South Korea e-Arrival Card: How to Apply

Planning a trip to South Korea? 🇰🇷 Before you go, it’s important to understand the South Korea e-Arrival Card, an online arrival declaration that eligible travelers may need to complete before entering the country. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to apply for the Korea e-Arrival Card step by step, who needs to submit it, when to complete the form, and what information you should prepare. I’ll also explain the difference between the e-Arrival Card and K-ETA, so you can avoid confusion and get ready for a smoother arrival in South Korea. The good news is that the official Korea e-Arrival Card is free to submit through the official website. Read on for everything you need to know before your trip!

South Korea e-Arrival Card

What Is the South Korea e-Arrival Card?
Who Needs to Submit the e-Arrival Card?
Who Needs To Complete e-Arrival Card
Who Is Exempted from e-Arrival Card
When Should You Submit the e-Arrival Card?
How to Apply for the Korea e-Arrival Card
Step 1: Visit the Official South Korea e-Arrival Card Website
Step 2: Agree to the Terms and Enter Email Address
Step 3: Enter Passport Information
Step 4: Fill-up the Travel Information
Step 5: Review Information Carefully
Step 6: Check and Edit e-Arrival Card if Necessary
e-Arrival Card vs K-ETA: What’s the Difference?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts: South Korea e-Arrival Card

What is the South Korea e-Arrival Card

The South Korea e-Arrival Card is an electronic arrival declaration that allows eligible foreign travelers to submit their entry information online before arriving in South Korea. It replaces the traditional paper arrival card, making the arrival process more convenient for travelers. Through the official Korea e-Arrival Card website, travelers can provide their passport details, arrival flight information, and accommodation details in South Korea before going through immigration. The e-Arrival Card is completely free of charge and can be submitted online within three days before your arrival in South Korea, based on Korean Standard Time (KST). Once you have submitted the form, an issuance number will be sent to your email address. Travelers generally do not need to present a printed or digital copy at immigration, but it is helpful to keep the issuance number for reference.

Do note that this is a separate system from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) which requires some nationalities to acquire visa.

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Who Needs to Submit the e-Arrival Card?

In general, foreign travelers entering South Korea who are required to submit an arrival declaration need to complete the e-Arrival Card or submit the paper arrival card. This includes tourists visiting for short stays of 90 days or less, as well as certain foreign nationals entering for longer stays who have not yet registered as residents in South Korea.

Who Needs to Complete the e-Arrival Card?

All individuals generally need to submit the Korea e-Arrival Card if:

A tourist visiting South Korea: Foreign visitors entering for sightseeing, holidays or other short-term purposes who are required to submit an arrival declaration.
A visa holder: Travelers entering South Korea with a valid visa generally need to complete the arrival declaration, including those who hold a visa for a longer stay but have not yet registered as residents.
A visa-free traveler without a valid K-ETA: If you are eligible to enter South Korea without a visa but do not hold a valid K-ETA, you may need to submit the e-Arrival Card, depending on your circumstances

Who Is Exempt from the e-Arrival Card?

Individuals who are exempted or do not need to submit the e-Arrival Card if one of the following categories applies:

Valid K-ETA holders: Travelers with an approved and valid Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) are generally exempt when entering using that authorization.
Registered foreign residents in South Korea: This includes eligible holders of a Korean Residence Card, Permanent Resident Card or Overseas Korean Resident Card.
Certain group visa holders: Eligible travelers entering under designated group visa arrangements are exempt.
Airline crew members: Crew members covered by the applicable exemption do not need to submit the arrival declaration.
South Korean citizens: Korean nationals do not need to complete the foreign arrival declaration.

When Should You Submit the e-Arrival Card?

Individuals can submit the South Korea e-Arrival Card up to 3 days before your arrival in South Korea, based on Korean Standard Time (KST). It is best to complete the form within this submission window before your trip to avoid last-minute stress at the airport. According to the official Korea e-Arrival Card website, you can submit the declaration online using your computer or smartphone. If you are eligible and required to submit one, make sure you complete it before going through immigration inspection.

How Long Is the e-Arrival Card Valid?

Submitted e-Arrival Card becomes invalid after 72 hours from the time of submission if you have not entered South Korea within that period. If your arrival is delayed beyond the validity period, you will need to submit a new declaration. I recommend completing the form within the official three-day window and checking that your passport details, arrival date and accommodation information are correct before submitting.

Visitors can submit the online form 3 days before arrival to Korea.
Visitors who did not arrive within 72 hours, the online application will be invalid
Make sure to enter accurate information on the application, false or inaccurate information may be subject to penalties or entry restriction.

How to Apply for the Korea e-Arrival Card

Applying for the South Korea e-Arrival Card is straightforward and can be done online using your computer or smartphone. The process involves entering your email address, passport details and travel information before reviewing and submitting your declaration.

Before submitting the application, prepare the following information:

A valid passport
An active email address
Arrival date and flight number
Accommodation address in South Korea
Departure date and flight number

Step 1: Visit the Official Korea e-Arrival Card Website

Go to the official South Korea e-Arrival Card website.

On the homepage, select the option to submit an individual e-Arrival Card. If you are travelling with family or friends, the individual declaration process supports up to nine people in one submission. Group declarations for larger groups are also available through the website.

Important: Make sure you are using the official government website. The e-Arrival Card is free, so you should not have to pay a processing fee.

