Who can travel to Korea without a visa?

Who needs to apply for K-ETA?

Okay, so K-ETA? Right, it’s kinda like this electronic authorization thing for South Korea. Listen, if you’re, like, from a country that usually doesn’t need a visa to go there, um, but you are planning a trip, you should probably check this out.

Basically, it’s for tourism, short business trips, conferences, or even quick little study things. Anything less then 90 days is good. So, like, no work visas here!

You wanna know if you need one? Simple! Just hit up the K-ETA website, there’s a dropdown menu. Find your country, click it, and bam! It’ll tell you. I did that last winter before visiting my aunt, Kim.

• Who needs it? People from visa-waiver countries. I believe these are specific countries which signed an agreement with Korea.
• Why? Tourism, business, conferences, short-term study (under 90 days).
• Where to check? The official K-ETA website; find the dropdown list with the countries.
• Time consideration? If it is more than 90 day, forget about it. You might need other sorts of visa.

Who is qualified for K-ETA?

K-ETA: Eligibility hinges on nationality. Tourism, family visits, business—all qualify. Criminal records? Forget it. No visas needed.

Minors? Individual K-ETAs required. Long-term stays? Visa necessary. Check the official website. My passport’s expiring next year, gotta renew.

• Citizenship: Essential. Check the list.
• Purpose: Tourism, business, family. No work. No study.
• Record: Clean slate. Immigration history matters.
• Minors: Individual K-ETAs are mandatory.

Always verify eligibility at the official 2024 K-ETA website. Seriously. Don’t mess this up.

Who is exempt from the K-ETA requirement?

It’s quiet now. Who gets to skip the K-ETA thing?

Just heard…Certain countries, yeah.

• Twenty-two countries get a break.

Feels like a lucky draw.

• April 1st, 2023 was the start of it.
• Ends December 31st, 2024. Korea time.

Feels strange, knowing the dates. I remember April 1st… a weird day.

Wish I was on that list. It’s just a pass to somewhere else, isn’t it? I knew someone…she always wanted to go to Seoul.

• It’s temporary, the break.
• It’s a Korean Electronic Travel Authorization thing.

A piece of paper…or digital, whatever.

Does everyone need to apply for K-ETA?

K-ETA? Ugh, who actually needs that thing?

Like, not everyone. Only peeps from visa-waiver countries (66 of them) and those designated visa-free countries (46). I think that’s the right number… or close.

• Tourist stuff
• Seeing family (ugh, holidays…)
• Meetings, events
• Business (but NOT making money…confusing!)

So if you’re, like, from the US (I’m not, I’m from Spain), and just wanna visit Seoul for the kpop concerts, yeah, gotta get that K-ETA thing. But if you need a visa anyway, then skip it. Makes sense, right? Or does it? Argh! Why is travel so complicated?!

Which place in Korea without visa?

Ugh, Korea visa stuff is confusing. So, registered foreigners… with a re-entry permit, yeah? If you come back before the date on the permit, no visa needed. Makes sense, right?

Wait, but what if you overstay? Oh man, my friend Minji did that once. Huge mess.

• Registered foreigner: Must have ARC.
• Re-entry permit: Don’t lose it!
• Re-entry date: Is crucial.

Re-entry date is the key part. Hmm. Need to check mine! I got my ARC renewed in January. So I should be good till like 2027, right? Oh god, I hope so. Don’t want to be stuck anywhere.

No visa is needed with valid ARC and re-entry. Phew!

Did I mention my ARC has my address on it? My old address. Gotta update that thing… procrastination station over here.

Update ARC Address – Add it to the to-do list!

Is eTA required for US citizens?

OMG, that trip to Canada in 2024? Total chaos. I almost didn’t make it.

I was flying to Vancouver for my cousin Sarah’s wedding, scheduled for like, last August? I assumed, stupid me, since I’m a US citizen, crossing the border would be a breeze, as always.

Ha!

Got to the airport, all excited, ready for poutine and maple syrup, and the check-in lady hits me with: “eTA needed.” WHAT is an eTA? Seriously?!

Panic. Pure, unadulterated panic. Sarah would kill me if I missed her big day.

Turns out, even US citizens need an eTA to fly into Canada. Apparently, it’s been a thing for years, but I somehow missed the memo.

Thank god for airport Wi-Fi and credit cards. I frantically applied online, praying it would go through quickly. It cost me like $7 CAD.

The whole process took, felt like forever! Maybe it was only like 20 minutes? Time warped, I swear.

I was sweating bullets. Seriously regretting my life choices at that point, why didn’t I check?!?!

Learned my lesson. NOW I know.

Key Takeaways from My Near-Disaster:

• Flying to Canada? US citizen? Get an eTA.
• Apply online, before you even think about heading to the airport.
• It’s not free; have your credit card ready.
• Don’t be me: Do your research ahead of time.
• It’s good for multiple entries for five years, so at least there’s that.
• Driving or going by sea is usually different. No eTA.
• Check the official Canadian government website. I mean seriously, it’s your best bet.
• Don’t assume anything. ever.