South Korea introduces an electronic arrival card for tourists

Starting 24 February 2025, all foreign tourists entering South Korea will need to complete an electronic e-Arrival Card before their trip. This digital declaration replaces the former paper form previously completed on arrival. The goal of the change is to streamline immigration control procedures and make travel more convenient.

South Korea's Ministry of Justice developed the new system to cut queues and reduce congestion in arrival halls. Previously, immigration staff had to manually scan paper forms, which lengthened processing times. With the e-Arrival Card, authorities now hope to simplify entry for foreign tourists and boost interest in visiting the country.

Until the end of 2025, paper forms can still be used as well. Travellers can choose which method to use to submit their details, allowing time to adjust to the new system before it becomes mandatory.

The e-Arrival Card form can be completed free of charge on the official e-Arrival Card website, using either a computer or a smartphone. Submissions must be made at least three days before arrival, and the electronic card remains valid for 72 hours from submission.

Required information

When completing the electronic form, travellers must provide: flight or vessel details, address of stay in the country, passport details, a contact phone number, and an email address. Once the process is complete, the traveller receives an email with a confirmation number and the e-Arrival Card's validity period.

Families and groups of up to nine people can submit a single joint form. Children under 14 are registered by their parents or official representatives.

There is no need to print or present the e-Arrival Card as a PDF on arrival. Immigration staff will automatically receive all the necessary information digitally, speeding up the entry process.

Who must submit an e-Arrival Card?

The requirement applies to all categories of travellers, regardless of length of stay. However, the following are exempt:

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• Aircraft crew members
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• South Korean citizens with local registration
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• Holders of a valid K-ETA
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Important information for Russian citizens

Russian citizens planning a trip to South Korea can apply for a K-ETA electronic visa. Holders of a valid K-ETA are exempt from completing the e-Arrival Card, but are required to update information about the purpose of their trip, place of stay, and other details in advance on the official K-ETA portal.

Previously, foreign visitors had no way to submit details about their visit in advance. However, by 2026 the paper format will be phased out entirely, and electronic cards will become the mandatory standard for all arrivals.