South Korea extends ETA-free travel for S'pore & 21 other countries until Dec. 31, 2025

South Korea has waived its Korean-Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) travel for Singaporeans and nationals of 21 other countries for an additional year, for the period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025.

The decision was announced on Dec. 11 on the Korean-ETA website by the Ministry of Justice, with the hope that the waiver will "stimulate the tourism industry" to visit Korea.

The K-ETA is a requirement that visa-free foreign visitors have to obtain before entering South Korea, and must do so at least 24 hours prior to boarding a flight.

Application fees currently stand at 10,000 won (S$9).

A pop-up message informing those who are exempted from it will be displayed when one is filling up their travel application, said the ministry.

Those who have previously obtained a K-ETA card will not be able to receive a refund, and can continue to use it multiple times until its validity of three years is over.

However, whilst the ETA has been waived, one can still apply for a K-ETA to enjoy certain benefits such as not having to submit an arrival card.

According to the Changi Airport Group (CAG), South Korea is the fastest growing market for Changi Airport, reported The Straits Times.

In October 2023, approximately 209,000 passengers travelled between the two countries as compared to 153,000 passengers prior to the pandemic in October 2019, said CAG in November 2023.

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