Can A Bearer Of A Green Card Visit Korea Without A Visa?

From April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is no longer required for US citizens visiting Korea for 90 days or more. Green card holders can travel to South Korea with the correct documents, staying for up to 30 days visa-free. However, they are not exempt from South Korea’s visa requirements, so they must apply for a Korean visa.

U.S. citizens intending to enter South Korea without a visa must apply for the ETA through the Republic of Korea’s ETA homepage website. South Korea allows citizens of certain countries to enter South Korea without a visa (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA)) or without a K-ETA at all. The application process requires submitting an application by a foreigner or the Korean Embassy.

US citizens can visit South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days or less if the purpose of the trip is for tourism, business meeting, or visiting relatives. South Korea has established visa exemption agreements with several countries, allowing for hassle-free visits for tourism, business, or visiting relatives.

Green card holders need a valid U.S. passport to enter Korea, while visas are required for all other purposes, including employment, teaching English, and stays longer than 90 days. Consular fees are $45 and our service fee is $45. If you have a green card and a paper visa in your passport, you can enter Korea visa-free for 30 days as long as you are traveling from the US to Korea.

Which countries don’t need K-ETA?

The 22 countries or regions that are eligible for a provisional exemption from the K-ETA requirement include 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 (including Guam). Those in possession of a valid K-ETA approval may utilize it until its expiration date.

How much is K-ETA?

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is a process for eligible nationals to enter the Republic of Korea visa-free. The process requires an application, which can take over 72 hours depending on various factors. Each approved K-ETA allows multiple visits within the validity period of 3 years in general. However, K-ETA approval is not a guarantee of entry into the Republic of Korea and the final decision will be made by the immigration official at the port of entry.

The validity period of K-ETA is irrelevant with the allowed period of visa-free stay per entry, and those entering the country via K-ETA cannot stay beyond the permitted period of visa-free stay per entry. The K-ETA Application Eligibility Guide provides more information on the allowed period of stay per entry.

K-ETA approval may be denied or cancelled if false or inaccurate information is submitted, and the applicant may be subject to penalties or entry restrictions according to relevant Korean laws. The K-ETA fee is 10, 000KRW (approximately USD $9~10, additional fee excluded), and the center is not responsible for any third party fees for the transaction.

If there are changes to an individual’s information, such as name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport information, infectious disease, or criminal record, they must apply for a new K-ETA. If there are changes to an individual’s purpose of entry, address in Korea, or contact information after K-ETA approval, they must update this information through the K-ETA website before entering Korea.

K-ETA approval allows for more convenient entry immigration, but it does not accept activities for profit or revenue. If an individual holds both K-ETA and a valid Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card) when entering South Korea, they are granted the status of stay and period of stay according to their residence card.

Can I apply for a Korean visa online?

Visa applications may be submitted via the Visa Portal or through Korean diplomatic missions abroad. It should be noted that the majority of embassies require applicants to complete an online registration process prior to submitting their visa application.

Who needs a visa to enter Korea?

To enter Seoul, visitors must have a valid passport and visa. Visa waiver or visa-free countries can enter the country for tourism purposes without a visa, but proper visas are required for employment or education. Non-visa waiver countries must apply for visas at the nearest Korean embassy or consulate. General passport holders can enter and stay in the Republic of Korea for up to 30 days for tourism or visitation. The visa-waiver agreement with Liberia has been temporarily suspended as of July 18, 2019.

Can a US green card holder travel to Korea without a visa?

The U. S. Green Card does not change nationality, and if you are not eligible for K-ETA or your travel plans are not suitable for the B2 (Tourists in Transit) program, you must apply for a visa. We do not offer personal travel consultations, so you can read the program thoroughly and contact the Korean Immigration Office for further inquiries. Unfortunately, we do not have their email address.

Can a US green card holder travel to Japan without a visa?

The Visa Waiver Program applies based on nationality, not U. S. residence status. The Embassy in Washington DC only accepts visa applications and inquiries from residents of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. For residents of other states, visit the List of U. S. Embassy/Consulates. To determine if a visa is needed for Japan, refer to General Rules and Processing Time. If not needed, skip to STEP 6.

Can I enter Korea with US green card?

The U. S. Green Card does not change nationality, and if you are not eligible for K-ETA or your travel plans are not suitable for the B2 (Tourists in Transit) program, you must apply for a visa. We do not offer personal travel consultations, so you can read the program thoroughly and contact the Korean Immigration Office for further inquiries. Unfortunately, we do not have their email address.

Can I enter Korea with a US visa?

US citizens are required to have a valid passport to enter South Korea, regardless of their visa status. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least one blank page for a stamp. US passports are not valid for travel to, in, or through North Korea unless specially validated by the US Department of State. US citizens cannot obtain a South Korean visa on arrival, but they can apply for a K-ETA before entering Korea for short-term stays. This requirement has been lifted through December 2024.

Do Americans need a visa for Korea?

US citizens cannot obtain a South Korean visa on arrival, as they do not need a tourist visa. They typically need to apply for a K-ETA for short-term stays, but this requirement has been lifted until December 2024. For long-term stays over 90 days, travelers must obtain a visa from a Korean Government diplomatic office. Around 110 visa-exempt nationalities, including the US, can enter South Korea without a visa for tourism and short-term business purposes. However, most of these visitors must obtain an approved Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), valid for two years and including a multiple-reentry permit for short-term stays.