If you are traveling to South Korea in 2026, the arrival form you need may be different from the one described in older travel guides.
South Korea introduced its electronic arrival declaration, known as the e-Arrival Card, in 2025. The system allows eligible foreign travelers to submit their arrival information online before entering Korea.
The important part is knowing whether you actually need one.
A K-ETA, a K-ETA exemption and an e-Arrival Card are not the same thing. Your situation determines which entry preparation applies to you.
Here is what travelers should know before flying to Korea in 2026.
What Is the Korea e-Arrival Card?
The Korea e-Arrival Card is an electronic version of the arrival declaration previously submitted to immigration on a paper arrival card.
Instead of completing the form at the airport, eligible travelers can submit their information online before arriving in South Korea.
The official service is free.
The Korean government warns travelers about fake websites that imitate the official service and charge unnecessary fees.
The official Korea e-Arrival Card website is:
Official Korea e-Arrival Card — e-arrivalcard.go.kr
If a website asks you to pay simply to submit an e-Arrival Card, stop and check that you are using the official Korean government website.
Who Needs a Korea e-Arrival Card?
In principle, foreign nationals who are required to submit an arrival declaration need to complete the e-Arrival Card.
However, there are exemptions.
According to the Korea Immigration Service, travelers who hold certain valid immigration documents or statuses — including a valid K-ETA or residence card — may be exempt from submitting an arrival card.
Other exemptions can apply depending on immigration status and circumstances.
Because entry status can be more complicated than nationality alone, the safest way to check is to use the official e-Arrival Card Navigator before your trip.
Check whether you need an e-Arrival Card — Official Navigator
K-ETA vs e-Arrival Card: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most confusing parts of planning a Korea trip.
A K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization associated with visa-free entry for eligible travelers.
An e-Arrival Card is an arrival declaration containing information about your trip and stay.
They serve different purposes.
| Document | Main purpose | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| K-ETA | Electronic travel authorization | Eligibility depends on nationality and current K-ETA rules |
| e-Arrival Card | Arrival declaration | Required for travelers who are subject to arrival declaration requirements |
| Visa | Permission for an applicable visa category | Requirements depend on nationality and purpose of travel |
| Residence card | Proof of eligible resident status | Valid residence-card holders may be exempt from the arrival declaration |
Do not treat these terms as interchangeable.
What Does the 2026 K-ETA Exemption Mean?
South Korea has extended its temporary K-ETA exemption for designated countries and regions through December 31, 2026.
The exemption includes several major English-speaking travel markets, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, as well as a number of other countries and regions.
But there is an important distinction:
Being temporarily exempt from applying for a K-ETA does not automatically mean you are exempt from the arrival declaration.
A traveler who actually holds a valid K-ETA can receive the arrival-card exemption associated with that approval.
A traveler entering under the temporary K-ETA exemption may still need to submit an e-Arrival Card if no other arrival-card exemption applies.
Because K-ETA rules can change, check your status on the official government websites shortly before departure rather than relying on an old screenshot or social media post.
When Can You Submit the Korea e-Arrival Card?
You can submit the e-Arrival Card starting three days before your arrival in Korea, based on Korea Standard Time.
This does not mean you should submit it weeks before your trip.
For example, if your arrival date is January 31, the submission window begins on January 29 under the government’s stated example.
If you do not enter Korea within the applicable validity period after submitting the declaration, you may need to complete a new one.
A practical approach is to submit it shortly before departure, once your flight and accommodation information are confirmed.
What Do You Need to Complete the Form?
Prepare your travel information before opening the form.
The official process may require information including:
- a valid passport;
- an email address;
- arrival information;
- expected departure information;
- your purpose of entry;
- your accommodation or place of stay in Korea;
- contact information; and
- occupation information.
The system also allows passport information to be entered as part of the declaration process.
Keeping your hotel or accommodation address accessible can make the form easier to complete.
If you have not finalized where you are staying, sort out your first accommodation before beginning the declaration.
Our guide to where to stay in Seoul can help first-time visitors compare areas before booking.
How Do You Submit the Korea e-Arrival Card?
The process is designed to be completed online.
Step 1: Go to the Official Website
Use the Korean government’s official e-Arrival Card website.
Open the official Korea e-Arrival Card website
Do not use a paid third-party website simply because it appears near the top of a search result.
Step 2: Complete the Verification Process
The e-Arrival Card system introduced an additional user authentication procedure in May 2026.
Follow the current verification instructions shown on the official website and make sure you have access to the email address used during submission.
Step 3: Enter Your Passport Information
Enter the information exactly as it appears in your passport.
The official system can use passport-image information during the application process, but travelers should still check all automatically entered details carefully before submitting.
Step 4: Enter Your Travel Information
Provide the requested arrival, departure and stay information.
Have your flight details and accommodation information ready.
Step 5: Check Everything Before Submitting
A small error in a passport number, travel date or accommodation detail is easier to fix before submission than at immigration.
Review the information carefully.
Step 6: Submit the Declaration
There is no application fee for the official e-Arrival Card.
The e-Arrival Card is a declaration rather than a separate travel authorization approval process.
Do You Need to Print the e-Arrival Card?
No printed copy is normally required for immigration inspection after you have successfully submitted the e-Arrival Card.
The official system provides an issuance number, and the submitted declaration can also be saved electronically.
You may still choose to keep a screenshot, PDF or issuance number accessible on your phone for your own reference.
That is especially useful when traveling internationally, where mobile data or airport Wi-Fi may not work exactly when you need it.
For connectivity after arrival, our Korea eSIM vs SIM card guide explains the main options for visitors.
Do Children Need an e-Arrival Card?
Children who are subject to the arrival declaration requirements still need to be included appropriately.
For a child under 14, a family member or another person must submit the declaration on the child’s behalf.
