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Before you go to South Korea: what to know

Must know

  • Since 1 Jan 2026 an online e-Arrival Card is mandatory (paper cards phased out) unless you hold a valid K-ETA. File it free within 3 days before arrival.
  • K-ETA (KRW 10,000) is waived until 31 Dec 2026 for 22 countries incl. US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland. Trips in 2027 may need a K-ETA again - check k-eta.go.kr.
  • Russian and Kazakh visitors are visa-free but must get a K-ETA at least 72 hours before departure.
  • Controlled ADHD medicines, including amphetamine drugs, require specific advance MFDS approval; a prescription alone is insufficient. Illegal cannabis carries severe penalties.
  • Google Maps navigation is limited in Korea; use Naver Map or KakaoMap.

Entry and visas

Visa-free nationalities must hold either a K-ETA (online, KRW 10,000, valid up to 3 years) or, if K-ETA-exempt, complete the free e-Arrival Card. Temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries/regions runs until 31 Dec 2026; travellers aged 17 or younger or 65 and over are also exempt. Nationals of Uzbekistan, Belarus, Ukraine, India and mainland China need a visa (Chinese and some others can visit Jeju alone visa-free for 30 days).

Online arrival forms and permits

  • K-ETA ↗ required
    At least 72 hours before boarding · Fee: KRW 10,000 · Visa-free nationals not on the temporary exemption list (e.g. RU, KZ, TR)
  • e-Arrival Card ↗ required
    Within 3 days (72 hours) before arrival · Fee: Free · All foreign visitors without a valid K-ETA or residence card

Passport validity: Valid for the whole stay; 6 months recommended.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Fingerprints and a photo are taken at immigration (age 17+).
  • Use only official sites: many look-alike K-ETA/e-Arrival sites charge extra fees.
  • Buy a T-money card at the airport for metro, buses and convenience stores.

Customs

  • Duty-free allowance USD 800 per person; 2 bottles of alcohol (total 2 L, under USD 400) and 200 cigarettes.
  • Declare cash and cheques over USD 10,000.
  • Meat, sausages and fresh fruit are prohibited without certificates; heavy fines apply.
  • Carry prescriptions for medicines; stimulants and narcotics need prior approval.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: k-eta.go.kr ↗, blog.wego.com ↗, blog.turis.io ↗, loyaltylobby.com ↗, k-eta.go.kr ↗, k-eta.go.kr ↗

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cards are widely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, UnionPay

Apple Pay — works in some places · Google Pay — works in some places

Where to exchange money

  • Licensed money changers in Myeongdong and Itaewon (Seoul) usually beat banks
  • Airport bank counters are fine for small amounts on arrival

Where not to exchange

  • Hotel desks
  • Dynamic currency conversion (paying in your home currency)

ATMs: Use 'Global ATM' machines (e.g. Woori, Shinhan, KB, convenience-store ATMs) for foreign cards; expect a local withdrawal fee plus your bank's fee.

Tipping: Not expected or customary; upscale hotels add a service charge.

  • Cards (even for small amounts) work almost everywhere; street markets and some taxis may prefer cash or T-money.
  • Apple/Google Pay with foreign cards work only on contactless terminals, which are not universal.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard do not work abroad; Mir is not accepted. Bring USD/EUR to exchange or a foreign-issued card.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗, gov.uk ↗, support.apple.com ↗, english1.visitkorea.or.kr ↗, usa.visa.com ↗, mastercard.com ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Drugs incl. cannabis and CBD with THC: strict penalties, prison and deportation.
  • Do not bring amphetamine medicines such as Adderall without specific advance MFDS approval; a foreign prescription alone is insufficient.
  • Drones: flying in central and northern Seoul (no-fly zones near the presidential office and the DMZ) and near airports is banned without a permit.
  • Photographing military bases and around the DMZ outside tour rules.
  • Smoking indoors and in many public places (bus stops, parks); fines apply.
  • Drink-driving: limit 0.03%, enforced strictly.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Carry your passport; police can ask for ID.
  • Defamation can be a criminal offence in Korea, including online posts and reviews.
  • Working on a visa-free entry is illegal.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, overseas.mofa.go.kr ↗, 8tharmy.korea.army.mil ↗, gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Mostly non-religious, with large Christian and Buddhist communities.

Clothing: Modern and fashion-conscious; casual clothes fine. Cover shoulders and knees in temples. Swimsuits only at beaches/pools.

Etiquette

  • Bow slightly when greeting; use two hands to give and receive items, especially to elders.
  • Remove shoes in homes, temples and floor-seating restaurants.
  • Seats marked for elderly, disabled and pregnant passengers on the metro should be left empty.
  • Pour drinks for others, not yourself; turn slightly away from elders when drinking.
  • Do not write names in red ink.
  • Speak quietly on public transport.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗

Climate

Four distinct seasons (Seoul shown): cold, dry winters below freezing, hot humid summers with a monsoon (jangma) late June–July and occasional typhoons in Aug–Sep. Jeju and Busan are milder.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: 1°C / -6°C, coldest; dry and windy
  • February: Feb: 4°C / -4°C, cold; dry
  • March: Mar: 11°C / 2°C, cool; fine dust days possible
  • April: Apr: 18°C / 8°C, cherry blossom early April
  • May: May: 24°C / 14°C, warm, sunny; excellent
  • June: Jun: 28°C / 19°C, warm; monsoon starts late month
  • July: Jul: 29°C / 23°C, monsoon rains, humid
  • August: Aug: 30°C / 23°C, hot, humid; typhoon risk
  • September: Sep: 26°C / 18°C, warm, clearing; Chuseok holiday
  • October: Oct: 20°C / 10°C, clear; autumn foliage
  • November: Nov: 11°C / 3°C, crisp; late foliage
  • December: Dec: 3°C / -4°C, cold; ski season begins

Best season: April–May and September–November for mild, clear weather.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗

What to pack

  • Type C/F plug adapter (220V)
  • Warm coat, gloves and thermal layers for Dec–Feb
  • Umbrella or rain jacket for late June–August
  • Slip-on shoes
  • Mask for fine-dust days in spring
  • Prescriptions with the original packaging for medicines

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Adderall or other amphetamine-based medicines
  • CBD or cannabis products
  • Meat products and fresh fruit

Practical

Plugs: Type C/F, 220V, 60Hz

Water: Tap water is treated and safe, though locals usually drink filtered or bottled water.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: Very fast mobile data. eSIMs and prepaid SIMs (KT, SK, LG U+) are sold at Incheon airport and online; free Wi-Fi on the metro and in cafes.

Apps: Naver Map, KakaoMap, Kakao T (taxis), Papago, Subway Korea, K-ETA

Internet: Open internet; Google Maps has limited navigation due to map data rules. Some North Korea-related sites are blocked.

Health: No vaccinations required. High-quality hospitals in cities with international clinics; pay upfront. Air quality can be poor on fine-dust days, mostly in spring.

Insurance: Not required for entry; recommended.

Emergency: Police 112; fire/ambulance 119; tourist helpline 1330 (24h, English)

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗, gov.uk ↗, english.seoul.go.kr ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.