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South Korea Visa for United Kingdom Citizens 2026

Visa Free

British citizens can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business, but must also obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) online before departure.

Guide last updated October 7, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for the duration of your stay
  • K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) approval, obtained online before travel, linked to your passport
  • Digital passport photo uploaded during the K-ETA application
  • Proof of onward or return travel ticket
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or address of host)
  • Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay
  • No biometric enrolment required before arrival, though fingerprints and a photo are taken at the airport immigration desk
  • Travel health insurance recommended but not mandatory

Visa types

  • Visa-free entry with K-ETA - covers tourism, business meetings, and family visits for up to 90 days, single or multiple entries depending on K-ETA validity
  • Short-term visa (C-3) - needed for purposes not covered by the visa-free arrangement, such as certain paid activities; applied for at the Korean Embassy in London
  • Working holiday, work, or study visas all require separate advance applications and are not covered by K-ETA

Entry conditions

  • Up to 90 days per stay under the visa-free arrangement, provided a valid K-ETA is held
  • K-ETA approval is generally valid for 2 years or until passport expiry, allowing multiple visits within that time
  • No work permitted under the visa-free/K-ETA entry route
  • Immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel and accommodation on arrival
  • Entry can be refused without a valid, approved K-ETA even though the visa itself is not required

Fees & processing time

  • K-ETA fee is KRW 10,000 (approximately USD 7-8), paid online by card
  • Standard K-ETA processing time is up to 72 hours, though many approvals come back within 24 hours
  • No fee for the visa-free stay itself beyond the K-ETA charge
  • No VFS/BLS service fee applies since K-ETA is applied for directly through the official K-ETA website or app

Tips for United Kingdom travelers

  • Apply for K-ETA at least 3-4 days before travel to allow for the full processing window, even though most approvals are faster
  • Only use the official K-ETA website (k-eta.go.kr) or app - third-party sites often charge inflated fees for the same service
  • Keep the K-ETA approval email or a screenshot accessible, as airline staff may check it before boarding
  • Double-check your passport number and personal details match exactly between your passport and the K-ETA application
  • Periods of temporary K-ETA exemption have been announced in the past for selected nationalities including the UK - check the current status on k-eta.go.kr before applying, as you may not need it at all

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.