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South Korea · Official Resources

Government portals

Banks

  • KB Kookmin Bank — Korea's largest retail bank — nationwide branch network, good foreign-national account support; multilingual counter services including Chinese available

Embassies in South Korea

Official forms

  • South Korea K-ETA — Electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors
    Checked against the official page on 2026-08-09
    How to file
    1. Check that your nationality is on the K-ETA list — it is for travellers who may enter the Republic of Korea without a visa
    2. Check the temporary exemption first: the Ministry of Justice extended it to 31 December 2026 for the countries and regions currently exempt, and the site shows a pop-up when you scan your passport page. Exempt travellers may still apply if they want the K-ETA benefits, and the fee is charged
    3. Apply only at www.k-eta.go.kr or in the K-ETA mobile app — agencies and phishing sites charge high fees for so-called agency or express service
    4. Apply before you board the flight or ship; applying after boarding, or once you are in Korea, can lead to refusal or entry restrictions
    5. Pay the fee: KRW 10,000, roughly USD 7–8, with the online payment fee charged separately. It is not refunded if the application is denied
    6. Allow up to 72 hours for assessment; applications are reviewed in the order received and there is no expedited service
    7. Approval lasts 3 years, or until your passport expires if that comes first, and covers multiple trips — but the visa-free stay allowed per entry is set by your nationality, not by the K-ETA
    8. Apply again if your passport is reissued or your criminal-record or infectious-disease information changes, even if the K-ETA has not expired
    9. Update your travel information on the site if the purpose of entry, address of stay, contact details, arrival or departure dates or accompanying persons change — failing to do so can lead to entry denial
    10. Approved travellers do not have to submit an arrival card at immigration
    11. K-ETA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry: the Korea Immigration Service officer at the port of entry makes the final decision
  • South Korea Alien Registration — Registration for long-stay foreigners in Korea
    Checked against the official page on 2026-08-09
    How to file
    1. Register as a foreigner if you intend to stay in Korea for more than 90 days after entry; this also covers former Korean nationals who took another nationality and foreigners born in Korea who hold a status of stay of more than 90 days
    2. Register within 90 days of entry at the immigration office with jurisdiction over where you live
    3. If you are granted a status of stay or permission to change status while in Korea, register immediately after you are notified of the new status
    4. Diplomatic (A-1), official business (A-2) and convention/agreement (A-3) holders and their families are exempt, as are people on duties the Minister of Justice deems exempt
    5. Canadian nationals staying less than 6 months on D-1, D-6, F-1, F-3 or G-1 are also exempt
    6. Check the required documents and book on HiKorea, or call the Immigration Contact Center on 1345
    7. Work only on a status that permits it, and only at a workplace the local immigration office designates — get permission before changing workplace
    8. Report changes to your registration details to the local immigration office within 15 days: name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport number, issue date or validity, and the school or employer changes that apply to your status
    9. Missing that 15-day deadline breaches Article 35 of the Immigration Act and attracts a penalty fine