Korea Travel Requirements: Entry Form Guide For Tourists

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Traveling to Korea can be an exciting adventure, but before embarking on your journey, it's essential to understand the entry requirements. With the increasing number of tourists visiting Korea each year, the Korean government has implemented a simple and efficient process to ensure a smooth arrival for all visitors. In this article, we will guide you through the Korea travel requirements, focusing on the entry form that tourists need to complete before entering the country.

Korea Travel Requirements: An Overview

Korea has a relatively straightforward entry process, but it's crucial to comply with the requirements to avoid any issues during your trip. The Korean government requires tourists to complete an entry form, which can be done online or through a mobile app. In this section, we will break down the requirements and provide a step-by-step guide on how to complete the entry form.

Eligibility and Required Documents

To enter Korea, tourists need to meet certain eligibility criteria and provide required documents. These include:

• A valid passport with at least six months' validity
• A return or onward ticket
• Proof of sufficient funds (approximately KRW 1,000,000 or USD 850)
• Travel insurance that covers COVID-19
• A completed entry form (K-ETA or E-Visa)

K-ETA: The Electronic Travel Authorization System

K-ETA stands for Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, which is an online system that allows tourists to apply for an electronic visa before entering Korea. The K-ETA system is designed to streamline the entry process and reduce wait times at airports.

Who Needs K-ETA?

Citizens of certain countries are eligible for K-ETA, including:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• China
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• India
• Italy
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Poland
• Russia
• Singapore
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam

E-Visa: The Electronic Visa System

E-Visa is an electronic visa system that allows tourists to apply for a visa online before entering Korea. The E-Visa system is designed for citizens of countries that are not eligible for K-ETA.

Who Needs E-Visa?

Citizens of countries that are not eligible for K-ETA need to apply for an E-Visa. These countries include:

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Bolivia
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Chile
• Colombia
• Comoros
• Congo
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Cuba
• Djibouti
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Kosovo
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Maldives
• Mali
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Micronesia
• Moldova
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Myanmar
• Namibia
• Nauru
• Nepal
• Nicaragua
• Niger
• Nigeria
• North Macedonia
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palau
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Rwanda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Swaziland
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Timor-Leste
• Togo
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

How to Apply for K-ETA or E-Visa

Applying for K-ETA or E-Visa is a straightforward process that can be completed online or through a mobile app.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Check if you are eligible for K-ETA or E-Visa by visiting the official government website.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Gather the required documents, including a valid passport, return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

Complete the online application form and upload the required documents.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the application fee, which varies depending on the type of visa and nationality.

Step 5: Receive the K-ETA or E-Visa Approval

Receive the K-ETA or E-Visa approval, which will be sent to your email address.

Biometric Data Collection

Biometric data collection is a mandatory step for tourists entering Korea. Biometric data includes fingerprints and facial recognition.

Who Needs to Provide Biometric Data?

All tourists entering Korea need to provide biometric data, except for:

• Children under the age of 14
• Diplomats and government officials
• Tourists who are exempt from biometric data collection due to medical reasons

COVID-19 Travel Requirements

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea has implemented additional travel requirements to ensure the safety of tourists and citizens.

COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate

Tourists need to provide a COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which must be issued by a recognized health organization.

COVID-19 Test Certificate

Tourists need to provide a COVID-19 test certificate, which must be issued within 72 hours of arrival in Korea.

Arrival and Departure Procedures

Upon arrival in Korea, tourists need to follow the arrival procedures, which include:

• Presenting the K-ETA or E-Visa approval
• Providing biometric data
• Undergoing COVID-19 screening
• Completing the arrival card

Upon departure, tourists need to follow the departure procedures, which include:

• Returning the departure card
• Undergoing customs inspection
• Departing through the designated exit

We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide to Korea travel requirements, including the entry form that tourists need to complete before entering the country. Remember to check the official government website for the latest information and requirements. Happy travels!