South Korea passport and entry requirements
Passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Last reviewed:
Exercise normal precaution in the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea). Large-scale demonstrations may occur with little notice, potentially disrupting transportation and other essential services. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. North Korea continues to conduct missile launches and other military activities that may increase tensions. Travelers should monitor local developments and
Passport you need
Visa-free for short tourist stays. Korea's K-ETA requirement has been temporarily waived for U.S. citizens in recent years — verify current status before departure.
Official U.S. Department of State country informationVisa and travel authorizations
K-ETA. Apply only through the official government website — lookalike sites charge a markup for the same authorization.
Before you book
- 1. Open your passport and read the expiration date. If it falls inside the validity window above, renew before you buy tickets.
- 2. Count your blank visa pages. Pages marked "amendments and endorsements" do not count as visa pages.
- 3. File any ETA, e-visa or arrival form on the official site, days before departure rather than at the airport.
- 4. Carry the passport book, not just the card, for any international flight.