Do U.S. citizens need a visa to visit South Korea?

 

Do U.S. citizens need a visa to visit South Korea?

A U.S. passport holder visiting South Korea for tourism or short-term business for 90 days or less generally does not need a Korean visa.

U.S. passport holders are also temporarily exempt from the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization, or K-ETA, through December 31, 2026. Under the current rule, K-ETA will be required beginning January 1, 2027.

However, a U.S. traveler using the temporary K-ETA exemption will generally need to submit a Korea e-Arrival Card before arriving.

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Required and recommended documents

1. Valid U.S. passport

Your passport must be valid when you enter South Korea. Korea currently has no specific requirement that a U.S. passport remain valid for six months beyond the date of entry.

Make sure the name on your passport matches the name on your airline ticket and reservations.

2. Korean visa, when applicable

A visa is not normally required when all of the following apply:

• You hold a regular U.S. passport.
• You are visiting for tourism or short-term business.
• You will stay for no more than 90 days.
• You will not work or engage in unauthorized income-producing activities.

A proper visa is required for employment, teaching, long-term study, residence, stays longer than 90 days, and other non-tourist purposes.

3. K-ETA

U.S. passport holders are exempt from K-ETA through December 31, 2026.

Under the current rule:

• Through December 31, 2026: K-ETA is not required for eligible U.S. travelers.
• Beginning January 1, 2027: K-ETA will be required before travel.

Travelers should verify the rule again shortly before departure because entry policies may change.

4. Korea e-Arrival Card

U.S. travelers entering under the temporary K-ETA exemption generally need to submit the electronic arrival card.

It is:

• Free of charge
• Submitted online
• Available within three days before arrival
• Completed using passport, flight and accommodation information

You should have the following information ready:

• Valid passport
• Email address
• Arrival and departure dates
• Flight information
• Name and address of your first accommodation in Korea
• Korean accommodation telephone number

The official Korean government service does not charge a fee. Travelers should avoid unofficial websites that request payment.

5. Return or onward ticket

Carry proof that you plan to leave Korea within the authorized period, such as:

• A return ticket to the United States
• An onward flight to another country
• A confirmed itinerary showing departure within 90 days

Keep both a digital copy and a PDF or printed copy.

6. Accommodation confirmation

Carry your hotel, Airbnb or guesthouse reservation showing:

• Property name
• Full address
• Telephone number
• Reservation number
• Check-in and check-out dates

Travelers staying with relatives or friends should have the host’s name, address and Korean telephone number.

7. Travel itinerary and financial access

It is helpful to carry:

• A basic itinerary
• Hotel confirmations
• Tour or attraction reservations
• A working credit card
• Access to financial information when necessary

Answer immigration questions truthfully and consistently regarding the purpose and length of your visit.

8. Customs and currency declarations

Travelers must declare goods that exceed applicable allowances or are restricted.

Special attention should be given to:

• Commercial quantities of merchandise
• Expensive goods
• Meat, fruit, plants and seeds
• Restricted medication
• Alcohol or tobacco exceeding allowances
• Cash, checks or other payment instruments exceeding US$10,000 in total

Amounts above US$10,000 must be declared to Korean Customs upon arrival.

9. Prescription medication documents

Keep medicine in its original labeled container and carry:

• A copy of the prescription
• A doctor’s letter in English
• The generic name of the medication
• An explanation of the medical purpose

Some narcotics, opioids, amphetamines and controlled medications may require advance authorization from Korean authorities, even when legally prescribed in the United States.

10. Vaccination certificate

No vaccination certificate is currently required for an ordinary U.S. tourist entering South Korea.

11. Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not normally an immigration requirement, but coverage for medical treatment, evacuation, cancellation and lost baggage is strongly recommended.

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Quick English checklist

Required for most 2026 U.S. tourists

• Valid U.S. passport
• Korea e-Arrival Card
• Flight information
• Address and telephone number of the first accommodation
• Korean visa only when staying longer than 90 days or traveling for work, study or another regulated purpose

Recommended

• Return or onward ticket
• Hotel confirmation
• Basic itinerary
• Passport photocopy
• Travel insurance
• Prescription and doctor’s letter
• Emergency contact information
• Digital and printed copies of important documents