E-Visa for South Korea in 2025: Eligibility, K-ETA Exemptions, e-Group Visas & Workation (F-1-D) Explained

South Korea uses three different “digital” pathways for short-stay entry and visas, and which one fits you depends on your nationality and purpose: K-ETA (electronic travel authorization), individual e-Visa (issued online after approval), and the e-Group Visa (applied by designated travel agencies). There’s also a brand-new long-stay “Workation” (digital nomad) visa that some travelers confuse with an e-Visa. Below is a precise, specialist guide that tells you exactly who can use what in 2025—and how to apply without wasting time.

What an e-Visa is (and isn’t)
An e-Visa for Korea is an approval you receive electronically (no visa label) after an online application is examined by Korean immigration. You print the Visa Grant Notice (or “Confirmation of Visa Issuance”) and carry it to board your flight. It is not the same as K-ETA (which is a pre-travel authorization for visa-free nationals) and not the same as a consulate-sticker visa (Korea stopped issuing labels; decisions are provided as a notice you print).

1) Visa-free nationals in 2025 (tourism/business ≤90 days): K-ETA not required for many travelers

• In 2025, Korea has extended a temporary K-ETA exemption for multiple visa-waiver countries through December 31, 2025. If you’re from one of those exempt countries (e.g., Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., many EU states), you can generally enter without getting K-ETA this year.
• If you still choose to apply for K-ETA (optional while the exemption lasts), you’ll get small perks like skipping the arrival card.
• If your passport is visa-free but not on the exempt list, you may still need K-ETA before you fly.
• This pathway is not an e-Visa; there is no visa issued—just authorization to board.

2) Nationals who need a visa for short stays (tourism/business): two digital routes

• Individual e-Visa (C-3 categories): In specific scenarios (often when there is an inviter in Korea who obtains a “Confirmation of Visa Issuance” for you), you can complete your case online and print your visa notice yourself.
• e-Group Visa (C-3-2, regular tourist groups): If your nationality requires a visa and you’re traveling as a group of at least three people on the same itinerary, a designated travel agency can file your group’s e-Visa online via the Korea Visa Portal. This is especially useful in countries where individual tourist visas are congested; the agency coordinates everything and emails the group e-Visa notices.

3) Travelers with a Korean inviter (business visitors, conferences, short-term visits)

• If your host in Korea (company, institution, or family in permitted categories) arranges a Confirmation of Visa Issuance, you can complete an individual e-Visa online. You’ll then print the Visa Grant Notice instead of visiting the consulate for a sticker.

4) Remote workers (long stay): the Workation (F-1-D) “digital nomad” visa

• This is not a short-stay e-Visa for tourism. It’s a long-stay visa for remote workers employed by a foreign company, usually issued for one year and extendable once (max two years). It requires proof of income at least twice Korea’s GNI per capita (roughly mid-USD-60Ks based on recent guidance) and private medical insurance with coverage of at least KRW 100 million.
• Applications are typically lodged through the relevant Korean mission (and in some cases you may use the online portal for parts of the process), but it is not an “instant tourist e-Visa.”

A) K-ETA (for visa-waiver travelers when required or desired)

• Check your passport’s status for 2025: Many visa-free nationalities are exempt from K-ETA through December 31, 2025; if exempt, you can skip K-ETA.
• If you still want K-ETA (or your country isn’t exempt): submit basic personal details and trip info; fee is KRW 10,000 per person. Approval is sent electronically. Carry the same passport used for the application.
• Use-case: Short tourism or business (≤90 days), no employment in Korea.

B) Individual e-Visa (short stays) via “Confirmation of Visa Issuance”

• Who uses this: Applicants who need a visa but have a Korean inviter (company, school, family, etc.) that can initiate your case with immigration in Korea, or categories eligible for online filing.
• Process
  • Inviter applies in Korea (or you apply if your category allows) through the Korea Visa Portal.
  • Korean immigration reviews the file.
  • Once approved, you receive a Visa Grant Notice (also called Confirmation of Visa Issuance).
  • Print that notice; bring it with the passport you applied with to travel.
• Documents vary by C-3 subtype—tourism (C-3-9), general short-term visit (C-3-1), business visitor (C-3-4), etc. Typical items include passport, completed form, photo, proof of funds/travel, and if applicable an invitation letter and Korean business registration copy from the inviter.

C) e-Group Visa (C-3-2) for regular tourist groups

• Who uses this: Nationals who require visas and are traveling as a group of at least three on the same flight/ship and itinerary.
• How it works
  • Choose a designated travel agency authorized by Korean authorities to file e-Group visas.
  • Provide each traveler’s data (passport bio page, photo, trip plan).
  • The agency submits one online group application via the Korea Visa Portal.
  • Your group receives e-Visa approvals electronically; print and carry them when you travel.

• Notes that trip leaders care about

  • Every traveler in the group must enter and exit together on the same conveyance and follow the same route.
  • Agencies must remain in good standing; Korean authorities periodically suspend designated agencies that breach rules, so always verify your agency’s current status before paying.
  • This path can be faster than individual filings in some markets, but the timeline depends on the embassy workload and the agency’s completeness.

D) Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa (F-1-D)

• Who qualifies

  • Age 18+.
  • Employed by (or owner of) a foreign company with ≥1 year of experience in the same field; you’ll work remotely from Korea for that foreign employer (no local Korean employment).
  • Income ≥ 2× Korea’s GNI per capita from the previous year (missions have quoted figures in the ~KRW 85 million range / ~USD 62–66K; check the latest value when you apply).
  • Private medical insurance with coverage of ≥ KRW 100,000,000 for treatment and repatriation.
  • Eligible to bring spouse and minor children as dependents.

