[Updated]: South Korea Expansion of Visa-Free Applications to Travelers from Forty-Six Countries

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

This article was originally published on 31 March 2022 and was updated on 18 May 2022 to reflect new information.  

16 May 2022 Update: The government of South Korea expanded the list of which travelers can travel to South Korea without requiring an entry visa. These new countries include Brunei, Kuwait, New Zealand, Panama, Peru and Saudi Arabia. Although these travelers will be permitted to travel to South Korea visa-free, they will still need to submit a Korea electronic travel authorization (K-ETA) application. Generally, K-ETA authorization remains valid for multiple trips over a two-year period or until the applicant’s passport expires if this happens sooner.  


Key Points  

  • The government of South Korea expanded the list of countries in which travelers can travel to South Korea without requiring an entry visa  

Overview  

The government of South Korea announced that it will resume visa-free travel with 46 countries and regions beginning 1 April 2022. Although eligible travelers will be permitted to travel to South Korea visa-free, they will still need to submit a Korea electronic travel authorization (K-ETA) application. Generally, K-ETA authorization remains valid for multiple trips over a two-year period or until the applicant's passport expires if this happens sooner. The South Korean government noted that 16 countries in Asia, the Americas, and Oceania will remain suspended for the time being. For a complete list of these countries and regions, click here 

What are the Changes? 

The government of South Korea updated its list of approved countries and regions in which travelers can travel visa-free with K-ETA authorization. This change adds 46 countries to the current list of 50 locations in which the traveler does not require an entry visa in order to enter South Korea. As such, the list of visa-free travel countries will be 96 countries and regions.  

Looking Ahead  

The government advises that some delays in K-ETA application assessments are expected due to the expected increase in applications. Continue to check the government of South Korea’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.  


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This article was published on 31 March 2022 and may not be the most recent update concerning COVID-19 entrance restrictions, testing requirements and quarantine measurers. For the most recent updates be sure to check our Global Mobility Resource Center.

Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.