---
title: Do I need a visa to enter South Korea?
description: U.S, citizens need a Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), which is a visa-exempt electronic form valid for 3 years, to enter South Korea beginning 1/1/27. Non-US citizens must check their country's requirements.
---
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# Do I need a visa to enter South Korea?
- Beginning 1/1/27, all U.S. citizens will need to apply for a [Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA)](https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/guide/viewetaapplication.do) to enter South Korea.
- The K-ETA is not a visa! Rather, it is an electronic travel authorization form for visa-exempt citizens, including citizens from the US. This will need to be completed by all pilgrims before boarding their flights to Korea. The K-ETA is valid for 3 years.
- It is likely that the Government of South Korea may waive the requirement for this K-ETA for U.S. citizens, as they have since 2023. We will not know whether the requirement is waived for 2027 until January 2027.
- Pilgrims from countries other than the United States should check South Korea’s requirements for their country.
- - First, go to the Korea Visa Portal ([https://www.visa.go.kr/main/openMain.do](https://www.visa.go.kr/main/openMain.do)) to check whether or not a visa is required for entry into Korea. At the bottom of the page, fill out the continent, country, purpose (for WYD, it would be “Short Term Visit”), and length of stay (typically “90 days or less”).
- If the pilgrim is from a visa-exempt country, no major visa application is required but a brief K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization; see here: [https://k-eta.go.kr/portal/newapply/index.do](https://k-eta.go.kr/portal/newapply/index.do)) application is required (double check the eligible countries at [https://k-eta.go.kr/portal/guide/viewetaalification.do](https://k-eta.go.kr/portal/guide/viewetaalification.do)). Pay the app fee (about USD $7-$8) at least 72 hours before travel.
- If the pilgrim is not from a visa-exempt country, the C-3 visa will be needed. On the Korea Visa Portal, download an invitation letter (registration certificate) from the registration system, obtain the diocesan bishop or delegate’s signature and official seal on the invitation letter (from the country of origin), submit the visa supporting documents to a Korean embassy or consulate, and upon submission, check for application status.
- The recommended timeline is to start the visa preparation no later than 3 months before departure (no later than May 1, 2027) and to send in all documentation no later than 2 months before departure (or June 1, 2027).
- Additional documents may be required or an interview will be needed, depending on the Korean embassy or consulate within that person’s home country.
- For those who cannot return to their home country or have a particular immigration status in the United States, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA ([https://down.mofa.go.kr/us-en/index.do](https://down.mofa.go.kr/us-en/index.do)) at [202-939-5600](tel:(202)%20939-5600) to see about the options available for obtaining a visa through the embassy located in Washington DC.
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