• How to apply

  • Prepare employment proof, income evidence (contracts, pay slips, tax returns), police clearance (apostilled/consularized if required), and insurance certificate meeting the KRW 100M threshold.
  • Submit through the competent Korean mission (some missions provide online scheduling or partially online submission).
  • Expect a multiple-entry visa with a 1-year stay, extendable once in Korea to reach a maximum of 2 years.

Start with your nationality & trip purpose

• Visa-free + K-ETA-exempt through 2025 → Fly with just your passport. Optional: apply for K-ETA to skip the arrival card.
• Visa-free but K-ETA still required → Apply K-ETA online before travel.
• Visa-required for tourism/business (≤90 days) → If you have a Korean inviter, ask them to get a Confirmation of Visa Issuance so you can finish as an individual e-Visa. No inviter? Consider traveling as a group (3+) and use a designated agency to file an e-Group Visa; otherwise, apply the usual way through the mission.
• Remote worker seeking 1–2 years → Workation (F-1-D) (not a tourist e-Visa): meet the income and insurance tests and apply via the mission.

K-ETA (when applicable)

• Passport (valid ≥6 months, same passport as application)
• Online application details; KRW 10,000 fee
• Return/onward ticket details recommended

Individual e-Visa (short stay with inviter or eligible category)

• Passport + photo
• Completed online form (or signed PDF, if your mission requires uploading)
• Proof of funds & ties to home country
• If invited: Invitation letter, Korean business registration copy, inviter ID/residence details
• Trip plan (flight booking and basic itinerary)

e-Group Visa (tourist group of 3+)

• Passport and photo for each traveler
• Unified itinerary (same entry/exit flight or ship)
• Agency’s internal forms and consent to file on your behalf

Workation (F-1-D)

• Passport + photo + application form
• Employment proof: contract, letter confirming remote role, and ≥1 year experience in the same field
• Income proof: pay slips/tax transcript showing ≥2× Korea GNI per capita
• Police clearance (apostille/consular legalization as required)
• Insurance: policy certificate showing ≥KRW 100,000,000 coverage for medical treatment and repatriation
• Family: marriage or birth certificates (with translations/legalization if required)

Processing time

• K-ETA: Typically quick (often within 24–72 hours), but apply at least 72 hours before departure.
• Individual e-Visa: Timing depends on the immigration review and the completeness of your inviter’s package; build in a few weeks.
• e-Group Visa: Your designated agency coordinates submission windows; apply well before departure to avoid bottlenecks during peak seasons.
• Workation: Treat it like a long-stay visa—start at least 4–8 weeks before your intended move.

Validity and stay

• K-ETA: Validity period varies; stays are typically up to 90 days per entry for most visa-waiver nationals.
• C-3 e-Visas (tourism/business): Usually single or multiple entry with stays up to 90 days per entry; the exact grant appears on your Visa Grant Notice.
• Workation (F-1-D): Multiple-entry, 1-year stay on first issue; 1-year extension possible inside Korea (total 2 years).

Paper you carry to the gate

• For K-ETA: nothing physical is required, but carry your passport and keep a screenshot of your approval.
• For e-Visas (individual or group): print the Visa Grant Notice (or Confirmation of Visa Issuance) and bring the same passport used for the application.

Assuming K-ETA = visa

• K-ETA is not a visa and doesn’t let visa-required nationals skip the visa. It only applies to visa-waiver travelers and, in 2025, many of them are exempt from even doing K-ETA.

Booking a group, then flying separately

• For e-Group Visas, everyone must enter and exit together on the same flight/ship. Any deviation can invalidate the approval.

Using a non-designated agency

• Only designated agencies can file e-Group cases. Authorities actively suspend agencies that breach rules, and embassies list those suspensions. Verify the agency’s status at the time you pay.

Under-insuring for Workation

• The KRW 100,000,000 minimum medical + repatriation coverage is a hard requirement for the F-1-D. Policies that do not explicitly state the amount are often rejected.

Income math for Workation

• Missions assess the previous year’s GNI per capita; ensure your after-tax income meets or exceeds 2× that threshold according to the current mission guidance, and present it clearly (annual totals + monthly breakdowns).

If you’re visa-free: In 2025 you may be K-ETA-exempt; that’s one less task before your flight. If you like streamlined arrival, you can still apply for K-ETA to skip the paper arrival card.

If you’re visa-required: Ask your Korean partner (business host, school, family) whether they can sponsor a Confirmation of Visa Issuance—it often converts a walk-in consular application into a quicker e-Visa printout.

If you’re organizing a tour: The e-Group route is efficient, but only when the group is truly traveling on the same schedule. Lock the itinerary before filing.

If you’re a remote worker: Treat Workation like a residency-style visa. Your two non-negotiables are income and insurance. Prepare legalizations early (police check, marriage/birth certificates).

• K-ETA: Many visa-waiver nationalities are exempt until Dec 31, 2025. Apply only if not exempt or if you want the arrival-card convenience.
• Individual e-Visa: Often available when a Korean inviter secures a Confirmation of Visa Issuance—you then print your Visa Grant Notice.
• e-Group Visa (C-3-2): 3+ travelers, same transport & itinerary; must apply via a designated travel agency.
• Workation (F-1-D): Long-stay remote-work visa (1+1 years), income ≥ 2× GNI per capita, insurance ≥ KRW 100M; not a tourist e-Visa.