It’s always nice to feel special. And right now, Australians have another reason to feel that way, as we’re part of a select group of countries that don’t need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit South Korea.
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Like many countries around the world, Korea has introduced an ETA for travellers from countries that have a visa-free arrangement with it. That includes Australia, whose citizens can normally visit Korea for tourism for up to 90 days. Right now, you don’t need a K-ETA to visit. But if you’re planning a trip for next year, you might need to get a wriggle on, because the rules may be about to change.
What does this mean for you and your Korea travel plans? Let’s take a look at what this travel authorisation is, when you might need it, and how you can get it.
Do Australians Need a K-ETA for South Korea in 2026?
No. People travelling on an Australian passport are exempt from the K-ETA requirement until 31 December 2026.
This temporary exemption has been in place since April 2023, and it’s been extended a couple of times since. It covers Australia and 21 other countries, including New Zealand, the US, Canada, Japan, the UK and several European countries. That means Australians can still visit South Korea without applying for a K-ETA until the end of this year.
The catch is what happens after that. Unless Korea extends the exemption again, Australians landing on or after 1 January 2027 will need an approved K-ETA before boarding. Past extensions have been announced pretty close to the deadline, so if you’re flying over the New Year period, keep an eye on the official K-ETA website.
What Is the Korea K-ETA?
Countries around the world have started introducing electronic travel authorisations, including Australia itself.
Basically, it’s an online travel authorisation you need to get before you visit the country. It’s not a visa; it doesn’t give you the right to work in Korea, or even guarantee you’ll get in. Instead, it allows you to hop on a plane or boat to Korea, where immigration officers then decide whether to let you in.
Because it’s not a visa, you don’t have to take a trip to the embassy or hand over pages of details about your personal life. For most people, the K-ETA is a formality. The goal is to let Korean authorities keep an eye on who is coming into the country before they arrive.
Right now, Australian passport holders are exempt. However, the system is up and running for travellers from other visa-free countries that aren’t covered by the temporary exemption. And once the exemption ends, a K-ETA will become part of your Korea travel plans.
What About the Arrival Card?
Korea also has an arrival card, which is mandatory for short-term visitors who don’t have a K-ETA. If you’re travelling on an Australian passport, that means you.
Korea launched its digital e-Arrival Card in February 2025, and you can submit it online up to three days before your arrival date. Paper arrival cards are still available at the airport, but doing it online beforehand means one less form to fill in with a borrowed pen after a long flight.
The online service is 100% free, so don’t get taken in by anyone who offers to help you obtain it for a fee. Filling it out isn’t difficult, either. You’ll need:
- A valid passport
- Your flight or vessel number
- Your exact arrival and departure dates
- The address of your accommodation and a local contact number while you’re in South Korea
- A working email address to get your confirmation
Filling out the form should only take a few minutes if you have all your information ready. If you’re already travelling, it helps to have reliable internet access, and that’s where a travel eSIM from ZenSim comes in. By connecting to local networks, you can get the data you need at a much lower price than your home network would charge for roaming.
Do Australians Need the Arrival Card?
Yes. Anyone without a K-ETA needs an arrival card, and right now, that means most Australian passport holders.
Once the exemption for Australians ends, you’ll probably need to get the K-ETA before getting on a plane or boat to Korea. On the plus side, once you have one, you won’t need the arrival card anymore.
If you apply for a K-ETA anyway, don’t worry. Even though Australians are exempt, you’re allowed to get a K-ETA if you want one. And if you do, you won’t need to fill in the arrival card as well.
It’s worth noting that there is a charge for the K-ETA. It costs 10,000 South Korean won (KRW), plus a small online payment fee, which is about A$11 right now. It’s not going to bankrupt you, but given that the arrival card is free, sticking with the arrival card is probably the better option while the exemption lasts. The exception is if you’re visiting several times over the next few years, since a K-ETA is valid for three years and would cover you after the exemption ends.
Applying for the Korea K-ETA
Since the exemption for Australians may end soon, it’s worth knowing how to get the K-ETA. Luckily, the process is pretty easy.
- Go to the official K-ETA application website or download the official K-ETA app to your phone.
- Enter your passport and personal details, and upload a photo of your face.
- Provide the requested travel information, including your accommodation.
- Pay the application fee with a credit card.
- Wait for your decision.
Applications are usually processed within 72 hours, although they may take longer if your details don’t match up. Korea recommends applying at least 72 hours before you board your flight, and there’s no express option, so don’t leave it until the last minute.
Note that the application fee is non-refundable. Whether your application is approved or not, you’ll still have to pay the charge. And as with any travel authorisation, watch out for unofficial websites that charge extra for doing the same job.
Once you have your K-ETA, you’ll be able to enter Korea for the 90-day visa-free period on your Australian passport. You don’t need to print anything, as your K-ETA is electronically linked to your passport and visible to Korean immigration officers when they scan it.
A K-ETA normally lasts for three years and is good for as many trips to Korea as you like in that time, within the 90-day limit per visit. However, if the passport it’s linked to expires, you’ll need a new K-ETA to go with your new passport.
For most people, getting a K-ETA is just a formality. And because it’s fairly cheap and lasts for years, it’s worth sorting early in your trip planning. Unlike the arrival card, you don’t need to supply your flight number to get the K-ETA, which means you can apply before booking your flight. That way, if you get turned down for any reason, you won’t have a flight ticket to cancel.
It’s also worth knowing that you can update some details on your K-ETA, like your accommodation and contact information, through the official website if your plans change. A new passport, though, means a new application.
Travelling to Korea
The rise of electronic travel authorisations is making travel a little more complicated. And the current Korea K-ETA exemption for Australians is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026. The exemption has been extended before, and may be again, but there are no guarantees. So it’s always best to check official government sources to see what you’ll need before you book your flight.
Right now, all you need is an arrival card, which you can submit online within three days before you land. But that could change soon.
One guaranteed way to make travel easier is sorting your phone data before you go. A South Korea travel eSIM from ZenSim connects you to local Korean networks, so you can browse, check emails, and stay updated on changing travel requirements while you’re on the move. Not sure which plan suits you? Our guide to the best South Korea eSIM for travel has you covered.
FAQs
Not for an ordinary tourist visit of up to 90 days. Longer stays and activities such as employment may require an appropriate visa.
Australians don't need to pay for a K-ETA while the exemption applies. However, voluntarily applying costs 10,000 KRW plus a small online payment fee.
Australian passport holders can generally stay for up to 90 days per permitted visa-free visit.
Yes. Australian passport holders are exempt until 31 December 2026. You will generally still need to submit an arrival card unless you already have a valid K-ETA.
Australian children are covered by the temporary exemption. Separately, South Korea generally exempts visa-free travellers aged 17 or younger and 65 or older from the K-ETA requirement.
Possibly. The current exemption ends on 31 December 2026, but South Korea could extend it again. If you're landing on or after 1 January 2027, check the official rules closer to departure and apply at least 72 hours before you fly if it's required.
Yes. Paper arrival cards are still available on arrival, but you can skip them by submitting the free e-Arrival Card online within three days before you land.
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Written by
Travel writer and serial border crosser.
I've visited more than 30 countries so far, which sounds impressive until you see how long my travel wish list still is. When I'm not chasing cheap flights, figuring out eSIMs, or getting lost in places I can't properly pronounce, I'm usually writing about travel, remote work, and how to make both a little easier.
If you've ever searched "Can I work remotely from there?" at 2 a.m., we're probably on the same wavelength.
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