South Korea To Introduce e-Arrival Card For International Travellers Starting February 24

If you are planning a trip to South Korea, travelling there will soon be easier. Starting February 24, 2025, the country will introduce e-Arrival cards, allowing visitors to submit their entry information online in advance. This new system will replace the current paper arrival form, which will no longer be available after December 2025. With this, travellers can now complete their declaration online before departure instead. This change aims to reduce processing times at immigration, making entry into South Korea faster and more convenient.

How It Works

Visitors can complete and submit the e-Arrival card up to three days before entering South Korea, according to Korean Standard Time. However, if you do not enter Korea within 72 hours of submitting the e-Arrival card, the card will no longer be valid.

You can submit the form for the e-Arrival card through the website, accessible from both PC and mobile devices. While you may download a PDF of your submitted form, it is not required for entry.

For families travelling with children under 14, a family member or another trusted adult must complete the declaration form on their behalf. The platform allows you to submit forms for multiple individuals simultaneously.

You can visit the official website - www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr/ - for more detailed information about the innovative e-Arrival card system.

The e-Arrival Card is required for all foreign visitors, except for registered residents of South Korea, holders of a valid Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA), and airline crew members.

Know The Process

To submit your information, visit the official e-Arrival card portal. You will need to upload a copy of your passport and provide your travel details, including your arrival and departure dates, as well as the purpose of your visit. The submission process is free and does not require prior approval.

Once you have submitted your information, you won’t need to carry a printed or PDF version of the e-Arrival Card, though you may choose to should you wish. A single declaration can accommodate up to nine accompanying travellers, making it an ideal option for families or groups. Should you need to update or modify any details after your submission, you can do so directly on the portal before your arrival.

Submission must be received at least three days before arrival, and the card expires 72 hours after issuance. You are required to submit your passport details, flight or ship information, accommodation address, contact details, and an active email address.