What you need to enter South Korea with a Hong Konger passport

Authorisation system

K-ETA (temporary exemption for 22 countries and regions until 31/12/2026)

It is run by the Ministry of Justice. The temporary K-ETA exemption has been extended until 31 December 2026 for 22 countries and regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States (Guam included). The exemption ends on that date unless it is extended again, so check it before any later trip. Those who are exempt can still apply for a K-ETA, paying the fee, and then do not have to fill in the arrival card. Only apply at k-eta.go.kr or through the official "K-ETA" app; some agencies overcharge.

Apply on the official site →

Processing time

Apply at least 72 hours before boarding.

Required documents

• A valid passport
• An approved K-ETA before you travel, if you are entering under the visa-waiver scheme and your nationality is not on the K-ETA temporary exemption list. The fee is KRW 10,000, non-refundable even if the application is denied, and a decision usually takes 72 hours or less
• An arrival card, unless you hold an approved K-ETA: those who do are exempt from filling one in on arrival

Health insurance

Not mandatory for this destination.

When travel insurance is mandatory → Travel insurance policies ↓

Transit rules

If you have a layover at Incheon you can join the airport's transit tour programme without a visa, provided you meet its requirements. The detail not to overlook is the K-ETA: coming from a visa-exempt country does not release you from applying for one. Only nationalities covered by the temporary K-ETA exemption are outside it, and the Ministry of Justice extends that exemption in fixed-term stretches.