By The Escape desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
As of October 2026, Singapore citizens can enter South Korea without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days. Singapore passport holders are also exempt from K-ETA, Korea’s electronic travel authorisation, until 31 December 2026, according to the Korean Embassy in Singapore. What you do need is the e-Arrival Card: a free online form, filed on the official site (e-arrivalcard.go.kr) within the three days before you arrive, which replaced the paper arrival card from 24 February 2025. If you choose to apply for K-ETA anyway, it costs 10,000 won and is non-refundable. Rules for 2027 have not been announced, so check MFA before booking next year’s trip.
Seoul, Busan and Jeju are a short hop away, and the paperwork is light. Here is exactly what to file, and when.
Quick facts
- Visa: not required for Singapore citizens for stays of up to 90 days.
- K-ETA: Singapore passport holders exempt until 31 December 2026.
- e-Arrival Card: required, free, filed online within 3 days before arrival (Korea time).
- Official sites: e-arrivalcard.go.kr for the arrival card; k-eta.go.kr for K-ETA.
- Voluntary K-ETA: 10,000 won, non-refundable.
- Korea’s immigration service has warned about fake sites charging fees.
K-ETA or e-Arrival Card: which do you need?
They are separate systems and easy to mix up. K-ETA is a pre-travel authorisation that visa-exempt visitors from many countries must get before boarding. Singapore has been on Korea’s temporary exemption list, most recently extended to the end of 2026. The e-Arrival Card is simply the digital version of the landing card everyone fills in.
| K-ETA | e-Arrival Card | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Electronic travel authorisation before you fly | Online arrival card |
| Singaporeans in 2026 | Exempt until 31 December 2026 | Required |
| Cost | 10,000 won if you apply voluntarily | Free |
| When to file | Before travel | Within 3 days before arrival |
| Official site | k-eta.go.kr | e-arrivalcard.go.kr |
How to file the e-Arrival Card
- Wait until you are within three days of arrival, counted in Korea time; filing opens then.
- Go to the official site, e-arrivalcard.go.kr. Do not use a search ad or a third-party site that charges.
- Have ready your passport, email address, arrival date, inbound flight number, the address where you will stay and your departure date.
- Complete a card for each traveller in your group, following the site’s instructions.
- Submit and keep the confirmation. A card is valid for 72 hours from submission, so if your flight changes and you miss that window, file a new one.
Approval of any form does not guarantee entry: the immigration officer at the airport decides. Carry proof of onward travel and your accommodation booking.
What changes after 2026?
Korea has extended Singapore’s K-ETA exemption in stages: the extension to the end of 2026 was posted by the Korean Embassy only on 24 December 2025. As of October 2026 there is no announcement for 2027. If you are travelling from January 2027, check the Korean Embassy in Singapore and MFA’s travel page in December; if the exemption lapses, apply for K-ETA on the official site well before your flight.
The WahLiao Verdict
For a trip before the end of 2026, skip K-ETA and spend the 10,000 won on tteokbokki instead. Set a phone reminder three days before landing to file the e-Arrival Card on the official site, one per person. For trips in 2027, check MFA’s Korea page and the Korean Embassy’s notices before you pay for flights, because this exemption has always come with an end date.
Questions people ask
Do Singaporeans need K-ETA for Korea in 2026?
No. Singapore passport holders are exempt until 31 December 2026. You can still apply voluntarily for 10,000 won.
Is the e-Arrival Card free?
Yes. Any site charging a fee for it is not the official one.
Can I file the arrival card a week early?
No. It opens three days before your arrival in Korea time.
How long can I stay?
Up to 90 days visa-free for a short visit. Work or study needs a visa.
Sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore, K-ETA exemption for Singapore passport holders until 31 December 2026; Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore, e-Arrival Card requirement from 24 February 2025; Little Big Red Dot, e-Arrival Card and voluntary K-ETA details; Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, travel advisories and visa information for the Republic of Korea on mfa.gov.sg (check before you go). The Escape explains; it does not advise.
Read next: MFA’s eRegister and Consular Help · Travel Insurance: What It Covers · Back to The Escape
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