Republic of Korea
Thriving hi-tech, pharmaceutical and automotive industry sectors allowed building the base for fierce and solid synergies between the Republic of Korea and European business firms and authorities.
ETIAS for Republic of Korea Citizens in brief
Republic of Korea Nationals confirmed to be eligible for ETIAS from late 2026
ETIAS petitioners must have a valid passport issued by the Republic of Korea
ETIAS application enabled electronically
Application outcome provided via e-mail exclusively
ETIAS to cover only for business, leisure, transit and medical care trips to and across 34 Nations in Europe
Combined duration of stay in the ETIAS Area must never pass 90 days within 6 months
ROK and EU common interest
Thriving hi-tech, pharmaceutical and automotive industry sectors allowed building the base for fierce and solid synergies between the Republic of Korea and European business firms.
These connections, sided by an also long-lived diplomatic partnership with EU’s institution, are soon planned to be enhanced since South Korea citizen has been confirmed will maintain their Visa Waiver rights to the European Union for the upcoming years.ETIAS for Korean visitors
As a matter of fact, starting with last trimester of 2026, Republic of Korea citizens will be eligible to obtain the new mandatory ETIAS Visa Waiver in order to travel to the European Union and Schengen Area for short term trips whose purpose is tourism, business, transit or medical care.
Work and long-term study are not allowed on ETIAS; although it must be highlighted that the Visa Waiver can be used for short term study programs if the stay in the ETIAS countries area will not pass the threshold of 90 days within 6 months. On this matter still it is always important for each student visitor to check, before applying for an ETIAS, if the receiving school or institute in Europe accepts to enroll scholars with a Visa Waiver and not with a Schengen Study Visa.
The same concept applies to friends and family visit that are allowed under the touristic purpose if the duration of stay limitation is complied with. For additional details about ETIAS eligibility criteria and conditions of use click here.
Such Visa Waiver will be necessary for journeys whose duration and purpose fit in terms listed above and a single Waiver will cover for entries across all the 34 ETIAS Member Nations.More ETIAS eligibility criteria
ETIAS eligibility is not linked to the mean of transportation used or to the place of origin of the travel but is on the other hand strictly connected to the applicants Nationality of Passport. Consequently, holders of South Korea issued temporary or permanent residence permit will only be authorized to apply for ETIAS if they have a passport issued by one of the 60 ETIAS eligible countries. ETIAS eligibility is not linked to the mean of transportation used or to the place of origin of the travel but is on the other hand strictly connected to the applicants Nationality of Passport. Consequently, holders of South Korea issued temporary or permanent residence permit will only be authorized to apply for ETIAS if they have a passport issued by one of the 60 ETIAS eligible countries.
No ETIAS will be required to those South Korean citizens who already hold a valid Schengen Visa or Residence Permit issued by one of the current and de facto Member States of the Schengen Area (therefore excluding for the moment Visas and Permits of Stay issued by Cyprus that is part of ETIAS and EU but not yet in Schengen Area).
ETIAS for South Koreans is required only for journeys to the 34 EU Countries that are linked to the Schengen Area. European Nations that do not belong to such are like for instance UK, Ireland, Turkey and Russia apply their own immigration rules that might imply the need for a Consular Visa.ETIAS application formalities
The ETIAS application procedure for Republic of Korea passport holders is uncomplicated to handle and is expected to require each passenger no more than 10 minutes to input their data.
Such data include:- personal information like full name and surname, birthplace, birth country, birth date
- contact details
- scheduled travel to EU related information
- eligibility and background questions
It is important to highlight that each single traveler will need to have an ETIAS of his/her own; such provision also include minors and elders that are therefore required to have an individual valid passport.
Underage candidates must put forward their ETIAS request through the support of a parent or legal guardian.ETIAS request, outcome and use
The Visa Waiver, once approved, will be sent to the e-mail of the petitoner in most cases within only 72 hours.
In the rare case of a declined application also the outcome shall be notified via e-mail to each candidate with an explanation of the reasons behind such rejection.
Starting from the issuance date ETIAS Visa Waiver will than have a validity of 3 years or until the applicant’s passport expiry date (if that is less than 3 years away) and allow multiple entries. Throughout the entire stay in ETIAS Area, for each single travel, the Korean passport is required to hold at least three months of remaining validity.When entering EU/Schengen Area, visitors from the Republic of Korea holders of a valid ETIAS can always be required to provide supporting documents to assess the genuine purpose of their travel.
Among the additional documents that could be required are:- Proof of sufficient funds to support one’s stay in Europe
- Return ticket to the country of origin
- Onwards ticket to a non-ETIAS country where the person has a proven right to enter
A health travel insurance is not compulsory to ETIAS visitors but always advised.
