Nationals of the exempt countries and regions, including the US, UK, Japan, Australia and Canada, do not need a K-ETA until 31 December 2026 (KST). Korea has announced no extension for 2027. Unless it extends the exemption again, trips from 1 January 2027 will need a K-ETA.
This note is for OTAs and airlines. It is not legal advice.
What the rule says
On 23 December 2025, the Ministry of Justice extended the temporary exemption from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 (KST). The K-ETA portal has published nothing newer as of 19 October 2026.
Korea has extended this exemption every year so far. We don't predict whether it will do so again.
Who is exempt
Check your passport mix against the "K-ETA Exemption" pop-up in the K-ETA application. The portal is the reference.
What OTAs and airlines should do
Flag 2027 travel now. For bookings with travel on or after 1 January 2027 from these markets, add a "K-ETA may be required" flag.
Switch it on if nothing changes. If no extension is announced by late December, activate the K-ETA requirement in your checks and denied-boarding rules.
Don't upsell. The fee is non-refundable. Offer K-ETA to exempt travellers only for the arrival-card benefit.
Watch the portal. Last year's notice was titled "Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption" on the K-ETA notice board.
Related: eVisa API for OTAs and airlines and The travel-readiness window for airlines and OTAs.
Coverage alerts send one email per rule change for the destinations you pick, from the partner console. Systems can take the same events as webhooks; the shape is in the developer docs. The live requirement for any passport is always in the requirements checker.
K-ETA portal notice, 23 Dec 2025 verified 16 Oct 2026 · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA, notice of 29 Dec 2025 verified 16 Oct 2026 · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Switzerland, country list (incl. Switzerland and Liechtenstein) verified 16 Oct 2026