Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York

Consular/Visa Service

Visa Waiver Program(VWP)

Consular/Visa Service
Visa Waiver Program(VWP)

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) On November 17, 2008, the Republic of Korea joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). As a result, on reciprocity, U.S. citizens can visit the Republic of Korea without a visa for duration of up to 90 days or less if the purpose of the trip is for tourism, business meeting, attendance at a conference or visiting families or relatives. (Extension of stay is not permitted). From September 2021, U.S. Citizen who is qualified for Visa Waiver Program(VMP) must get a Electronic Travel Authorization(ETA) before enter to Republic of Korea.
For Non-U.S. citizen, Visa Exemption Agreement https://www.visa.go.kr/
For Non-U.S. citizen, Visa Free Entry by Designation https://www.visa.go.kr/

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Starting from this May(2021), the Ministry of Justice plans to launch a pilot project for the electronic travel authorization (hereinafter referred to as ETA) for visa-free entry foreign nationals(Visa Waiver Program:VWP*), after a five-month preparation period including establishing legal grounds. After following a five-month preparation, ETA will be fully implemented from September 2021. * VWP: See link https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-newyork-en/wpge/m_12040/contents.do#btnPrint

Eligibility : Once the ETA policy is implemented, visa-free entry travelers who intend to enter the Republic of Korea for tourism, etc. will be required to obtain permission in advance by providing personal and travel related information online. In case the COVID-19 situation continues, the eligible persons for ETA will be ① nationals of 21 countries that can currently enter the Republic of Korea without a visa, and ② priority entry persons such as business persons from the 91 countries that are temporarily suspended visa-free entry. - (21 countries) the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Nicaragua, Dominican Federation, Barbados, Venezuela, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Malta, Ireland, Guyana, Monaco, Vatican City, San Marino, Andorra, Albania, Slovenia, Guam, New Caledonia, Palau.
Application and Fee Travelers are required to apply for the ETA through the Korea ETA website or mobile phone app* at least 24 hours before boarding their flight. Applicants must pay the 10,000 KRW fee online. However, ETA will be optional for visa-free travelers during the pilot project period from May to August. The fee is waived for those applying during this period, and the ETA will be valid for 2 years. (PC) http://www.k-eta.go.kr (Mobile) http://m.k-eta.go.kr
How to Apply for K-ETA and Make a Payment
Result Notification Decisions will be made after carrying out assessment based on the information provided by the applicant, and the result will be notified to the applicant’s e-mail address.
Validity The boarding pass to Korea will only be issued when the traveler has received an ETA in advance. Once the traveler obtains an ETA, he/she does not need to receive it again for 2 years.
Benefits Foreign nationals approved of an ETA will be exempt from submitting an arrival card and thus be able to go through entry immigration quickly.