South Korea has extended its K-ETA waiver until 31 December 2026, meaning nationals of 67 countries and territories — including all six GCC states — can continue entering Korea without applying for a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization. The extension was confirmed by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Justice and officially announced by the Korea Tourism Organization.
For travelers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, this is effectively a free pass: no K-ETA fee, no online application, no 72-hour waiting game before flights to Seoul or Busan.
One catch, though — a separate e-Arrival Card is now mandatory for everyone entering Korea from 1 January 2026. We cover what that means, and who’s on the full exempt list, below. Use Wego to compare flights to Seoul and search hotels in Seoul while the waiver is still in force.
What the K-ETA waiver extension actually means
The K-ETA is South Korea’s electronic travel authorization system, normally required before boarding a flight to Korea for nationals of visa-free countries. It costs KRW 10,000 (approximately USD 7–8) and is valid for up to three years.
Under the extended waiver, eligible travellers skip the K-ETA entirely. Key details:
- Effective period: 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 (Korea Standard Time)
- Who it covers: Nationals of 67 designated countries and territories
- Purpose of travel: Short-term tourism, transit, business meetings, and other short visits permitted under visa-free entry
- Maximum stay: Varies by nationality (typically 30, 60 or 90 days — the visa-free period itself has not changed)
- Announced by: Republic of Korea Ministry of Justice, via K-ETA portal notice dated 23 December 2025
Optional K-ETA — why some travelers still apply
Even if you’re exempt, you can voluntarily apply for a K-ETA. Doing so comes with one meaningful benefit: K-ETA holders are exempt from submitting the e-Arrival Card on every trip during the authorization’s validity period.
The standard KRW 10,000 fee still applies and is non-refundable. For a one-off trip, skipping the K-ETA makes sense. For frequent travellers who visit Korea multiple times a year, the optional K-ETA can save time at each entry.
Full list of 67 K-ETA exempt countries and territories
The official K-ETA portal publishes the exempt list. It spans every major region — all GCC states, most of the EU, the US and Canada, core ASEAN and East Asia markets, and much of Oceania.
| Region | Exempt countries and territories |
|---|---|
| Middle East | UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Israel |
| Europe | United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, San Marino, Vatican |
| Americas | United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Colombia |
| Asia | Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Brunei |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu |
| Africa | South Africa |
This is an indicative grouping of the 67 exempt territories as published on the official K-ETA portal. Before booking, confirm your nationality is listed at k-eta.go.kr — the exact list can be adjusted by Korea’s Ministry of Justice.
What it means for GCC travellers
The extension matters most for residents of the Gulf. All six GCC states — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — are on the exempt list, and Korea remains one of the easier long-haul destinations for Gulf passport holders to visit.
Here’s what the waiver changes on the ground:
- Last chance to benefit — the current waiver is explicitly temporary and expires 31 December 2026
- No K-ETA fee — saving KRW 10,000 (around AED 27 / SAR 27 / USD 7–8) per traveller
- No 72-hour pre-flight wait — the K-ETA usually requires advance submission, which can catch last-minute travellers off guard
- No separate portal to navigate — just a valid passport, a return ticket and the new e-Arrival Card (details below)
Flight connectivity from the Gulf
The Gulf-to-Korea route network is dense. From Dubai, Emirates operates daily direct flights to Seoul Incheon International Airport, as does Korean Air. Etihad Airways flies direct from Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways runs daily flights from Doha.
From Saudi Arabia, Saudia operates direct flights between Riyadh and Seoul. Connecting options via the major Gulf hubs are abundant — check flights to Seoul on Wego for the latest fares.
e-Arrival Card is now mandatory
The e-Arrival Card is a digital entry declaration that replaces the paper form you used to fill out on the plane. It’s free, takes a few minutes, and produces a QR code you show at immigration on arrival.
How to submit the e-Arrival Card
- Go to the official portal at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within three days (72 hours) before your arrival in Korea
- Fill in your passport details, flight number, intended address in Korea and contact information
- Submit and save the QR code that is generated
- Show the QR code at Korean immigration when you land
If you arrive without having submitted the e-Arrival Card, you’ll be directed to a self-service kiosk at the airport to complete it — which can add a long wait during peak hours at Incheon or Gimhae.
Who is exempt from the e-Arrival Card
Travelers who already hold a valid K-ETA approval do not need to file the e-Arrival Card separately — their K-ETA covers the entry declaration. Foreign residents of Korea holding a valid residence card, flight and ship crew on duty, and certain group e-visa holders are also exempt. This is the main practical reason a frequent visitor from the Gulf might still choose to apply for the optional K-ETA.
Should you apply for a K-ETA anyway?
For most single-trip travelers, skip the K-ETA. The waiver does what you need: you can travel without an application or fee, and the e-Arrival Card takes just a few minutes.
Consider applying for the optional K-ETA if:
- You plan to visit Korea multiple times within the next two to three years
- You travel often on short notice and don’t want to file an e-Arrival Card each time
- You prefer one confirmed approval on file rather than submitting a fresh declaration every trip
A valid K-ETA is good for up to three years (or until your passport expires), covers multiple entries, and removes the e-Arrival Card step on every visit. For a one-off holiday trip to Seoul, the waiver is the faster route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UAE and Saudi Arabia passport holders need a K-ETA in 2026?
No. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are on the K-ETA waiver list until 31 December 2026. You can enter Korea without applying for a K-ETA — you’ll just need a valid passport, a return ticket, and a completed e-Arrival Card.
How long can I stay in Korea under the K-ETA waiver?
The waiver does not change the visa-free stay period — it only waives the K-ETA application. Maximum stay depends on your nationality: 30 days for Saudi nationals, 90 days for UAE nationals, and 90 days for most EU countries and the US. Check the K-ETA portal for your specific allowance.
What is the e-Arrival Card and is it free?
The e-Arrival Card is a mandatory online entry declaration that replaces the paper arrival card. It is completely free and submitted via e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 72 hours (three days) before you arrive in Korea.
Will the K-ETA waiver be extended again after 2026?
No further extension has been announced. The current waiver is explicitly temporary and ends on 31 December 2026. Travel before that date to take advantage of the current rules; from 2027 onward, the K-ETA may once again be required.
Does the waiver cover transit passengers through Incheon?
Passengers transiting without clearing Korean immigration don’t need a K-ETA or e-Arrival Card. If you leave the transit area to explore Seoul between flights, standard visa-free entry rules apply — and if you’re from an exempt country, the waiver covers you.
Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization (Visit Korea) — K-ETA Exemption Period Extended Until 2026
- Official K-ETA Portal — Republic of Korea Ministry of Justice
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada — Extension of Temporary Exemption from K-ETA (until December 31, 2026)
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA — Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption
- Republic of Korea — Official e-Arrival Card Portal
- KPMG Global Mobility Services — South Korea: Extension of Temporary K-ETA Exemption for Eligible Nationals
- EY Global — Republic of Korea mandates e-Arrival Card for all foreign nationals effective 1 January 2026
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — 6th Basic Tourism Promotion Plan
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
