Incheon International Airport Terminal 2, October 2025. Photo: Choikwangmo25 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0; image resized; scene unchanged.
For an ordinary short holiday in South Korea with a Hong Kong SAR passport, the temporary K-ETA exemption runs until 31 December 2026, but you generally still need to complete the free e-Arrival Card. These are separate systems: K-ETA is an electronic travel authorisation; the e-Arrival Card declares your passport, itinerary and accommodation details.
This guide follows the official arrangements checked on 16 October 2026 for ordinary short-term visitors holding Hong Kong SAR passports. Visa-free tourist stays with that passport are limited to 90 days. Other passports, employment or study trips require the arrangements applicable to the travel document and purpose of entry.
Do I need K-ETA or an e-Arrival Card?
Your situationWhat to arrange before travelOrdinary Hong Kong SAR passport visitor using the current temporary K-ETA exemptionNo K-ETA application; complete an e-Arrival CardHolder of a valid K-ETA entering visa-free under that authorisationExempt from the e-Arrival CardHolder of K-ETA who is entering on a Korean visa on this tripComplete an e-Arrival Card
The official K-ETA notice confirms that the temporary exemption ends on 31 December 2026, Korean time. During the exemption, you may still apply voluntarily for K-ETA to receive approved benefits such as exemption from the arrival card. The application has a fee, which is non-refundable once paid.
For an ordinary short holiday, you can simply use the free e-Arrival Card; no separate payment is required to complete the arrival declaration.
When can I submit it?
Submission dates follow Korean time, one hour ahead of Hong Kong. The official FAQ's example includes the arrival date and the preceding two calendar days.
For arrival in Korea on 20 October 2026, you can submit on 18, 19 or 20 October, Korean time, completing it before immigration inspection.
There is also a validity limit after submission: the declaration expires after 72 hours. If a flight is delayed or rescheduled, check the expiry time in the confirmation email. Submit again if your trip moves beyond that expiry.
What should I prepare?
- Valid passport and email: passport name, number, birth date, nationality, sex and expiry date. Your email receives the declaration number.
- Itinerary: Korean arrival date, arrival flight or vessel, and expected departure date. The departing flight or vessel number is optional.
- Accommodation: address and contact telephone number in Korea. If staying at several hotels, give your main accommodation; use the first accommodation if there is no main one.
- Other details: purpose of entry and occupation.
Copy the complete accommodation address and telephone number from your hotel confirmation beforehand to avoid searching while filling in the form.
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Five steps to complete the e-Arrival Card on a phone
1. Open the official website and enter your email
Open the official Korea e-Arrival Card website and choose the individual declaration option. Read and accept the terms, then enter your email as instructed.
The official declaration is free. The Korean Ministry of Justice warns that e-Arrival Card websites requesting payment information are not the official service. The K-ETA fee is separate from this free declaration.
2. Upload your passport details page and check each field
The website can read details from a passport photo, or you can enter them manually. After uploading, check the spelling of your name, passport number, birth date and expiry date, and correct any reading errors.
3. Enter your flights, accommodation and purpose of entry
Use your bookings to enter your arrival and departure itinerary, tourism purpose, accommodation and occupation. Family members arriving on the same flight on the same day can be handled together, with up to nine people per submission on the mobile website. Enter and confirm each traveller's passport details individually.
4. Check the whole declaration before submitting
Pay particular attention to the arrival date, flight, passport details and accommodation address. Submit after confirming that they are correct and that the submission date is within the window above.
5. Keep the declaration number and expiry time
After submitting, you can view a PDF and will receive the declaration information by email. Keep the number and expiry time for checking or editing. The official guide says that you do not need to bring a printout, PDF or screenshot to immigration inspection.
What if I make a mistake or change my hotel or flight?
Before immigration inspection, use the official Check/Edit page. You can look up the declaration using its number, passport number and birth date, or verify through the representative declarant's email.
You can edit the purpose of entry, accommodation or departure date before inspection. The arrival date can only be corrected within three days of the initial submission date. Submit a new, valid declaration if rescheduling makes the original expire.
For travellers required to declare, each e-Arrival Card covers one entry only. For example, if you visit Korea, travel to Japan and then return to Korea on the same trip, complete another declaration for the second entry. Travellers with a valid K-ETA who qualify for the declaration exemption do not need to complete it.
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