization and the arrival card. If your trip had another purpose, such as working or studying, the rules are different and you should check them directly with the Korean embassy in your country.

What is the K-ETA

The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is a permit you apply for online before boarding the plane. It works much like the US ESTA.

• Cost: ₩10,000 per person (about USD 8), non-refundable.
• Where to apply: only on the official website, k-eta.go.kr. Be wary of sites that charge more.
• Validity: several years or until your passport expires, with multiple entries. If you renew your passport, you must apply again.
• When to apply: in advance, at least a few days before your flight.

How to apply for the K-ETA step by step

1. Go to the official website, k-eta.go.kr, from your computer or phone. Type the address yourself instead of clicking on ads.
2. Select your nationality. At this step the system tells you whether your country is temporarily exempt. If it is, you don't need to continue.
3. Have your passport handy. The form asks for your passport and travel details. Copy them exactly as they appear on the document.
4. Review everything before submitting. A mistake in your passport number or date of birth can cause problems when boarding.
5. Pay the ₩10,000 online. Remember that it's non-refundable.
6. Check the result on the same official website and save the confirmation on your phone, in case you're asked for it.

When to do it

The most prudent thing is to apply as soon as you've bought your flight, and at least a few days before traveling. Doing it with time to spare lets you react if there's an error or if the application isn't approved; in that case, check with the Korean embassy in your country. Leaving it for the night before your flight is one of the most common sources of stress.

Beware of unofficial websites

If you search for "K-ETA" online, you'll find websites that look a lot like the official one and charge several times more to "help" you with the application. They aren't the Korean government's site. The only official address is k-eta.go.kr, and the cost is ₩10,000. If a website charges you much more, be suspicious.

K-ETA and ESTA: similar, but not the same

If you live in the United States or have ever applied for an ESTA, the logic of the K-ETA will feel familiar: an online form, a small payment and an electronic response before you travel. The difference is that each country has its own system, its own official website and its own rules. An approved ESTA won't work for Korea, and the K-ETA won't work for the United States. If you're traveling to several countries in the same year, keep a list of what you applied for in each and with which passport.

Why Korea requires this

Korea created the K-ETA to screen people who can enter without a visa before they travel, much like the United States, Canada or the European Union do with their own systems. For you, the advantage is that the screening happens before you board the plane and not when you arrive exhausted after many hours of flying. The temporary exemption we explain below was a measure to make it easier for tourists to arrive, not a permanent elimination of the requirement.

The temporary K-ETA exemption until December 2026

To boost tourism, Korea temporarily suspended the K-ETA requirement for citizens of a list of countries. That exemption is in effect until December 31, 2026.

If you're traveling in 2027 or later, check whether the exemption was extended: if not, the K-ETA will once again be mandatory for all the countries that are exempt today.

What "exempt" means in practice

Being exempt from the K-ETA doesn't mean you don't have to do anything. It means that, instead of the K-ETA, you enter with your passport and fill out the e-Arrival Card before you land. In other words: you swap one requirement for another, simpler and free. Many travelers get confused at this point and arrive with neither.

If your trip is in 2027 or spans the new year

Since the exemption expires on December 31, 2026, pay attention if your trip is in early 2027 or if you're buying a ticket for next year now. Korea has extended this exemption before, but there's no guarantee it will do so again. The recommendation is simple: a few weeks before you travel, go to k-eta.go.kr, choose your nationality and see what the system tells you at that moment. If you're no longer exempt, apply for the K-ETA in good time.

Requirements by passport

Now let's bring it all down to your specific case. These scenarios summarize what we've already covered, organized by nationality.

If you have a Mexican passport

• Visa: you don't need one for short-stay tourism.
• K-ETA: sources disagree on whether Mexico is on the temporary exemption list. Go to k-eta.go.kr and select your nationality: if the system doesn't show you as exempt, apply for it.
• e-Arrival Card: fill it out if you enter without a K-ETA.
• Layover: if your flight goes through the United States, you need a valid US visa.

If you have a US passport (and if you're from Puerto Rico)

• Visa: you don't need one for short-stay tourism.
• K-ETA: the United States is on the exemption list until December 31, 2026. Puerto Ricans, as US citizens, follow the same rules.
• e-Arrival Card: since you're entering without a K-ETA, you must fill it out before you land.
• From 2027: check whether the exemption was extended.

If you have a Costa Rican passport

• Visa: you don't need one for short-stay tourism.
• K-ETA: required. Costa Rica isn't on the temporary exemption list.
• e-Arrival Card: if you have a K-ETA, you normally don't need to fill it out.
• Layover: if your flight goes through the United States, you need a valid US visa.

