PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: South Korea

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need an online travel authorisation before flying to South Korea.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourism, visiting family, short business meetings and conferences. Paid work and study are not allowed.

  • Passport validity

    Valid for the whole stay. Korea does not publish a 6-month rule for short visits.

  • How to apply

    If you need a K-ETA: apply only at www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app, at least 72 hours before boarding. Fee KRW 10,000 (about USD 7 to 8), non-refundable. Usually processed within 72 hours. A K-ETA is reported to be valid for 3 years. If exempt in 2026, you can still apply voluntarily (fee applies); a K-ETA holder does not need to submit an arrival card.

  • Where South Africans apply

    K-ETA is online only. For visits over 30 days, work or study: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pretoria (overseas.mofa.go.kr/za-en). The embassy's visa pages could not be opened.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    No vaccinations required. Health questionnaire only if arriving from a designated quarantine area or showing symptoms. Returning to South Africa: South Korea is not on South Africa's yellow fever risk list, so no certificate is needed on return.

  • Arrival forms

    Travellers without a K-ETA (including those using the 2026 exemption) must submit an arrival card. Fill it in free online at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr up to 3 days before arrival, or on paper on arrival. K-ETA holders are exempt from the arrival card.

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    Visa-exempt stays (B-1) are generally not extendable. Overstay leads to fines and possible entry bans.

  • Travelling with children

    Applicants aged 17 or younger or 65 or older are exempt from K-ETA. They still need an arrival card. Carry an unabridged birth certificate when leaving South Africa with minors.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. K-ETA, Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea (Official, k-eta.go.kr) https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do?locale=EN
  2. 2. K-ETA, Ministry of Justice notice on extension of temporary exemption (Official, k-eta.go.kr) https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/board/viewboarddetail.do?bbsSn=299706
  3. 3. Korea Immigration Service, Visa Navigator (May 2023) (Official, immigration.go.kr) https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
  4. 4. Embassy of the Republic of Korea in South Africa (Official, overseas.mofa.go.kr) https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/za-en/index.do
  5. 5. e-Arrival Card, Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea (Official, e-arrivalcard.go.kr) https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr/portal/main/index.do
  6. 6. Korea Immigration Service (Official, immigration.go.kr) https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/229/604164/artclView.do
  7. 7. K-ETA FAQ, Ministry of Justice (Official, k-eta.go.kr) https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/board/viewboardlist.do?tmpltNm=faq2&locale=EN
  8. 8. Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice (K-ETA eligible countries search) (Official, k-eta.go.kr) https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/guide/viewetaapplicableobject.do
  9. 9. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-korea/entry-requirements
  10. 10. Passport Index (Reference, discover.passportindex.org) https://discover.passportindex.org/policy-and-regulations/south-korea-extends-k-eta-exemption-until-end-of-2026/
  11. 11. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  12. 12. VisasNews (News and guides, visasnews.com) https://visasnews.com/en/south-korea-confirms-extension-of-k-eta-exemption-until-december-31-2026/
  13. 13. Turis.io blog (News and guides, blog.turis.io) https://blog.turis.io/en/2026/04/30/visa-free-travel-to-south-korea-eligible-countries-and-special-visa-free-policies/

From doineedavisa.co.za/south-korea. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.