K-ETA for Indians 2026: Why It Does Not Apply and What You Need Instead
Visa facts checked against official sources on 7 October 2026.
Indian passport holders cannot use K-ETA. The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization is only for nationals of countries that may enter South Korea without a visa, and India is not one of them. Indian travellers need a visa before they fly.
An earlier version of this article said Indians could travel on a K-ETA. That was wrong, and this page has been corrected against the official sources listed at the end.
Key fact
If you hold an Indian passport, a K-ETA does not let you board a flight to or enter South Korea. Apply for a visa instead; for tourism that is the short-term tourist visa (C-3-9), which costs INR 3,600 and takes about 2 weeks.
What K-ETA is, and who it is for
K-ETA is an online travel authorisation run by the Korean government. It is a pre-arrival check for people who already have visa-free access to South Korea; the Korean foreign ministry currently lists nationals of 112 countries as able to apply. It is not a visa and it does not create visa-free access for anyone else.
India is not on that list. For Indian citizens, the entry document for a holiday, a family visit or a business trip is a visa issued by a Korean mission.
What Indians need instead: the C-3-9 tourist visa
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Short-term tourist visa (C-3-9), single entry |
| Official fee | INR 3,600 for Indian nationals (single entry of up to 90 days, from 1 August 2026); the visa application centre adds a service charge |
| Processing time | About 2 weeks |
| Where to apply | The Korea visa application centre that covers your state |
Documents
The Korean Embassy lists these for a tourist visa:
- Passport
- Visa application form
- Photo
- Flight booking
- Hotel booking
- Bank statement
How to apply
- Fill in the visa application form and attach a photo.
- Collect your flight booking, hotel booking and bank statements.
- Submit at the Korea visa application centre that covers your state and pay the fee.
- Collect your passport after about 2 weeks. Apply well before your travel date.
Avoid paying for a K-ETA you cannot use
- Unofficial websites sell K-ETA applications to anyone who pays. An approval obtained that way does not replace a visa for an Indian passport holder.
- The only official K-ETA site is k-eta.go.kr. The only official source for visa rules in India is the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
- Airlines check entry documents at check-in. Without a visa you can be refused boarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Indian citizens apply for K-ETA?
A: No. K-ETA is only for nationals of countries that can enter South Korea without a visa. India is not on that list, so Indian passport holders need a visa.
Q: What visa do Indian tourists need for South Korea?
A: The short-term tourist visa (C-3-9). The Korean Embassy lists a fee of INR 3,600 for Indian nationals and processing of about 2 weeks.
Q: Is there a visa on arrival in South Korea for Indians?
A: We found no visa on arrival for Indian tourists on the official Korean pages we checked. Get your visa before you travel.
Q: I already paid a website for a K-ETA. What now?
A: A K-ETA does not replace a visa for an Indian passport. Apply for the visa through the Korea visa application centre, and ask the website you paid about a refund.
Planning a trip to South Korea?
See the visa options, fee, documents and steps in our South Korea guide, checked against official sources.
Read the South Korea visa guideOfficial Resources
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. K-ETA requirements, fees, validity, and processing times are subject to change by the Korean government. Always verify the latest information on the official K-ETA website, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India, and official Korea Immigration Service channels before making travel arrangements.