Arrival Card South Korea — e-Arrival Card in English
Fill out your South Korea arrival card (e-Arrival Card) in English with our online form. Prepare your trip to Seoul, Busan or Jeju with peace of mind.
Welcome to South Korea
The South Korean e-Arrival Card is an electronic form allowing foreign travelers to declare their entry into South Korea before their flight. Available on the official Korean portal, it gradually replaces the paper forms distributed onboard. It can be completed up to 3 days before arrival. Important: holders of a valid K-ETA are exempt — their pre-travel authorization serves as the arrival declaration.
K-ETA or e-Arrival Card?
A valid K-ETA exempts you from the e-Arrival Card
Good news for K-ETA holders: your pre-travel authorization serves as the arrival declaration. You don't need to fill anything else. The e-Arrival Card is only for travelers entering Korea without an active K-ETA.
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is the pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt nationals. Obtained on k-eta.go.kr at least 72 hours before departure, it remains valid for multiple trips over 3 years. Korea's equivalent to the US ESTA. It serves as the arrival declaration: no additional form needed.
The e-Arrival Card is the arrival declaration to file before each individual entry into Korea — only if you do not have a K-ETA. It applies to travelers on visa, temporarily K-ETA-exempt nationals who have not requested one, and permanent residents. It includes flight data, accommodation address, and a health self-declaration.
Concrete case: you are French and obtained a K-ETA in 2025, valid until 2028. Your K-ETA is enough, you don't have anything else to fill before arrival. Conversely, if you travel without a K-ETA (visa, or eligible nationality without an active K-ETA), you must complete the e-Arrival Card within 3 days of arrival.
How do I know if I need to fill the e-Arrival Card?
First check your K-ETA status on k-eta.go.kr. If you have a valid one, you have nothing to fill. Otherwise — temporary exemption without an active K-ETA, traveling on a visa, or permanent resident returning to Korea — the e-Arrival Card is required within 3 days before arrival.
When to submit the Korean e-Arrival Card
The official Korean portal accepts submissions within a strict window.
Earliest
3 days before arrival
Optimal
24 to 48 hours before flight
Latest
Before flight check-in
Documents for the Korean e-Arrival Card
Prepare these items before accessing the official Korean portal.
- Valid passport
- No active K-ETA (otherwise you are exempt from the e-Arrival Card)
- Flight number and arriving airline
- Planned arrival date and time in Korea
- Full address of your first accommodation
- Health self-declaration (symptoms, recent travel)
- Email address for confirmation
Common mistakes with the Korean e-Arrival Card
The South Korean e-Arrival Card is filed on the official Korean portal. Here are the most reported pitfalls.
Thinking K-ETA and e-Arrival Card are both required
K-ETA serves as the arrival declaration. If you have a valid K-ETA, you do NOT need to fill the e-Arrival Card. It is only required for travelers without an active K-ETA (on visa, temporary exemption without requesting K-ETA, etc.).
Submitting outside the 3-day window
The window is limited to 3 days before arrival. Earlier submissions are rejected.
Vague accommodation address
Provide the exact address of your first stay in Seoul, Busan or elsewhere. City names alone are refused.
Incomplete health self-declaration
All questions about symptoms and recent travel must be answered: an empty field blocks submission.
Validity of the Korean e-Arrival Card
The e-Arrival Card is tied to your arrival flight.
Duration
Valid for the declared entry
Entries
One card per entry in Korea
Extension
Not applicable: new submission each trip
Exit
No separate exit card
The official portal
The official Korean portal: what Korea actually asks for
If you do not have a K-ETA, the e-Arrival Card on the official Korean portal is required. The form is simple but trips up unprepared travelers. Section-by-section details.
Section 1 — Identity and passport: name in Korean format (Family name then Given name), date of birth in YYYY-MM-DD, nationality from a dropdown. Verify your passport is valid at least 6 months after arrival.
Section 2 — Travel: flight number, airline, arrival date and time. If arriving by ship (cruise in Busan or Incheon), select "Sea" and enter the vessel name.
Section 3 — Stay and health: full address of your first accommodation in Korea (Korean streets can be complex — copy-paste from your Booking or Agoda reservation). Health questions: travel in the past 14 days, symptoms, contact with a suspected case.
Section 4 — Validation: a QR code is emailed within minutes. Save it offline on your phone — WiFi can be flaky upon landing at Incheon.
