Do Andorra Citizens Need a Visa for South Korea?

South Korea maintains a sophisticated and increasingly digital border entry system. As of 2026, the country has introduced significant temporary exemptions to encourage international tourism.

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

The K-ETA is the standard digital entry requirement for visa-free travelers. It must be obtained online before boarding your flight or ship.

• 2026 Temporary Exemption: Citizens of 22 countries and regions are exempt from the K-ETA requirement until December 31, 2026. This includes the United States (including Guam), Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.
• Other Visa-Exempt Countries: Nationals from other visa-exempt countries not on the list of 22 above MUST still obtain a K-ETA before travel.
• Age-Based Exemptions: Regardless of nationality, travelers aged 17 and under or 65 and over are permanently exempt from the K-ETA.
• Validity: Once issued, a K-ETA is valid for 3 years for multiple entries, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• Fee: approx. ₩10,000 (approx. $7.50 USD).

Mandatory e-Arrival Card (Q-Code)

Starting January 1, 2026, South Korea has fully transitioned from paper arrival forms to a digital system.

• Requirement: ALL travelers who are not using a K-ETA (including those under the 2026 exemption, children, and seniors) MUST complete the e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival.
• Benefit of K-ETA: Even if you are exempt, you may still choose to apply for a K-ETA to be exempt from submitting the Arrival Card portion upon entry.

Passport Validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of stay in South Korea. Ensure your passport is in good physical condition; damaged passports may result in denied entry.

Visa-Free Duration

For most eligible countries, the visa-free stay is 90 days for tourism or short-term business. Some nationalities (like Canada) may be eligible for up to 180 days, while others are limited to 30 days. Always check the specific duration for your passport on the official Korea Visa Portal.

South Korea offers several visa categories for those who are not from visa-exempt countries or who wish to stay longer than 90 days.

C-3 (Short-Term Tourist)

This is a standard single-entry visa for tourism, business, or meetings for stays of up to 90 days.

• Fee: approx. $40–$90 USD (varies by nationality).
• Duration: Up to 90 days.
• Group Tourist Visa (C-3-2): South Korea has extended a visa fee waiver for group tourist visas for select countries (including China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and India) through June 2026 to encourage tourism.

D-2 and D-4 (Study)

For students enrolling in degree programs or language training.

• Fee: approx. $60 USD / €50.
• Duration: Typically 1 to 2 years, renewable.
• Requirement: Certificate of Admission from a Korean educational institution.

E-7 (Professional Employment)

For foreigners invited by a Korean company or organization to work in specialized fields.

• Fee: approx. $60–$100 USD.
• Duration: 1 to 3 years, renewable.
• Requirement: Work contract and a sponsorship from a Korean employer.

Digital Nomad Visa (Workation)

This visa allows remote workers to live in South Korea for up to 2 years while working for an employer outside of the country.

• Benefit: Allows a stay of 1 year, renewable for another 1 year.
• Requirement: Minimum annual income of approx. ₩85 million (approx. $65,000 USD).
• Family: Spouses and children can accompany the primary applicant.

F-2-7 (Points-Based Visa)

A long-term residency visa based on a points system that considers age, education, income, and Korean language proficiency.

• Benefit: Freedom to work for any employer without a specific sponsorship after the first year.

Applying for a South Korean visa is increasingly digital, with most short-term applications and K-ETA authorizations handled via official portals.

1. Check Eligibility: Determine if you qualify for visa-exempt entry or if you must apply for a visa (K-ETA, e-Visa, or Sticker Visa).
2. Apply for K-ETA: If you are from a visa-exempt country and not under the 2026 exemption, apply for your K-ETA at least 72 hours before departure.
3. Submit Visa Application: If you require a visa, submit your application through the Korea Visa Portal. For some long-term visas (D-2, E-7), a sponsor in Korea must first apply for your Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CCVI) at a local Immigration Office.
4. Prepare Supporting Documents: For standard visas, you will typically need your passport, two color photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm), proof of financial means (bank statements for the last 3-6 months), flight reservations, and proof of accommodation.
5. Pay Required Fees: K-ETA fees are paid by credit card on the portal. Visa fees for stickers are typically paid at the embassy or consulate (in USD or local currency).
6. Register for e-Arrival Card: Once you have your visa or K-ETA (or if you are exempt), you MUST register your details on the e-Arrival Card portal within 3 days before your arrival.
7. Receive Your Visa/Approval: K-ETA and e-Visas are issued digitally. Traditional visas are placed as stickers in your passport by the embassy or consulate.

