Last updated: August 31, 2026
Planning a trip to South Korea in 2026? One of the things you may need to complete before arrival is the Korea e-Arrival Card.
The e-Arrival Card is Korea’s official electronic entry declaration. It replaces the traditional paper arrival card for travelers who are required to submit an arrival declaration.
The good news is that it is completely free, takes only a few minutes to complete, and can be submitted online before you travel.
However, not every traveler needs one. Whether you need an e-Arrival Card depends largely on your visa, K-ETA status, and Korean residence status.
This guide explains exactly who needs the Korea e-Arrival Card in 2026, when to submit it, how much it costs, and how to make sure you are using the official government website.
Quick Answer
| Question | Answer |
| What is it? | Korea’s official electronic arrival declaration |
| How much does it cost? | Free |
| When can I submit it? | From 3 days before arrival in Korea |
| Who generally needs it? | Foreign travelers who are required to submit an arrival declaration and are not exempt |
| Do valid K-ETA holders need it? | No |
| Do K-ETA-exempt travelers need it? | Generally yes, unless another exemption applies |
| Do Korean residence card holders need it? | No |
| Can I still use a paper arrival card? | Eligible travelers may use the electronic system instead of the paper declaration |
| Official website | Korea Ministry of Justice e-Arrival Card website |
What Is the Korea e-Arrival Card?
The Korea e-Arrival Card is an online version of the arrival declaration traditionally completed by foreign visitors entering South Korea.
Instead of filling out a paper form on the airplane or after arriving at the airport, eligible travelers can enter their information online before traveling.
The electronic declaration has the same effect as the paper arrival declaration. Once you successfully submit the e-Arrival Card, you do not need to complete another paper arrival card for the same entry.
The system is operated by Korea’s Ministry of Justice.
How Much Does the Korea e-Arrival Card Cost?
The Korea e-Arrival Card is:
100% free.
There is no government application fee.
This is especially important because fake websites have appeared online using names similar to the official e-Arrival Card service.
Some unofficial websites may ask for payment or credit card information.
The Korean government specifically warns travelers that the official e-Arrival Card service does not require payment information.
If a website asks you to pay just to submit Korea’s e-Arrival Card, double-check that you are using the official Korean government service.
When Should You Submit the e-Arrival Card?
You can submit the e-Arrival Card starting three days before your scheduled arrival in South Korea, based on Korea Standard Time.
For example, if you will arrive in Korea on September 10, you should complete the declaration within the permitted three-day submission window before arrival.
You cannot simply complete it weeks or months before your trip.
The official system displays the arrival dates that are currently available for submission.
Who Needs a Korea e-Arrival Card in 2026?
The simplest way to understand the rule is this:
If you are a foreign traveler who is required to submit an arrival declaration and you do not fall under one of the exemptions, you should submit an e-Arrival Card.
Common examples of travelers who may need to submit one include:
Travelers entering Korea with a valid Korean visa.
Travelers from countries or regions that are temporarily exempt from K-ETA.
Certain travelers who are otherwise exempt from applying for K-ETA.
The official Korea e-Arrival Card website also provides a Navigator where travelers can check whether they are required to submit an arrival declaration based on their visa, K-ETA, and residence status.Who Does NOT Need an e-Arrival Card?
Several groups are exempt.
For most international tourists, the most important exemptions are:
Korean citizens
Korean nationals do not complete an e-Arrival Card.
Korean residence card holders
Foreign nationals who hold a valid Korean Residence Card, including certain permanent residents and overseas Korean residents, are excluded.
Travelers with a valid K-ETA
If you already have a valid Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), you generally do not need to submit an e-Arrival Card.
There are also additional exemptions for certain group visa travelers, airline crew members, and other specific categories.
What About the 2026 K-ETA Temporary Exemption?
This is one of the most confusing parts for travelers visiting Korea in 2026.
South Korea has extended the temporary K-ETA exemption for eligible countries and regions through December 31, 2026.
However:
Being exempt from applying for K-ETA does not automatically mean you are exempt from the arrival declaration.
Travelers entering Korea under the temporary K-ETA exemption are among those who may be required to submit an e-Arrival Card.
By contrast, travelers who actually hold a valid approved K-ETA are excluded from submitting the arrival declaration.
This distinction is important:
K-ETA exempt ≠ e-Arrival Card exempt
We will explain this in more detail in our separate guide to K-ETA vs. the Korea e-Arrival Card.
What Information Do You Need?
The official submission process is straightforward.Y
ou should prepare:
Your email address
A valid passport
Your arrival and departure information
Your accommodation or stay information in Korea
The process includes agreeing to the terms, entering passport information, entering travel and stay details, reviewing the information, and submitting the declaration.
New for 2026: Verification Code
There is an important change for travelers submitting an e-Arrival Card in 2026.
Beginning May 6, 2026, Korea introduced an additional user-authentication step when submitting the e-Arrival Card.
Travelers may be required to enter a verification code during the submission process.
For this reason, use an email address that you can access easily while completing the application.
Do You Need to Print the e-Arrival Card?
Normally, you do not need to carry a printed copy of the submitted e-Arrival Card when going through Korean immigration.
After submission, an issue number is sent to the email address used for the declaration.
The Korean government notes that knowing or having access to your issue number may still be helpful during immigration inspection.
For convenience, you may want to keep the confirmation email accessible on your phone.
Be Careful With Fake e-Arrival Card Websites
This is worth repeating.
The Korean government has issued warnings about websites impersonating the official e-Arrival Card service.
The real Korean e-Arrival Card:
Is operated on a Korean government domain
Does not charge an application fee
Does not require payment information simply to submit the arrival declaration
If you find an e-Arrival Card website through a search engine or advertisement, check the domain carefully before entering your passport or personal information.
e-Arrival Card vs. K-ETA: They Are Not the Same
The Korea e-Arrival Card and K-ETA are two different systems.
The e-Arrival Card is an arrival declaration.
The K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization for eligible visa-free travelers.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need one, the other, or neither.
For travelers visiting Korea in 2026, the temporary K-ETA exemption makes this particularly confusing.
Our next guide explains the difference in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Korea e-Arrival Card free?
Yes. The official Korean government e-Arrival Card is completely free.
Can I submit it a month before traveling?
No. The official service allows submission starting three days before your scheduled arrival in Korea.
Do I need an e-Arrival Card if I already have a valid K-ETA?
Generally no. Valid K-ETA holders are excluded from the arrival declaration requirement.
I am temporarily exempt from K-ETA in 2026. Do I still need an e-Arrival Card?
In many cases, yes. K-ETA-exempt travelers are among those who may be required to complete the arrival declaration. Check the official e-Arrival Card Navigator for your specific situation.
Do Korean residence card holders need one?
No. Valid Korean Residence Card holders are among the groups excluded from the requirement.
Can I complete the e-Arrival Card after arriving in Korea?
It is designed to be completed online before entry, within the permitted three-day period before arrival. Completing it before traveling can make the arrival process simpler.
Final Thoughts
The Korea e-Arrival Card makes Korea’s arrival declaration process much easier for international travelers.
For most visitors, the key points are simple:
It is free, it can be completed within three days before arrival, and travelers should use only the official Korean government website.
The most important thing is to check whether you are required to submit one based on your K-ETA, visa, and residence status.
If you are visiting South Korea in 2026, check the official requirements shortly before your trip because immigration and K-ETA policies can change.