New Launch of South Korean e-Arrival Card
The South Korea government has introduced a new e-Arrival Card starting February 24, 2025. It allows visitors to complete the form electronically instead of filling out paper documents.
Until December 2025, the initial stage of reform is in place, enabling passengers to choose between online and traditional forms. After that, the electronic card will fully replace paperwork.
The e-Arrival Card must be completed within 3 days before arrival in South Korea. Applications for travelers under 14 years old must be filled out by a family member or guardian.
Who Doesn’t Need an Electronic Arrival Card
While most foreign citizens visiting South Korea are required to have a valid e-Arrival Card, some categories are exempt:
- Holders of a valid K-ETA
- Registered residents of South Korea (including holders of permanent resident cards and overseas Korean resident cards)
- Airline crew members
How to Complete a South Korean e-Arrival Card
The e-Arrival Card form is completed entirely online, so travelers only need to follow a few steps.
First, it is necessary to provide information and attach a digital copy of the passport. Then, the fee must be covered via one of the available online payment methods..
Visitors receive South Korean e-Arrival Card approval via email.
The printout is not mandatory, but passengers may prepare a paper copy just in case of technical issues. The approved document will arrival in PDF.
What Information Needs to Be Provided
Besides the traveler’s personal and passport information, certain travel data should be included:
- Arrival date with flight number
- Planned departure date with flight number
- The purpose of stay in South Korea
- Place of residence in South Korea and contact information
It is important that the details are accurate and complete, as blanks and errors can cause issues.
