Travelling to South Korea
Entry requirements by nationality
- Argentina: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Australia: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Brazil: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Canada: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 180 days per visit
- Chile: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- China: visa required
- France: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Germany: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- India: visa required
- Israel: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Italy: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Japan: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Malaysia: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Mexico: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Netherlands: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- New Zealand: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Singapore: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- Spain: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- United Kingdom: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
- United States: electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required — up to 90 days per visit
What you can bring
- Cannabis: prohibited — Marijuana-related offenses under the Narcotics Control Act carry up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to KRW 50 million.Detailscompare everywhere →
- Cash: allowed, must be declared — Declaration to Korea Customs is required when carrying means of payment (cash, checks, etc.), in Korean won or any foreign currency, equal to or exceeding USD 10,000 (or equivalent) into or out of South Korea.Detailscompare everywhere →
- CBD: prohibitedDetailscompare everywhere →
- Controlled medication: depends on specifics — "Any person who will enter into Korea with medicines containing controlled substances should get a permit from the Ministry [of Food and Drug Safety, MFDS], regardless of their nationality" — quoted directly. In force since October 23, 2009; online applications available since December 27, 2024. Apply in advance through MFDS's Narcotics Policy Division (+82-43-719-1564, narcotics@korea.kr).Detailscompare everywhere →
- Drones: depends on specifics — Drones under 250g are exempt from registration. Drones of 250g or heavier must be registered through the Drone One-Stop portal, a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport administrative system that lists a roughly 7-business-day processing time for aircraft registration.Detailscompare everywhere →
- E-cigarettes: allowed, within limits — "e-cigarette/liquid nicotine 20ml (Nicotine percentage less than 1%)" — quoted directly from the Korea Customs Service's own English-language duty-free allowance page.Detailscompare everywhere →
- Fresh produce: prohibitedDetailscompare everywhere →
- Meat & dairy: prohibitedDetailscompare everywhere →
- Prescription medication: allowed, within limits — "The medicines are allowed with a maximum of 6 bottles or three months' supply." Travelers must show proof the medicines are for personal use — a prescription, medical certificate or pharmacy label on the packaging — and may also be asked for a receipt or other proof of lawful purchase. Keep medicines in their original packaging.Detailscompare everywhere →
From the blog
Checked against official sources on 2026-09-02. Official source