If you have dual nationality

If you have, for example, both a Mexican and a US passport, decide which one you'll use to enter Korea and use that same passport for everything: the K-ETA or e-Arrival Card, the plane ticket and immigration control. Mixing passports is a source of confusion at the airline counter. The requirements that apply to you are those of the passport you present.

e-Arrival Card: the electronic arrival card

Korea replaced the paper arrival card with the e-Arrival Card, which you fill out online on the official website e-arrivalcard.go.kr in the days before your arrival. The general rule is:

• If you have a K-ETA, you normally don't need to fill it out.
• If you don't have a K-ETA (for example, because your country is exempt), you must fill it out before you land.

Since the rules have been adjusted over time, check the official website before your trip.

How to fill out the e-Arrival Card step by step

1. Go to e-arrivalcard.go.kr, the official website, in the days before your arrival.
2. Have your passport handy, along with your flight details and the address of your accommodation in Korea.
3. Fill out the form carefully, copying the details exactly as they appear in your passport.
4. Review and submit. Save a screenshot or the confirmation on your phone.

If you're traveling with a group, have the hotel address saved on your phone ahead of time, because it's one of the most commonly forgotten details.

K-ETA or e-Arrival Card?

Passport and other requirements

• Valid passport: we recommend at least six months of validity when you travel.
• Onward ticket out of Korea and the address of your accommodation.
• If you have a layover in the United States on a Mexican or Costa Rican passport, you need a valid US visa.
• Travel insurance with medical coverage: Korea doesn't require it, but it's essential (and mandatory in our groups).

Passport validity

Check your passport's expiration date before you buy your flight, not a week before you travel. If you only have a few months left, renew it first and then apply for the K-ETA with the new passport: that way you avoid paying for it twice. In Mexico, Costa Rica and the United States, renewal can take longer than you expect during high-demand seasons.

Layovers in the United States

This is one of the points that causes the most problems for Mexican and Costa Rican travelers. Even if you don't leave the airport, to have a layover in the United States you need a valid US visa. If you don't have one, choose a route with a layover in another country and check that country's transit rules before you buy. For travelers with a US passport, including Puerto Ricans, this layover doesn't involve any extra paperwork.

Travel insurance

Korea doesn't require insurance to enter, but medical care for an uninsured foreigner can be very expensive. Choose a policy with good medical coverage, assistance in Spanish if possible, and that also covers luggage and cancellations. On our group trips it's mandatory, precisely so that nobody is left unprotected.

Onward ticket and accommodation

Keep your return ticket or onward ticket out of Korea and the address of your accommodation handy. It's information the airline or immigration may ask for, and you also need it for the e-Arrival Card. Save it on your phone and, just in case, on paper.

What to expect when you arrive in Korea

With your papers in order, arrival is usually simple. When you get off the plane you go through immigration control, where you show your passport; then you collect your suitcase and go through customs. Have your accommodation details and onward ticket ready in case they ask for them.

Before: at the airline counter

The first check doesn't happen in Korea, but at the departure airport. At check-in, the airline reviews your passport and may verify that you meet the entry requirements for your destination and your layovers. That's why it's so important that your K-ETA, if you need one, is done with the same passport you present, and that you have a US visa if your route goes through the United States. Arrive early with your confirmations handy: if there's a question, it's much easier to sort out without rushing.

After: at the arrival airport

Once you're in the arrivals area, the first useful thing is to activate your eSIM or mobile data and get a T-money transit card to get around. If you need help during your trip, the Korea Tourism Organization runs the 1330 tourist helpline. To prepare these details, check our eSIM and Global66 card guide and the list of what to pack for a trip to Asia.

Documents worth bringing (on paper and on your phone)

None of these documents is new: they're the ones we've already covered, organized for travel day. Keep each one on your phone and, in case your battery dies or you have no signal, a printed copy in your carry-on.

• Original passport, with the validity we recommend.
• K-ETA confirmation, if you applied for one, or e-Arrival Card confirmation, if you're entering without a K-ETA.
• US visa, if you have a layover there on a Mexican or Costa Rican passport.
• Onward ticket out of Korea or return ticket home.
• Address and phone number of your accommodation in Korea.
• Travel insurance policy, with the assistance phone number.
• A copy or photo of your passport's data page, kept separately from the original.

If you're traveling with your family

When several people travel together, each one needs their own passport and their own application, even if you all do them on the same day. When filling out the forms, calmly check each person's details: it's very easy to copy someone else's passport number by mistake. If you're traveling with minors or with older people who don't use technology much, take care of the paperwork for them in good time and check the official website for any specific instructions for their case.

If you combine Korea with another country on the same trip

Many travelers take advantage of the long flight to also visit Japan or another country in Asia. In that case, remember that each country has its own requirements and they don't "carry over" from one to another. Meeting Korea's requirements doesn't mean you meet Japan's, and vice versa.