Required Information Table
| INFORMATION TO PROVIDE | PERSONAL DATA |
|---|---|
| PERSONAL DATA | Name, First Name, Date of Birth, Nationality, Passport Number, Passport Expiration Date |
| TRAVEL DETAILS | Arrival Date, Departure Date, Purpose of Travel, Country of Residence |
| FLIGHT INFORMATION | Airline Name, Flight Number, Port of Embarkation |
| ACCOMMODATION | Name and Address of Accommodation in South Korea, City, Province, Contact Phone |
| ITINERARY | Countries visited in the last 14 days, Next destination after South Korea |
Places to visit in South Korea
South Korea
Seoul, the dynamic capital, blends royal palaces like Gyeongbokgung, traditional Bukchon districts, and modern Gangnam skyscrapers. Don't miss the N Seoul Tower and the bustling Myeongdong market.
Busan, the country's second city, is famous for its beaches such as Haeundae, the picturesque Gamcheon Culture Village with its colorful houses, and the huge Jagalchi fish market.
Jeju Island, a UNESCO site, offers unique volcanic landscapes with Mount Hallasan, the Manjanggul lava tubes, and beautiful waterfalls like Cheonjiyeon.
Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, is an open-air museum with royal tombs, the Bulguksa Temple, and the Seokguram Grotto, all UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), at the border with North Korea, is a fascinating historical site. Visit the Dorasan infiltration tunnel and the Dora Observatory for a unique experience.
South Korea e-Arrival Card Information
What does the South Korea e-Arrival Card consist of?
The procedure can be completed up to 3 days before your arrival in South Korea. The online form requires personal data, passport details, flight information, and accommodation address. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation to present at immigration. Each traveler, including minors, must have their own form.
Which nationalities are concerned?
The e-Arrival Card applies to foreign travelers entering South Korea. Korean nationals and certain diplomatic passport holders may be exempt. The form is available in multiple languages on the official portal.
Which entry points are concerned?
The e-Arrival Card is used at the main international airports of South Korea: Incheon (ICN), Gimpo (GMP), Busan Gimhae (PUS), Jeju (CJU), and Daegu (TAE).
Document Timeline
History and evolution of the document.
2017
South Korea launches K-ETA, the electronic travel authorization for many nationalities.
2017
South Korea launches K-ETA, the electronic travel authorization for many nationalities.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic introduces the Q-Code, mandatory electronic health form.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic introduces the Q-Code, mandatory electronic health form.
2023
Q-Code evolves into a broader system including customs and immigration declarations.
2023
Q-Code evolves into a broader system including customs and immigration declarations.
2024
Launch of the e-Arrival Card portal for digital entry declaration.
2024
Launch of the e-Arrival Card portal for digital entry declaration.
2026
Progressive rollout and harmonization of entry formalities in South Korea.
2026
Progressive rollout and harmonization of entry formalities in South Korea.
Frequently Asked Questions — South Korea
What is the South Korea e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card is the electronic entry form for South Korea. It gradually replaces the paper arrival card distributed on the plane and allows you to declare your arrival in advance via the official Korean portal.
Is the e-Arrival Card mandatory?
The system is being rolled out. While the paper version is still accepted, it is recommended to complete the e-Arrival Card online to streamline immigration processing.
How to fill out the South Korea arrival card online?
You can fill out your e-Arrival Card through ArrivalCards. The form asks for your personal details, passport information, flight details, and accommodation address. The process takes just a few minutes.
When should I fill out the e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card can be submitted up to 3 days before your arrival in South Korea. We recommend completing it as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
Do I need the e-Arrival Card if I have a K-ETA?
No. Holders of a valid K-ETA are exempt from the e-Arrival Card: the pre-travel authorization serves as the arrival declaration. The e-Arrival Card is only required for travelers entering Korea without an active K-ETA.
Which South Korean airports use the e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card is used at the main international airports: Incheon (ICN), Gimpo (GMP), Busan (PUS), Jeju (CJU), and Daegu (TAE).
How much does the e-Arrival Card cost?
The e-Arrival Card is free on the official Korean portal. On ArrivalCards, the service fee is €29 incl. tax per arrival card issued, excluding any consular fees.
Is the form available in my language?
The official portal supports Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Russian. ArrivalCards offers a translated and simplified form in 9 languages.
What documents are needed?
To complete the e-Arrival Card, you will need a valid passport, your flight details, and your accommodation address in South Korea.
Is the e-Arrival Card required for children?
Yes, every traveler, including children and babies, must have their own e-Arrival Card. Parents or legal guardians must complete the form for each minor child.