What changed

South Korea's e-Arrival Card became mandatory

Since 1 January 2026, Korea requires the free online e-Arrival Card for arrivals without a K-ETA, replacing the paper card. The K-ETA exemption for US citizens runs through 31 December 2026, and K-ETA becomes required again from 1 January 2027.

Why it matters: File the free card online before you land this year, and if your trip is in 2027, plan for the K-ETA to be back.

South Korea money guide

This is the permanent record of one change. The current fact lives on the guide linked above, which is re-checked on a schedule. For how we check and correct, see our methodology.