Entering and leaving Korea more than once

If your route has you entering Korea, leaving for another country and entering again, the K-ETA helps because it allows multiple entries during its validity. If you enter without a K-ETA because your country is exempt, check on the official e-Arrival Card website how it works for each arrival. And if one of those entries happens in 2027, check again whether the temporary exemption is still in effect.

Plan the order of your trip

Before buying your flights, map out the full route with dates: where you're leaving from, which countries you have layovers in, in what order you visit each destination and where you return from. With that route in front of you, it's much easier to see what paperwork you need and when to do it. For Japan, see our guide to entry requirements for Japan.

What to do if something goes wrong

Nobody wants to think about problems before a dream trip, but having a plan gives you peace of mind.

• If your K-ETA isn't approved: don't buy more tickets or keep trying on unofficial websites. Check with the Korean embassy in your country about the right path for your case.
• If you notice a mistake in your details: check on the official website how to correct it, and do it before your flight, not at the airport.
• If you lose your passport during the trip: report it to the local police and contact your country's embassy or consulate in Korea. That's why it's so useful to carry a separate copy.
• If you have a health problem: call your travel insurance assistance line before going to a clinic, if the situation allows.
• If you need general guidance: the Korea Tourism Organization's 1330 tourist helpline assists visitors.

Paperwork timeline: what to do and when

Spacing out your paperwork over time avoids last-minute scares. Here's a rough guide:

Myths and facts about the K-ETA

• "If I don't need a visa, I don't need anything else." False. You may need the K-ETA or, if you're exempt, the e-Arrival Card.
• "You get the K-ETA when you arrive in Korea." False. You apply for it online before boarding the plane.
• "Any website that says K-ETA is official." False. The only official website is k-eta.go.kr, and the cost is ₩10,000.
• "The K-ETA is only good for one trip." False. It's valid for several years or until your passport expires, with multiple entries.
• "The exemption is forever." False. It's in effect until December 31, 2026; after that you need to check whether it was extended.
• "All countries in the Americas have the same rules." False. The United States is exempt, Costa Rica isn't, and for Mexico sources disagree.

Common paperwork mistakes

• Thinking "no visa" means "no paperwork": even if you don't need a visa, you may need a K-ETA or an e-Arrival Card.
• Applying on a fake website and paying much more than the official ₩10,000.
• Using different details on the K-ETA and the plane ticket, for example with a different passport.
• Renewing your passport after getting the K-ETA and not applying again.
• Forgetting the US visa for a layover in the United States.
• Assuming the exemption continues in 2027 without checking.
• Trusting something from social media instead of verifying on the official website.

How we support you on our group trips

Paperwork is the least exciting part of the trip, but also the one that raises the most questions. On our group trips to South Korea, before the tickets are issued we review with you which paperwork you need based on your passport, so the flight route is compatible with your documents. You also receive a travel manual with the practical information, insurance is mandatory for the whole group and you travel with a Spanish-speaking guide.

In practice, that means you don't have to guess which flight route suits your documents, or find out at the airport that you were missing something. If you're traveling from Mexico without a US visa, for example, we take that into account when choosing the route. If your passport expires soon, we tell you in time to renew it. And if the K-ETA rules change before departure, we let you know so you can complete the right paperwork.

You won't have to figure anything out on your own.— Viajeterapia

If it's your first trip to Asia or you're traveling without a companion, you may also want to read whether organized group travel is safe and what it's like traveling solo but never alone. And if you're thinking of combining destinations, compare with the entry requirements for Japan.

We were born so that no one who dreams of seeing the world stays home for lack of someone to go with.— Catalina Quenaya, founder of Viajeterapia

Checklist before traveling to South Korea

Now that your paperwork is clear, work out how much it costs to travel to South Korea, discover what to see in Korea and choose the best time to visit Korea.

In summary

To travel to South Korea as a tourist with a passport from Mexico, the United States or Costa Rica you don't need a visa. What you do need to check is the K-ETA: the United States (including Puerto Rico) is exempt until December 31, 2026, Costa Rica must apply for it, and for Mexico sources disagree, so confirm at k-eta.go.kr by choosing your nationality. If you enter without a K-ETA, fill out the e-Arrival Card before you land. And don't forget a valid passport, a US visa if you have a layover there, and good travel insurance.

If you had to keep just three steps, make them these: check your passport before buying your flight, go to k-eta.go.kr and choose your nationality to find out if you need the K-ETA, and if you enter without it, fill out the e-Arrival Card in the days before arrival. With that sorted, you can start thinking about the fun part: the palaces, the food and the K-Pop neighborhoods.

If you want to travel with someone who goes over these details with you, write to us and we'll tell you about dates and availability for the next group.

Frequently asked questions about the requirements for traveling to South Korea

Sources consulted