Korea e-Arrival Card Guide — How to Complete It Before Your Flight
Korea's online entry declaration is free, takes a few minutes, and saves you from juggling a paper form at arrival. Here's what to submit, when to submit it, and who actually needs it.
72 Hr
Submission Window
Free
Government Portal
4
Simple Steps
1
Entry Per Submission
If you're flying to Korea for work, school, or any long-term stay, you can now submit your entry declaration online — before you land — using Korea's e-Arrival Card.
The most important detail is timing: you can submit it within 72 hours of arrival. It's free, takes only a few minutes, and works on both desktop and mobile.
Source: Republic of Korea Ministry of Justice · Korea Immigration Service — e-Arrival Card portal.Do You Need to Complete the e-Arrival Card?
You need to complete it if
- ✓You are entering Korea for the first time on a long-term visa (E-2, E-7, D-2, etc.).
- ✓You are a short-term visitor from a K-ETA exempt country.
- ✓You do not yet have a Residence Card.
You don't need to complete it if
- ×You already hold a valid Residence Card.
- ×You have an approved K-ETA.
- ×You are a diplomat or airline crew member.
Korvia Tip: most first-time teachers and professionals entering Korea will need to complete the e-Arrival Card.
Know These Before You Start
72-Hour Submission Window
You can submit the form only within 72 hours before arrival. If you submit earlier, it will expire and you will need to submit again.
One Entry Only
Each submission is valid for one arrival. If you leave Korea and re-enter later, you must submit a new e-Arrival Card.
You Can Re-Submit
If you spot a mistake after submitting, just submit again. Immigration typically checks the most recent submission tied to your passport.
Not Submitting Is Not a Deal-Breaker
You will not be denied entry simply because you didn't submit it in advance. If you arrive without it, airlines often hand out the paper arrival card on the plane. Completing it online just helps you move through arrival procedures more smoothly.
Step-by-Step: Complete the e-Arrival Card
The form takes roughly 3–5 minutes if you have your information ready. Follow these four steps in order.
Prepare Your Information
Gather the details you'll need before opening the form. Having these in front of you makes the online submission take only a few minutes.
- ✓Passport (number, full name, date of birth, nationality)
- ✓Flight number and arrival date
- ✓Address in Korea — hotel, dormitory, or housing
- ✓Local contact number — school, employer, recruiter, or a reachable Korean number
Open the Official Site
Only use the Korean government domains below. The form is free, works on both desktop and mobile, and supports multiple languages (typically English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese).
- ✓e-Arrival Card portal — https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr
- ✓K-ETA portal (linked for applicable travelers) — https://www.k-eta.go.kr
Fill Out the Form
Enter your personal and travel details — passport, flight, address, and contact number. If the mobile passport-scan step is unreliable on your device, manual entry is usually faster and more stable.
Submit and Keep a Record
After submission, save the confirmation screen (a screenshot is fine). You usually will not be asked to show it on arrival — officers can retrieve your submission when they scan your passport — but keeping a copy avoids any last-minute stress.
What You'll Need to Submit
Gather these six items before opening the portal. You don't upload documents — you just enter the details into the form.
Passport (valid & scanned-ready)
Must remain valid for your entire stay. Have the photo page ready if the site asks you to upload.
Confirmed flight number & arrival date
Use the final flight that lands in Korea, not any earlier connection.
Address in Korea
Hotel, dormitory, or housing address. For EPIK / GEPIK / SMOE / GOE, your placement or orientation address is acceptable.
Local contact number
A Korean number from your school, employer, recruiter, or host. International numbers may not be accepted.
Language preference
English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese are typically available — select the one you're most comfortable with.
Device ready
Desktop or mobile both work. Stable Wi-Fi is recommended so the session does not time out mid-submission.
e-Arrival Card vs. K-ETA vs. Q-Code
These three names often get mixed up. The e-Arrival Card is an immigration entry declaration replacing the paper card. K-ETA is a separate travel authorization for short-term visa-free visitors from specific countries. Q-Code was the older health declaration used during the COVID era — it is no longer part of routine entry.
Common Questions
Q.Is the e-Arrival Card the same as Q-Code?
No. Q-Code was used for health declarations during COVID-era entry. The e-Arrival Card is an immigration entry declaration — a different form run by the Korean Immigration Service, replacing the paper arrival card that used to be handed out on flights.
Q.Can I use the e-Arrival Card if I already have a Residence Card?
No. Residence Card (Residence Card (RC, formerly ARC)) holders are generally exempt from the e-Arrival Card. You enter Korea using your valid Residence Card and passport without any additional online form.
Q.What if I submitted it too early — more than 72 hours before my flight?
Your submission will expire. Simply submit again within 72 hours of your arrival time. Immigration typically checks the most recent valid submission tied to your passport, so an expired one won't cause a problem as long as you re-submit in the window.
Q.Do I still need a K-ETA if I complete the e-Arrival Card?
They are two different forms. K-ETA is a travel authorization required for short-term visa-free visitors from certain countries. The e-Arrival Card is an entry declaration used by most first-time long-term entrants and K-ETA-exempt visitors. Some travelers need only one, some need both — check your specific category.
Q.Do I need to show the confirmation at immigration?
Usually not. Korean immigration officers can retrieve your submission when they scan your passport. Still, a screenshot of your confirmation is useful as a backup in case of system issues.
Q.Can I submit one e-Arrival Card for my whole family?
No. Each traveler must submit their own e-Arrival Card tied to their own passport, including children.
Q.Is there a fee?
No. The e-Arrival Card is completely free when submitted through the official government portal at e-arrivalcard.go.kr. Be cautious of third-party sites that charge fees.
Landing in Korea Soon?
If you're coming to Korea with Korvia, we walk you through the e-Arrival Card, your visa activation, and RC registration as part of your pre-departure support.