South Korea passport → United States
Do South Korean citizens need a visa for the United States?
South Korean passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to the United States for up to 90 days. It is a short online application, not a full visa.
What this means for your trip
- Apply only on the official government site; third-party sites charge extra.
- Apply a few days before travel; most approvals are quick but some take longer.
- The authorisation is linked to your passport. A new passport needs a new application.
United States at a glance
- Capital
- Washington D.C.
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Region
- Northern America
US38.0°N · 97.0°WPhoto: This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade. To · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsUnited States for other passports
- South KoreaeTA90 days
IndiaVisa required
United KingdomeTA90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa required
ChinaVisa required
SingaporeeTA90 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required
CanadaVisa-free180 days
Nearby in Northern America for South Korean passport holders
- CanadaeTA180 days
Common questions
Do South Korean citizens need a visa for the United States?
South Korean passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to the United States for up to 90 days. It is a short online application, not a full visa.
How long can South Korean citizens stay in the United States?
Up to 90 days under the current eta rule. Longer stays need a different visa.
Can South Korean citizens get a visa on arrival in the United States?
Not under the standard rules.
How many countries can South Korean citizens visit without a visa?
160 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The South Korea passport ranks #4 of 94 (passports with equal scores share a rank).
Source: Passport Index Data (imorte), scraped from passportindex.org, published 17 Feb 2026. Last checked 11 Oct 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the official embassy or immigration website of the United States before you travel.