Processing times for South Korean visas are relatively stable but require advance planning.

K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

• Standard Processing: Typically 24 to 72 hours from the date of submission.
• Recommended Window: At least 72 hours before departure.

Short-Term Visas (C-3)

• Standard Processing: 5 to 10 business days from the date of a complete submission.
• Recommended Window: At least 2 weeks before travel.

Long-term Authorization (D-2, D-4, E-7)

• D-2 / D-4 (Study): Typically 2 to 4 weeks.
• E-7 (Professional Employment): Typically 2 to 3 weeks.
• Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CCVI): Obtaining the initial CCVI from within Korea can take 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the visa category and the workload of the local Immigration Office.

Recommended Advance Planning

Applicants are strongly advised to start their process at least 1 month before their intended travel date for short stays, and 3 months in advance for long-term relocations to account for CCVI processing. As of 2026, increased digital verification may occasionally cause minor delays.

South Korea does not have a formal legal appeal system for visa rejections. Decisions made by the Ministry of Justice or the Korea Immigration Service are generally final.

Rejection Notification

If your application is denied, the embassy or consulate will inform you of the refusal. For security reasons, they rarely provide specific details in writing beyond stating the criteria that were not met.

In-Person Explanation

If you are currently in South Korea and a visa renewal or change of status is refused, you will typically be invited to the Immigration Office for an in-person explanation. This is your opportunity to understand if the refusal was due to a fixable administrative error.

Reapplication Rule

Following a refusal, you must generally wait 3 months before applying for the same visa category again. You can reapply sooner only if there has been a major change in your circumstances or if you are addressing a specific clerical error identified by the authorities.

Visa Appeal (Exceptional)

While there is no formal appeal process, in some cases of severe administrative error, you may be able to file an administrative complaint through the e-People portal, though this is rarely successful for standard visa denials.

Non-Korean residents must comply with strict administrative rules to maintain their legal status.

Alien Registration Card (ARC) / Residence Card

All long-term residents staying for more than 90 days are issued an Alien Registration Card (now officially referred to as a Residence Card).

• Application Deadline: You MUST apply for your Residence Card at the local Immigration Office within 90 days of arrival.
• Mandatory Possession: You must carry your original Residence Card (or passport for short-term visitors) at all times. Failure to produce it upon request by a police officer can lead to arrest.

The 14-Day Address Reporting Rule

You MUST report your residential address to your local immigration office or community service center (Dong-office) within 14 days of moving into a permanent residence. This applies to new arrivals and any subsequent moves within South Korea. Failure to do so can result in significant fines.

Prohibited Activities

You are only permitted to engage in activities allowed by your specific visa category. Working on a tourist visa or engaging in unauthorized employment is grounds for immediate deportation and a multi-year ban.

Overstay Consequences

Overstaying your visa, even by a single day, is a criminal offense. It typically results in:

• Immediate deportation.
• A minimum 1-year ban (up to 10 years or a lifetime ban for severe violations) from re-entering South Korea.
• Significant monetary fines, often ranging from ₩500,000 to ₩10,000,000.

South Korea maintains high standards for public health and expects visitors to be financially responsible for their medical needs.

Mandatory Medical Insurance

• Long-Term Residents: You MUST register for South Korea’s National Health Insurance (NHI). After 6 months of residency (or immediately for some visa types), you are automatically enrolled. This typically covers 70% to 80% of medical costs.
• Short-Term Visitors: While not strictly mandatory for entry, comprehensive travel medical insurance is highly recommended. Medical costs for non-residents in South Korea can be very high.

Prescription Medications

South Korea has very strict laws regarding stimulants and certain narcotics. Common medications like Adderall, Vyvanse, and anything containing Pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed) are strictly regulated. You must obtain a Medical Narcotic Import Certificate via the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety before bringing any restricted medicine into the country.

e-Arrival Card (Health Declaration)

As of 2026, the e-Arrival Card has fully replaced the former Q-Code system. You must submit your health status through this portal within 3 days before arrival. Failure to do so may result in quarantine or additional health checks at the airport.

Unpaid Medical Bill Blacklist

South Korea has enforced a system where travelers who leave the country with significant unpaid medical bills will be flagged and may be denied future entry until the debt is cleared.

Applicants for South Korean visas must prove they have the financial resources to sustain their stay without becoming a burden on the state.

