Südkorea

South Korea Visa & Immigration System Overview

South Korea operates efficient visa system balancing tourism and business accessibility with controlled employment authorization, reflecting modern immigration management in developed East Asian economy. U.S. State Department confirms visa not required for stays 90 days or less for business or tourism for U.S. citizens; UK Foreign Office verifies British citizens may enter for up to 90 days for tourism or short-term business without visa, though employment during visa-free stays remains prohibited; German Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) confirms German citizens can enter visa-free for short stays under 90 days without employment provided they hold valid travel documents. Passport validity requirements straightforward: U.S. State Department and German Foreign Office specify passport must be valid at time of entry with no minimum validity period for short-term visits; UK Foreign Office advises passport should be valid beyond departure date for short-term stays; long-term visa applicants require six months validity from arrival date per UK Foreign Office. Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) temporarily waived through December 31, 2025: U.S. State Department confirms starting January 1, 2026, travelers will need K-ETA before traveling to South Korea; German Foreign Office verifies German citizens do not require K-ETA until December 31, 2025 ("Bis zum 31. Dezember 2025 benötigen deutsche Staatsangehörige keine K-ETA"); UK Foreign Office confirms British nationals have temporary exemption lasting through December 31, 2025. When K-ETA requirement reinstates January 1, 2026, UK Foreign Office emphasizes travelers must apply through official Korean government portal only, warning other sites offering K-ETA application services are generally scams, with processing taking up to 72 hours. Electronic arrival cards (e-Arrival) became mandatory from February 2025 per German Foreign Office, requiring submission within three calendar days before travel through online platform or completion of paper forms upon airport arrival through end of 2025. UK Foreign Office advises travelers possess onward or return tickets demonstrating departure intent when entering visa-free. Employment prohibited during visa-free stays: UK Foreign Office and German Foreign Office confirm employment during visa-free stays remains prohibited regardless of citizenship, with work authorization requiring separate visa regardless of stay duration. U.S. State Department emphasizes visa status cannot be changed while in-country, meaning travelers arriving visa-free cannot convert to employment authorization without departing South Korea and applying through proper diplomatic channels abroad. Long-term stays, employment, teaching positions, and purposes beyond tourism-business scope require advance visa applications through Korean diplomatic missions in travelers' home countries. UK Foreign Office highlights English teaching positions specifically require three-year university degrees, noting TEFL certification alone proves insufficient for visa approval, while warning some teachers experience breach of contract, passport confiscation, payment withholding, and inadequate insurance coverage. German Foreign Office confirms various travel documents accepted including standard passports (Reisepass), provisional passports (Vorläufiger Reisepass), and children's passports (Kinderreisepass), though identity cards (Personalausweis) and provisional identity cards (Vorläufiger Personalausweis) remain unacceptable for entry. German Foreign Office emphasizes travelers must present same passport used for entry during exit controls, or departure may be denied. UK Foreign Office notes since August 1, 2025, travelers with illness symptoms must submit health questionnaires via Q-Code or paper form. U.S. State Department warns certain prescription medications require pre-approval from South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety before entry, while firearms, narcotics, and poppy seed products face strict import restrictions. Currency declaration not required per U.S. State Department. U.S. State Department warns overstaying or lacking proper authorization may result in exit bans, detention, and fines. U.S. State Department advises dual citizens should verify military service obligations beforehand, as South Korea maintains mandatory military service requirements for male citizens. For visitors staying longer than visa-free period or requiring residence status, visa applications processed through Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Korean diplomatic missions abroad with documentation requirements varying by visa type and purpose.