La South Koreaeager to stimulate its sector tourist and attract more visitors, has introduced measures to simplify the procedure for applying for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization). This electronic travel authorisation now allows a wider range of tourists to enter the country without the need for a visa, ensuring a smoother, more accessible experience. New initiatives include extending the languages supported and improving services to better welcome travellers from all over the world.
Recently, the Korean government has announced a series of measures designed to simplify access for foreign tourists to its territory, with particular emphasis on extending the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) system. This electronic authorisation allows nationals of 112 countries to enter South Korea for a short tourist stay, without needing a visa. The application process, which was previously limited to English, will now be available in several other languages, making the experience much more accessible.
Expansion of the K-ETA system
With the aim of attracting more visitors, the K-ETA system is undergoing a significant expansion. The Ministry of Justice confirmed that, in addition to English, the travel authorisation application process will now be available in Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay and Indonesian. This initiative aims to revitalise the tourism sector by extending the linguistic scope of this procedure, making it easier for as many travellers as possible.
For more information and the application procedure, tourists can visit the K-ETA website, which is also available in several languages: https://www.keta.ne.kr/article/francais/.
Improving the visitor experience
In addition to easing entry formalities, the government has put in place measures to optimise theexperience for tourists during their stay. These include the addition ofmobile applications which will provide services in English and Chinese. This will make it easier for travellers to navigate tourist sites by providing information in their mother tongue.
Concerning public transportWith the introduction of the "travel card" scheme, it will now be possible to buy pre-paid travel cards using foreign credit cards, making it easier to travel as soon as they arrive in the country. This initiative aims to make travel more convenient and accessible for foreign visitors.
An expanded baggage delivery service
Another significant measure is the extension of the luggage delivery service. This service, which transports passengers' luggage from KTX stations to their hotels, will be extended to 16 stations across the country, a significant increase on the 9 stations currently served. The aim is to lighten the load for travellers, enabling a smoother transition when they arrive in Korea.
Cultural events and an improved welcome
Promoting Korean culture is also at the heart of these new initiatives. From cultural events dedicated to Korean trends will be organised across the country, enabling tourists to discover the richness and cultural diversity of South Korea. The government also wants to work with local authorities to train translators in lesser-used languages, such as Vietnamese, Thai, Malay and Indonesian, to improve the welcome for visitors to these regions.
The "Local 100" project and the introduction of a K-culture visa
As part of the "Local 100The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has arranged for the Minister to personally visit 100 selected rural areas in 2024 and 2025 to highlight these hidden treasures. This initiative aims not only to promote tourism in rural areas, but also to diversify the tourism experience in Korea.
In addition, a new K-culture visa was introduced, allowing foreigners to train in institutions linked to Korean culture, particularly in the field of K-pop. The aim of this measure is to attract people who are passionate about Korean culture, thereby encouraging more tourists to visit South Korea.
To keep up to date with these new measures and procedures, it is advisable to consult the official K-ETA website, where the latest information is regularly updated: https://www.keta.ne.kr/article/la-coree-du-sud-renait-le-k-eta-une-nouvelle-ere-dexigences-pour-les-voyageurs-a-partir-du-1er-janvier-2025/.
Facilitating K-ETA applications in South Korea
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| K-ETA system | Electronic authorisation for 112 countries for tourist stays without a visa. |
| Languages supported | Forthcoming languages: Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian. |
| Mobile application | K-ETA application currently available in English only on Android and iOS. |
| Enhanced Apps | Mobile mapping with services in several languages for easy access to information. |
| Public transport | Purchase of prepaid cards with foreign credit cards prior to arrival. |
| Luggage delivery | Extension of the delivery service to 16 stations, making it easier to transport luggage to hotels. |
| Cultural events | Organisation of events highlighting Korean trends across the country. |
| Translator training | Initiatives to train translators in less common languages to improve reception. |
| K-culture Visa | Introduction of a visa for foreigners wishing to study Korean culture, particularly K-pop. |
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