South Korea e-Arrival Card: Complete Guide to Korea's Digital Entry Declaration

XAVI
2 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

SEOUL, August 4, 2026 — South Korea has fully transitioned to a digital entry declaration system, replacing paper arrival cards with the e-Arrival Card for all incoming international travelers.

Effective January 1, 2026, the e-Arrival Card system — first introduced in February 2025 as an optional alternative — became mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Korea, marking a significant step in the country's digital transformation of immigration procedures.

South Korea e-Arrival Card 2026 guide – infographic showing mandatory electronic entry declaration from January 1 2026, free online application, 3-day submission window, 72-hour validity, and K-ETA exemption extended to December 31 2026. — South Korea's e-Arrival Card is mandatory for all foreign nationals from January 1, 2026

What Is the e-Arrival Card?

The e-Arrival Card is an online entry declaration form that replaces the traditional paper arrival card previously handed out on airplanes or at immigration counters. Travelers complete and submit their entry declaration electronically before arriving in South Korea, eliminating the need to fill out paperwork upon landing.

Aspect	Details
Official Name	Electronic Arrival Card
Launch Date	February 24, 2025 (optional)
Mandatory From	January 1, 2026
Cost	Free of charge
Submission Window	Up to 3 days before arrival
Validity	72 hours from submission
Official Website	www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr

Who Must Submit an e-Arrival Card?

Required to Submit

The e-Arrival Card is required for all foreign nationals who would have previously been required to fill out a paper arrival card. This includes:

Short-term visa holders (90 days or less)
Long-term visa holders who have not yet completed foreigner registration
Visa-exempt travelers (including those with K-ETA exemptions)
Tourists, business travelers, and other short-term visitors

Exemptions

The following individuals are exempt from submitting an e-Arrival Card:

Exempt Category	Details
Registered Foreign Residents	Permanent residents and those with reported domestic residence
Valid K-ETA Holders	Travelers with a valid Korea Electronic Travel Authorization
Group Tourists (C-3-2)	Group tourist e-visa holders from China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Cambodia
Transit Passengers	Visa-free transit passengers (B-2, 15D) including Jeju transfer groups
Airline Crew Members	Crew members on duty

Important: If you have a valid K-ETA, you do not need to submit an e-Arrival Card.

How to Apply for the e-Arrival Card

Step-by-Step Process

Step	Action
1. Access the Official Website	Visit www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr via PC or mobile
2. Agree to Terms	Accept the terms and conditions
3. Enter Information	Provide passport details, travel information, and accommodation address
4. Submit Declaration	Complete and submit the form electronically
5. Receive Confirmation	A confirmation email will be sent to your provided email address

Information Required

Information Type	Details Needed
Passport Information	Upload passport data page (system auto-fills details)
Travel Details	Flight number, arrival/departure dates, purpose of entry
Accommodation	Address and contact details of stay in Korea
Personal Information	Name, date of birth, nationality, occupation
Email Address	For confirmation and notification

Timeline

Submission Window: Up to 3 days (72 hours) before arrival in Korea
Validity: The declaration remains valid for 72 hours after submission
If Not Used: The declaration will automatically expire if you do not arrive in Korea within 72 hours

e-Arrival Card vs. K-ETA: What's the Difference?

Many travelers confuse the e-Arrival Card with K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization). They are distinct systems with unique purposes:

Feature	e-Arrival Card	K-ETA
Purpose	Entry declaration (customs/immigration form)	Pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors
Who Needs It	All foreign nationals entering Korea (with exemptions)	Visa-exempt nationals (22+ countries)
Cost	Free	Normally ~10,000 (currently waived)
Application Window	Up to 3 days before arrival	Before travel (recommended 3 days prior)
Validity	72 hours from submission	Up to 3 years (for K-ETA)
Currently	Mandatory from 2026	Temporarily exempt until December 31, 2026

Important: K-ETA Exemption Extended to December 31, 2026

The Korean government has extended the temporary K-ETA exemption for citizens of 22 countries — including Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau — until December 31, 2026.

What This Means: Travelers from exempted countries do not need to apply for K-ETA but must still complete the e-Arrival Card before travel.

SeS Automated Immigration & Smart Pass

Frequent travelers to Korea may also consider enrolling in SeS (Smart Entry Service) for automated immigration clearance:

Service	Description
SeS (Smart Entry Service)	Automated immigration clearance system for frequent travelers
Smart Pass	Face recognition-based departure system
Validity	Up to 5 years
e-Arrival Card Required?	No — SeS holders are exempt from e-Arrival Card submission

Quick Reference Summary

Aspect	Details
What	Electronic entry declaration (replaces paper arrival card)
When Mandatory	January 1, 2026
Application Window	Up to 3 days before arrival
Validity	72 hours from submission
Cost	Free
Website	www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr
Who Must Apply	All foreign nationals (with exemptions)
Exemptions	K-ETA holders, registered residents, crew members, certain group tourists
K-ETA Exemption	Extended to December 31, 2026 (selected countries)