South Korean cuisine offers a perfect mix of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and rich culinary traditions. From famous street food to authentic local meals, Korean food is a must-try experience for every traveler.
Popular dishes include Kimchi, Bibimbap, Bulgogi, Japchae, Tteokbokki, and the interactive Korean BBQ.
Local markets like Myeongdong and Gwangjang Market are ideal for enjoying quick street snacks such as Gimbap, Hotteok, and fried chicken.
Vegetarian options like vegetable Bibimbap, tofu dishes, and temple-style food are also widely available.
End your meal with traditional drinks like Soju or desserts like Bingsu.
Foreign nationals entering the Republic of Korea (hereinafter Korea) are required to possess a valid passport and a valid Korean visa issued by the Korean Embassy through the Diplomatic Missions of Korea in their country, or an E-Visa through the Visa Portal. However, there are many foreign nationals who are permitted visa-free entry for a limited period of time under certain conditions.
You may enter Korea without a visa if you are:
Visa is an entry permission granted by the country you are visiting. A visa has basic information about the traveler, such as the visa type, purpose of visit, status, sojourn period, etc. All foreign nationals must hold a valid Korean visa to enter Korea, unless they qualify for visa exemption under the Visa Waiver Agreement.
Travelers exempt from the visa requirement must apply for and obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization), a travel permit for foreigners from a visa-waiver country, before entering Korea.
Visa Types
Visa Application Check Points
For inquiries related to visas, call the Immigration Contact Center at +82-1345 from abroad, or 1345 without area code for domestic calls in Korea. Assistance is available only on weekdays from 09:00-22:00.
If you hold a passport that exempts you from the visa requirement, you must obtain a K-ETA before boarding a plane or ship. Once you get your K-ETA, it will be valid for three years or until your passport’s expiration date, whichever is first, and you can use the same K-ETA for multiple visits until it expires. The K-ETA validity period does not override the visa-free stay period guaranteed by the Visa Waiver Agreement; the visa-free stay period varies by country, so make sure to check in advance.
Please be aware that an approved K-ETA does not guarantee your entry into Korea, and the final decision is made by the Korean Immigration Officer at the port of entry.
K-ETA is exempted for foreign nationals of designated countries or regions from April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025 to boost Korea tourism. The complete list of countries/regions can be found at the K-ETA website.
Countries/Regions Exempted from K-ETA
For up-to-date information on K-ETA, please check the official K-ETA website.
If you are entering from or have traveled to one of the Quarantine Inspection Required Areas, you must either enter your information in Q-Code in advance or fill out and submit a Health Questionnaire.
You can enter your Q-Code information starting seven days prior to your arrival to Korea. If you complete your Q-Code registration before you board the flight, you can skip the Health Questionnaire and just show your Q-Code QR code instead during the quarantine screening.
South Korea has some of the most modern and traveler-friendly airports in the world, offering smooth immigration, excellent facilities, and easy connectivity to major cities.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the main international gateway, located near Seoul. It is known for fast immigration, duty-free shopping, lounges, free Wi-Fi, restaurants, prayer rooms, and convenient transport options like AREX train, buses, and private transfers.
Other important airports include Gimpo Airport (Seoul) for domestic and nearby international flights, Gimhae Airport (Busan), and Jeju International Airport, one of the busiest domestic airports in Asia.
Korean airports ensure a comfortable and hassle-free start to your journey.