to · United States passport to South Korea
Do US passport holders need a visa for South Korea?
Yes — apply online (ETA)
How long you can stay
90 days
Under the ETA
Visa fee
$10
Approximate in USD — check official site for local-currency amount
Processing time
2 days
Typical turnaround — add buffer for peak season
Requirements
What you’ll need
- 01Passport valid 6 months beyond entry
- 02K-ETA approval before boarding flight
- 03~10,000 KRW fee (~$10)
- 04Valid 3 years once approved
Notes
K-ETA was temporarily waived for US passport holders during 2023-2025 Korea tourism push. Resumed requirement in early 2026. Apply at least 72 hours before departure via the official k-eta.go.kr — beware third-party copycat sites.
Source of truth
Verify before you book
Official source ↗
K-ETA — Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (official)
Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea
https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do
Last verified April 22, 2026. Visa rules can change — we recommend confirming with the official source within 2 weeks of booking flights.
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