Korea e-Arrival Card 2026: Who Needs It, When to Submit, and How to Avoid Fake Sites

Updated: July 26, 2026

Quick answer: Eligible foreign visitors can submit Korea’s electronic arrival declaration through the official e-Arrival Card website within three days before arrival, based on Korea Standard Time. Travelers exempt from the arrival declaration do not need to submit it. Use only the official government address, verify passport details carefully, and keep the confirmation available offline.

Incheon International Airport. Photo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

What problem does the e-Arrival Card solve?

It replaces the paper arrival declaration for travelers who must submit arrival information. It is not a visa and it is not the same as K-ETA. Having a visa or K-ETA question does not automatically answer whether an arrival declaration is required, so check the current official exemption list.

Do you need to submit it?

The official guidance lists exemptions such as registered residents and certain travelers whose entry information is already covered by another process. Rules can change, so use the government eligibility guidance rather than a travel forum screenshot. If you are not exempt, submit the electronic card or follow the current arrival-declaration procedure available to you.

When to submit

You can submit it from three days before your arrival date. The window follows Korea Standard Time. For example, a late-night departure from another time zone can create confusion, so calculate from the date you will enter Korea—not the date you leave home.

Prepare these details first

• Passport biographical information
• Flight or vessel details
• Arrival and departure dates
• Address and contact information for your stay in Korea
• Purpose of visit and other requested travel information

Use the accommodation name and address shown by the hotel or host. Copying a precise address is safer than typing from memory.

Step-by-step submission

1. Open the official government e-Arrival Card website directly.
2. Select individual or group submission as appropriate.
3. Read and accept the required terms.
4. Enter passport details exactly as printed.
5. Add arrival, departure, accommodation, and contact information.
6. Review every field before submitting.
7. Save or screenshot the confirmation for offline access.

How to avoid fake or paid sites

• Start from an official Korean government or VISITKOREA page.
• Check the web address before entering passport data.
• Do not trust sponsored search results solely because they appear first.
• Be suspicious of unnecessary service fees or promises of guaranteed entry.
• Never send passport scans through an unverified messenger account.

The official electronic arrival declaration should not be confused with commercial form-filling services. A third party cannot guarantee admission to Korea.

Common mistakes and fixes

Wrong arrival date

Use the date the aircraft arrives in Korea, accounting for time-zone changes.

Hotel address missing

Find the property’s full Korean or English address in your booking confirmation. Contact the accommodation if the address is unclear.

Passport name entered differently

Match the passport machine-readable information exactly. Do not add a nickname.

Plans changed after submission

Follow the official site’s current edit or resubmission instructions. Do not guess whether an old submission remains valid after a major change.

Arrival-day checklist

• Passport and any required visa/K-ETA documents
• e-Arrival Card confirmation if required
• Accommodation address saved offline
• Return or onward travel details if applicable
• Working mobile data plan

If you still need connectivity, compare our Korea eSIM vs. SIM guide after it is published.

Frequently asked questions

Is the e-Arrival Card a visa?

No. It is an arrival declaration. Visa and K-ETA requirements are separate.

Can I submit it weeks early?

No. The official submission window opens three days before arrival, based on Korea Standard Time.

Do children need one?

Check the official exemption and group-submission guidance for each traveler. A parent can prepare the submission, but do not assume the child is automatically excluded.

Do I need to print it?

Follow current official instructions. Saving the confirmation offline is sensible in case airport Wi-Fi or mobile data is unavailable.

Official sources

• Republic of Korea official e-Arrival Card
• VISITKOREA: e-Arrival Card guidance
• Official English guide PDF
• Photo source and license

Immigration rules can change. Recheck the official site shortly before travel.