Korea Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival Card): What You Need to Know Before Landing
If you’re traveling to South Korea, here’s some good news — you can now skip the old paper arrival card by using the Korea Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival Card) system! This online process streamlines your arrival, helps cut down immigration wait times, and is completely free.
👉 Website: www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr
👉 When to submit: Up to 3 days before arrival
What is the e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card is South Korea’s digital replacement for the paper arrival card. It’s designed for certain categories of travelers and will become the standard after December 2025 when paper cards are abolished.
Who Needs to Submit It?
Individuals Subject to Declaration
Korean visa holders
→ Individuals holding a valid visa until their scheduled entry date to Korea.K-ETA exempt individuals
→ Citizens of countries temporarily exempt from the K-ETA system,
→ Citizens from K-ETA eligible countries who are under 17 or over 65,
→ Holders of diplomatic or service (special) passports from K-ETA eligible countries (special passports apply in Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Panama, and Egypt).Active service members under the US-ROK Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
→ Active-duty U.S. military personnel covered under Article 8 of the SOFA, with valid U.S. military ID and orders.UN passport holders
→ Holders of the UN Laissez-Passer (UN staff and personnel from specialized UN agencies).APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders
→ Travelers holding a valid ABTC (including mobile versions) where:Name, date of birth, gender, and nationality exactly match,
The passport number is written on the ABTC,
The card shows the approval country code “KOR,”
The ABTC is still valid at the time of travel.
Domestic and returning seafarers
→ Holders of a valid Seafarer’s Book registered as foreign crew entering Korea,
→ Seafarers arriving as passengers on flights or ships joining a vessel in Korea,
→ Crew members disembarking after completing their contract and leaving Korea as passengers (including their spouses and children under 17).
Those Excluded from Declaration
Citizens of the Republic of Korea
→ Including those with dual nationality, who must enter using their Korean passport (no arrival card needed).Holders of a Korean Residence Card
→ Includes valid holders of Korean Permanent Resident Cards and Overseas Korean Resident Cards.K-ETA holders
→ Travelers who have received Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA).
Note: If you hold a K-ETA but enter with a visa, you must complete the e-Arrival Card.Group (electronic) visa holders
→ Group tourists from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia with electronic group visas issued via the Korea Visa Portal.
→ Group tourists from India and Cambodia with group visas issued through Korean diplomatic missions.Visa-free group tourists at Yangyang/Muan International Airports
→ Group tourists from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Mongolia entering through Yangyang International Airport (visa-free system, effective until May 31, 2025).
→ Group tourists from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia entering through Muan International Airport (visa-free system, effective until March 31, 2026).Foreign flight attendants
→ Crew members arriving on flights into Korea.
🤔 Not Sure If You Need to Submit the e-Arrival Card?
No worries! South Korea has an easy tool to help you figure it out.
👉 Visit the e-Arrival Card Navigator here:
https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr/portal/guide/navigator.do
🖥 How to Use the Navigator
The e-Arrival Card Navigator (shown in the image above) is an online tool that checks if you’re required to submit an e-Arrival Card.
Here’s what you need to do:
Go to the link 👉 https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr/portal/guide/navigator.do
On the blue screen, check the boxes for all that apply to you:
✅ VISA
✅ K-ETA
✅ Residence card
✅ None (if none apply)
Click the START button.
The system will guide you to the right information based on your travel status.
⚠ Note: While the navigator aims to provide the latest info, it may occasionally have exceptions or special cases. For full details, you can always double-check the Individuals Subject to Declaration Guide.
What You’ll Need
To complete the e-Arrival Card, you’ll need:
✅ A valid passport
✅ A correct email address
✅ Your arrival date, flight number, departure date, and place of stay
Once you submit, you’ll get a confirmation email with a downloadable PDF. You don’t need to present this at immigration (unless asked), but it’s a good idea to keep it handy.
💬 FAQ Highlights
Do K-ETA holders need to fill this out?
No, they’re exempt — just ensure your K-ETA details are up-to-date.
What’s the difference between K-ETA and e-Arrival Card?
K-ETA is for visa-free travelers and costs 10,000 KRW.
e-Arrival Card replaces the paper arrival card and is free.
Does this cover customs or quarantine?
No — customs and quarantine declarations are separate processes.
How do I check submission status?
You’ll receive an email confirmation and can save or print the submission as a PDF.
🌟 Why Submit Early?
While you can still fill it out at the airport, submitting online ahead of time saves you time and speeds up immigration, making your arrival smoother and less stressful.
Ready to get started? Submit your e-Arrival Card here:
👉 https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr
