- Home
- Visa requirements
- South Korea
- United States passport
Do American citizens need a visa for South Korea?
United States 
South Korea United States passport holders can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days.
No visa needed
- Entry requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Apply before travel
- No
- Last updated
- February 2026
Before you travel
Checked November 2026⚠️ The official K-ETA site warns that K-ETA is available only at www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app, and that look-alike agency or phishing sites charge high fees. Use only the official links below.
At the border
- Visa-free nationals must hold an approved K-ETA before boarding, unless their country is on the temporary exemption list.
- Travellers without K-ETA submit an arrival card; the official Korea e-Arrival Card (e-arrivalcard.go.kr) is free and can be filed from 3 days before arrival.
- K-ETA holders do not need to submit an arrival card.
- Permitted visa-free stay length depends on nationality (check the K-ETA eligibility list).
- Visa fees are non-refundable even if the application is refused.
Recent changes
- December 2025: the K-ETA temporary exemption for currently listed countries was extended for all of 2026 (1 January to 31 December 2026, KST); exempt travellers may still apply voluntarily to skip the arrival card.
Official source: Korea Immigration Service (Ministry of Justice) - Korea Visa Portal · Not yet confirmed officially: Exact list of K-ETA temporarily exempt countries (official site shows it only during application), e-Arrival Card launch date (not stated on the official page read), Passport validity rule (no fixed minimum stated on the pages read), consularVisa.processing time
What United States passport holders need to do
- Check your passport validity. Many countries ask for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
- Be ready to show a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and proof of funds at the border.
- Leave before the permitted stay ends. Working or studying usually needs a different visa.
United States is one of 62 passports in the “visa-free” group for South Korea. See the full South Korea visa requirements for every passport.
Other easy destinations in Asia for United States passport holders
South Korea is one of 115 destinations in the “visa-free” group for the United States passport, which ranks #10 worldwide with a mobility score of 158. Of 50 destinations in Asia, 37 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.
| Destination | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
 Armenia | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Brunei | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Georgia | Visa-free | 360 days |
 Hong Kong | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Israel | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Japan | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Kazakhstan | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Kyrgyzstan | Visa-free | 60 days |
 Macau | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Malaysia | Visa-free | – |
 Mongolia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Palestine | Visa-free | – |
Frequently asked questions
Do American citizens need a visa for South Korea?
United States passport holders can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days.
How long can United States passport holders stay in South Korea?
Up to 90 days without a visa.
Do South Korea citizens need a visa for the United States?
South Korea passport holders do not need a traditional visa for the United States, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before departure.
South Korea visa requirements for other passports
Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of South Korea before you book.