Means of Subsistence

• Visitors (C-3): While there is no fixed daily amount, border officers may request proof of a return ticket and sufficient cash or credit card credit.
• D-2 / D-4 (Study): You must typically show at least $10,000 USD (approx. ₩13,500,000) in savings at the time of application. For some institutions, the requirement may be as high as $20,000 USD.
• Digital Nomad Visa: You must show a guaranteed annual income of at least $65,000 USD (approx. ₩85,000,000).

Permanent Residency (F-5)

The Immigration Service has a formalized income threshold for F-5 applications, typically requiring an annual GNI (Gross National Income) per capita of at least ₩40,000,000 to ₩80,000,000 (depending on the specific category) for the preceding 1–3 years.

Proof of Funds

Acceptable documents include:

• Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months.
• Certificate of tax payment from the Korean tax office (for residents).
• Employment contracts showing guaranteed salary.
• Proof of scholarship or university sponsorship.

South Korea has launched several high-priority programs to attract global talent and entrepreneurs.

Digital Nomad Visa (Workation)

Allows graduates of top-tier global universities and high-income remote workers to stay in South Korea for up to 2 years to look for work or start a business.

• Benefit: No job offer is required to enter South Korea.
• Family: Spouses and children may be permitted to accompany the primary applicant.

H-1 (Working Holiday Visa)

Available to nationals of participating countries (typically aged 18-30). This program allows you to stay for up to 1 year for tourism while engaging in limited employment.

• Benefit: Allows you to work and travel for an extended period.
• Requirement: Proof of at least ₩3,000,000 (approx. $2,200 USD) in savings.

K-Startup (Startup Visa)

Available to entrepreneurs with high-potential business ideas. This program allows you to stay while preparing your business setup through the K-Startup Grand Challenge.

• Benefit: Offers a path to long-term residency (F-2-7) if the business is successful.

F-2-7 (Points-Based Residency)

A long-term residency visa designed for professional workers who have accumulated enough points based on age, education, and language skills.

• Benefit: Allows for easier career changes and family sponsorship.

South Korea’s Customs and Tariff Bureau maintains strict control over imports. As of 2026, the digital declaration process via the e-Arrival Card is mandatory for most airports.

Duty-Free Allowances

Adults (19+ years old) are allowed the following for personal use:

• Alcohol: 2 bottles (approx. 1L each).
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 250g of smoking tobacco.
• Perfume: 60ml.
• Other Goods: Up to a total market value of $800 USD.

Currency Regulations

You must declare any cash (including checks and gold) equal to or exceeding $10,000 USD (approx. ₩13,500,000) upon entry or departure.

Digital Declaration (e-Arrival Card)

Starting in 2026, South Korea has replaced the paper customs form with a digital system integrated into the e-Arrival Card. You must declare your goods within 3 days before arrival. Failure to do so may result in additional inspection or fines.

Prohibited Items

• Meat Products: Bringing any meat products (including jerky, ham, or vacuum-sealed items) from most countries is strictly prohibited due to African Swine Fever (ASF) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) concerns. Fines can reach ₩5,000,000 to ₩10,000,000 (approx. $3,700–$7,500 USD).
• Illegal Substances: Possession of even small amounts of cannabis (including oils and edibles) results in long prison sentences, severe fines, and lifetime bans. South Korea maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward drugs.
• Counterfeit Goods: All counterfeit designer items are confiscated and may result in fines.

South Korea’s immigration and travel policies are subject to rapid modernization and temporary incentives.

K-ETA Exemption Extended

The temporary K-ETA fee and application exemption for citizens of 22 specific countries/regions (including the U.S., UK, Japan, and Canada) has been extended until December 31, 2026.

2026 Departure Levy Increase

As of early 2026, the South Korean government has proposed increasing the international departure tax (Departure Levy) from ₩7,000 (approx. $5.20 USD) to ₩20,000 (approx. $15.00 USD). This tax is typically included in the price of your airline or ferry ticket.

Digital Nomad Visa (Workation) Expansion

The Digital Nomad visa program, launched as a pilot in 2024, has been fully formalized in 2026 with more streamlined application procedures through the Korea Visa Portal.

2026 Group Visa Fee Waiver

A complete fee waiver for group tourist visas (C-3-2) for citizens of China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and India is currently in effect through June 2026.

The following official sources provide the most accurate and up-to-date information for South Korea visa and residency requirements.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea - Official Visa Portal
• Korea Visa Portal - Official Online Visa Application
• K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) Official Website
• Korea Immigration Service (Hi Korea)
• Visit Korea - Official Korea Tourism Organization

Information compiled from official government portals as of April 11, 2026.