Step 2: Agree to the Terms and Enter Your Email Address

Read and agree the Terms and condition and the consent to collect and use of the personal information. Next, enter email address and confirm it as requested. Use an valid email address which is accessible. Once done, confirm by clicking the button on the “Agree to All” to proceed to the next step.

Enter a valid email address twice on the application. Do note the applicants under 14 years old, must declare the entry together with 14 years and above applicant.

Step 3: Enter Passport Information

Enter your passport details as requested on the form. Depending on the available options, you may be able to upload a photo of your passport or enter the information manually.

Check the following details carefully:

Full name as shown on your passport
Passport number
Nationality
Date of birth
Passport expiry date and other requested passport details

Make sure all information matches your passport exactly. Even a small spelling error or incorrect passport number could cause problems when your declaration is checked

Step 4: Fill-up The Travel Information

Next, provide travel itinerary and arrival details.

You will generally need to enter:

Arrival date: The date you will arrive in South Korea.
Arrival flight number: Your flight number for the journey into South Korea.
Purpose of visit: For example, tourism or another applicable purpose.
Accommodation details: The address and contact information for your hotel or other place of stay.
Departure information: Your intended departure date and flight details, if available.

Also fill-up the required information;

Purpose of Entry (ex. Tourism)
Intended of Stay Address and Contact Information
Occupation (ex. Office Worker)

If you are staying at a hotel, have its full address and contact details ready before starting the application. Double-check the information against your booking confirmation.

Step 5: Review Information Carefully

Before submitting the Korea e-Arrival Card, review all the information entered. Pay particular attention to the passport number, name, arrival date, flight number and accommodation address. Correct any mistakes before proceeding.

Once confirmed that all your details are correct, submit the form. After successful submission, e-Arrival Card issuance number and submission details will be provided. Individuals can also save or print the submitted information as a PDF for your own records.

After successfully submitted the application, the validity of e-arrival card is good for 72 hours.

Step 6: Check or Edit e-Arrival Card if Necessary

Check and discover if any error or travel details change, visit the official website and use the Check/Edit function to retrieve your declaration.

Travelers can check or edit eligible information before going through Korean immigration inspection, subject to the website’s rules. Note that changes to your arrival date are subject to a specific time limit, so check the official instructions if your flight is rescheduled.

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e-Arrival Card vs K-ETA: What's the Difference?

The e-Arrival Card is an electronic arrival declaration that replaces the traditional paper arrival card, while K-ETA is a travel authorization for eligible visa-free travelers who need it to enter South Korea.

Korea e-Arrival Card

Purpose: Submit your arrival declaration
Who Needs It: Travelers required to submit an arrival declaration
Application Fee: Free
When To Apply: Within 3 days before arrival, based on Korean Standard Time
Validity: Automatically expires 72 hours after submission if unused

K-ETA

Purpose: Obtain travel authorization for eligible visa-free entry
Who Needs It: Eligible visa-free travelers who are required to obtain K-ETA
Application Fee: Paid Application
When To Apply: Before traveling; apply early enough to receive approval
Validity: Generally valid for 3 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for the South Korea e-Arrival Card

Applying for the South Korea e-Arrival Card is relatively straightforward, but a few small mistakes can cause unnecessary stress before your trip. Before submitting your form, take note of these common mistakes to help make your arrival in South Korea smoother.

Applying Too Early
Entering Incorrect Passport Details
Providing the Wrong Arrival Date or Flight Number
Confusing the e-Arrival Card with K-ETA
Forgetting to Update Your Details After a Change of Plans

Frequently Asked Questions About the South Korea e-Arrival Card

Is the South Korea e-Arrival Card free?
Yes! The official South Korea e-Arrival Card is completely free of charge. Be careful of unofficial websites that charge fees for this free service.
When should I submit the Korea e-Arrival Card?
You can submit the e-Arrival Card within three days before your scheduled arrival in South Korea.
What is the difference between the e-Arrival Card and K-ETA?
The e-Arrival Card is an electronic arrival declaration, while K-ETA is a travel authorization for eligible visa-free travelers who need it.
Can I complete the Korea e-Arrival Card after arriving in South Korea?
Yes. If you have not completed the declaration before departure, you can generally submit it after arrival, provided you do so before proceeding through immigration inspection.
How long is the South Korea e-Arrival Card valid?
The e-Arrival Card is valid for 72 hours after submission. If you do not enter South Korea within that period, the declaration expires and you will need to submit a new one.
Do I need to print the Korea e-Arrival Card?
No, you generally do not need to print the e-Arrival Card or present a paper copy at immigration. After submitting the form successfully, keep your issuance number or confirmation details for reference

Final Thoughts: South Korea e-Arrival Card

Applying for the South Korea e-Arrival Card is a simple step that can help make your arrival in South Korea more convenient. By completing the online declaration within the permitted three-day window, you can prepare your arrival information in advance and avoid unnecessary last-minute stress. Before your trip, remember to check your passport details, flight information and accommodation address carefully. I hope this guide helps you prepare for your upcoming trip to South Korea! 🇰🇷 Have a wonderful trip to South Korea, and safe travels!

South Korea e-Arrival Card: How to Apply

What is the South Korea e-Arrival Card

Who Needs to Submit the e-Arrival Card?