The system also supports declarations involving multiple travelers.
For ordinary individual or small-group submissions, multiple travelers can be included through the available submission process. Larger groups have a separate group declaration option.
Families should complete this before arriving at immigration rather than assuming children are automatically excluded because of their age.
Can Someone Else Submit Your e-Arrival Card?
Yes.
Official guidance allows another person to submit a declaration on a traveler’s behalf.
However, the information is treated as information submitted for that traveler, so it still needs to be accurate.
This can be useful for families or travelers who are uncomfortable completing an online form in English or Korean.
Always review passport and travel details carefully before the declaration is submitted.
Can You Edit the e-Arrival Card After Submitting It?
The official system provides a Check/Edit function.
You can retrieve a submitted declaration using the available verification method and make applicable changes before immigration inspection.
If your flight, accommodation or other relevant travel details change after submission, check whether your declaration should be updated rather than assuming the original information is still sufficient.
The official website should be your reference for the current editing procedure.
Is the e-Arrival Card Free?
Yes.
There is no official fee for submitting Korea’s e-Arrival Card.
This deserves special attention because Korean immigration authorities have warned about fraudulent websites impersonating the official e-Arrival Card service.
Some fake sites may attempt to charge travelers.
Before entering passport information, check that you are on the official Korean government website:
The official domain ends in go.kr.
Do You Still Need a Customs Declaration?
The e-Arrival Card is not the same thing as a customs declaration.
Immigration and customs are separate processes.
If you are carrying goods that must be declared, our guide to South Korea customs declarations explains the current duty-free allowance, what travelers need to report and how the customs process works.
Do not assume that completing the e-Arrival Card automatically completes every form associated with entering Korea.
This distinction matters particularly if you are carrying restricted, regulated or declarable goods.
Is Q-Code the Same as the e-Arrival Card?
No.
Q-Code is related to health and quarantine procedures, not the ordinary immigration arrival declaration.
According to Korea Tourism Organization guidance, Q-Code requirements apply in specific quarantine circumstances, including travelers arriving from designated quarantine inspection areas.
That means not every tourist automatically needs Q-Code simply because they need an e-Arrival Card.
Health and quarantine requirements can change, so check current official guidance shortly before departure if your itinerary includes an affected area.
What Happens After You Arrive in Korea?
Once you land, follow the airport signs toward immigration.
Your e-Arrival Card information is already submitted electronically, so you normally do not need to present a printed copy simply because you filed electronically.
Keep your passport accessible and follow the immigration officer’s instructions.
After immigration, collect your baggage and complete any applicable customs procedures.
If you are arriving at Incheon International Airport and continuing to Seoul, our Incheon Airport to Seoul guide compares the AREX train, airport buses and taxis.
A Simple Pre-Departure Checklist
A few days before flying to Korea, work through your entry preparations in order.
Check your passport.
Make sure it meets the requirements that apply to your trip.
Check your visa or visa-free status.
Entry eligibility depends on your nationality and travel purpose.
Check your K-ETA status.
Do not assume a rule you saw last year still applies.
Check whether you need an e-Arrival Card.
Use the official navigator if you are unsure.
Submit the e-Arrival Card within the permitted window.
Do not try to complete it weeks in advance.
Save useful confirmation information.
A screenshot or issuance number can be convenient even when a printout is not required.
Check customs and health requirements separately.
The e-Arrival Card does not replace every possible entry procedure.
If you are still preparing the rest of your luggage and documents, our South Korea packing guide covers seasonal clothing, electronics and practical travel essentials.
Beware of Outdated Korea Entry Advice
Entry procedures are one area where an old travel blog can cause unnecessary confusion.
Korea introduced the e-Arrival Card in February 2025, while paper arrival cards remained available during the transition period through the end of 2025.
That transition period is why older articles and videos may still show travelers completing paper arrival cards.
For a 2026 trip, check current Korean government guidance rather than assuming that an older airport-arrival video still reflects the present procedure.
The same principle applies to K-ETA.
Temporary exemptions have changed over time and are currently extended for designated countries and regions through December 31, 2026.
Before every international trip, verify the rules that apply to your passport, your immigration status and your travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Korea e-Arrival Card mandatory in 2026?
It is required for travelers who are subject to Korea’s arrival declaration requirement. Certain travelers, including valid K-ETA and eligible residence-card holders, may be exempt. Use the official e-Arrival Card Navigator to check your individual situation.
Is the Korea e-Arrival Card free?
Yes. The official Korean government e-Arrival Card service is free. Korean immigration authorities have warned travelers about fake websites that charge fees.
How early can I submit the Korea e-Arrival Card?
Submission opens three days before your arrival date in Korea based on Korea Standard Time. Do not submit it weeks in advance.
Do I need an e-Arrival Card if I am exempt from K-ETA?
Potentially, yes. A temporary K-ETA exemption is not the same as holding a valid K-ETA approval. If you do not hold a valid K-ETA or another arrival-card exemption, you may still need the e-Arrival Card.
Do I need to print my Korea e-Arrival Card?
A printed copy is not normally required for immigration inspection after successful electronic submission. You can keep the issuance number, PDF or screenshot for your own reference.
Do children need a Korea e-Arrival Card?
Children who are subject to the declaration requirement must be included appropriately. For children under 14, a family member or another person must submit the declaration on their behalf.
Sources & Further Reading
Official Korea e-Arrival Card — Korea Immigration Service
Korea Immigration Service — e-Arrival Card Guide
Korea Immigration Service — Check Whether You Need an e-Arrival Card
Korea Immigration Service — Beware of Fake e-Arrival Card Websites
Korea Tourism Organization — K-ETA Exemption Period Extended Until 2026
Korea Tourism Organization — Korea Implements e-Arrival Card for Inbound Passengers