Entering Korea with a United States passport

What we found on official pages, with the date we checked.

In short

United States passport holders can stay up to 90 days without a visa, and K-ETA is not required until 31 Dec 2026.
Without a K-ETA you fill in an arrival card. The e-Arrival card can be sent online from 3 days before you arrive.
Stayed in or passed through Michigan, Washington State or New Mexico? Fill in Q-CODE before you land. Q-CODE can be filled in from 7 days before arrival.

K-ETA is temporarily not required until 31 Dec 2026.
Checked 2026-10-15 · K-ETA notice: temporary exemption extended to 31 Dec 2026 (Ministry of Justice)
When you start a K-ETA application and scan your passport, the site tells you if you are exempt.
Checked 2026-10-15 · K-ETA notice: temporary exemption extended to 31 Dec 2026 (Ministry of Justice)
If you enter Korea visa-free, you need an approved K-ETA before you board, unless your country is temporarily exempt.
Checked 2026-10-15 · K-ETA official site, application guide (Ministry of Justice)
A K-ETA is valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner.
Checked 2026-10-15 · K-ETA official site, application guide (Ministry of Justice)
With a valid K-ETA you do not fill in an arrival card.
Checked 2026-10-15 · K-ETA official site, application guide (Ministry of Justice)

Korea has accepted an online arrival card (e-Arrival card) since 24 Feb 2025.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs: e-Arrival card notice
You can submit it online from 3 days before you arrive.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs: e-Arrival card notice
Who needs it: the same people who fill in the paper card, such as visa holders and travellers exempt from K-ETA.
Checked 2026-10-15 · e-Arrival card official site, FAQ (Ministry of Justice)
If you hold a valid K-ETA, you do not need it.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs: e-Arrival card notice
Missed it? You can still fill in the online or paper card before immigration. Both count the same.
Checked 2026-10-15 · e-Arrival card official site, FAQ (Ministry of Justice)

You must hold a valid passport (and a valid visa if you need one) to enter.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Immigration Act, Article 12 (National Law Information Center)
We did not find an official Korean rule that requires 6 months of passport validity. Your airline may have its own rule, so check with it.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Immigration Act, Article 7 (National Law Information Center)

Q-CODE is required if you stayed in or transited through Michigan, Washington State or New Mexico (priority quarantine areas, 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2026).
Checked 2026-10-15 · Korea.kr: priority quarantine areas, 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2026
Q-CODE is an online health form. You can fill it in from 7 days before arrival until you enter Korea.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Q-CODE official site (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)
It is required if you stayed in or transited through a priority quarantine area. If you visited another quarantine area and have a fever, cough or similar symptoms, you must use it too.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Q-CODE official site (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)
From 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2026, 32 countries are priority quarantine areas.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Korea.kr: priority quarantine areas, 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2026
Not reporting your health, or reporting it falsely, can lead to a fine of up to 10 million won.
Checked 2026-10-15 · Q-CODE official site (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)