South Koreans are not required to have a visa to enter the United Kingdom (UK) for short trips. However, in 2024, South Korean citizens traveling to the UK will be required to obtain a UK Electonic Travel Authorization (ETA). It is a new digital permit mandatory for citizens of countries who can travel to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland without a visa for short trips. This includes citizens of South Korea.
Here is an all-you-need-to-know guide to help South Koreans navigate the new UK ETA system. It includes requirements, application process, travel expectations, and more.
Why is the UK ETA being introduced?
The introduction of the UK ETA system is part of the British government’s efforts to digitize and improve border security. It helps prevent illegal immigrants and organized crime syndicates from entering the UK. Additionally, the ETA enables the government to identify threats to national security before they step on UK soil.
The UK ETA is also designed to improve border control and streamline the immigration process for pre-verified, low-risk travelers.
For South Korean citizens, the UK ETA presents benefits that include the following:
- It is quick and easy to apply and get an approved ETA.
- It is reasonably priced compared to similar digital travel permits other countries impose.
- You only need to apply for an ETA every two years, not every time you visit the UK.
How the UK ETA system will affect South Korean travelers
Once the UK ETA is open to serve South Korean citizens in 2024, they must obtain a valid ETA before traveling to the UK. This is regardless of whether they are arriving on a flight, on a ship (e.g., as part of a cruise), or over land, such as through the rail tunnel connecting Britain with France.
A UK ETA is valid for the following travel purposes:
- Short-term stay of less than six months (180 days) for tourism, short-course study, visiting friends and family, and permitted business activities and medical treatments.
- Short-term stay for up to three months (90 days) on the Creative Worker visa concession
- Transiting through the UK (i.e., changing planes), whether or not passing through UK border control
To be eligible for an ETA, South Koreans must meet the following conditions:
- Be a national of a country that has a visa-waiver status with the UK. South Korea is included in the list of countries whose citizens need an ETA to travel to the UK.
- Have a biometric passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date from the UK.
- Do not intend to stay, work, or study in the UK for longer than six months.
- Do not have a criminal record and past immigration breaches in the UK or elsewhere.
All travelers, even children and infants, must obtain a valid ETA before traveling to the UK. Parents and guardians can apply for an ETA for their kids.
Individuals with a criminal record, past incarceration of over 12 months, or a history of immigration breaches in the UK or elsewhere may not be eligible for an ETA. They may need to apply for a UK visa instead.
The new ETA system will not affect South Korean citizens who plan to work or stay in the UK for over six months. They will still need an appropriate UK visa.
Requirements to apply for a UK ETA for South Koreans
South Korean citizens eligible for a UK ETA must prepare the following application requirements:
- A biometric passport issued by South Korea, whose citizens do not need a visa to travel to the UK for short trips.
- A recent digital passport photo
- A valid email address
- A working electronic payment method, such as credit or debit card, Apply Pay, or Google Pay
Applying for UK ETA
South Korean citizens can apply online for an ETA through the official UK government website or app. Completing the UK ETA application takes only a few minutes. It is entirely online or paperless, so there is no need for in-person visits to consulates or visa offices.
Before applying for an ETA, ensure you have all the requirements and necessary information. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how South Korean citizens can apply.
- Upload or take a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK. Ensure you include the picture and the two lines of numbers and letters at the bottom.
- Upload a recent passport photo or take a picture using your device’s camera, if it has one. Images should be saved as a jpeg file or with the file extension .jpg. Children aged nine and under will not need to upload a passport photo.
- Fill in all the required information. These include personal information (i.e., name, birth date), passport details, employment details, home address, and contact information.
- Answer questions on security and eligibility. Like any other UK visitor, South Korean ETA applicants must truthfully disclose criminal records, past immigration offenses, and any associations with or membership in any unlawful or illegal groups or organizations.
- Pay for the UK ETA application online. A UK ETA application costs £10 each. To complete the application, you must pay the fee online using a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
After submitting your UK ETA online application, you will receive a confirmation through the email you provided.
Tips for applying for a UK ETA
To avoid common mistakes, follow these guidelines for a swift and efficient UK ETA online application.
- Provide or capture clear, high-quality photos of your passport and yourself. Ensure the images comply with passport photo specifications and are in full color without filters or effects.
- Make sure you provide correct data and are as accurate as possible. Giving false or incorrect information and even withholding information could result in delays or your application being denied.
- Check beforehand if your online payment method works and if you have enough funds to pay for the application online.
- Be sure to review and double-check your application details before you submit.
South Korean travelers who need to correct any clerical errors in their ETA application can resubmit the application and pay the fee again. However, this is only recommended if they are certain that only minor errors were made and they are the reason for the application’s possible rejection.
Processing and receiving an ETA
Upon submission of a UK ETA application, the system will cross-verify the details submitted against several security databases in the UK and worldwide to check if the applicant is qualified for an ETA.
A decision on an ETA application is typically sent to the applicant’s email address within three days (72 hours) of submission. While some travelers receive a decision within minutes of applying, there are others who may wait more than three days.
South Korean citizens are advised to apply for a UK ETA before booking their travel to the UK to prevent delays and any other issues regarding their trip.
Individuals denied a UK ETA does not necessarily mean they cannot visit the country. They may still apply for an appropriate visa to travel to the UK. However, obtaining a UK visa involves a more complex process and may take longer than getting an ETA. It is essential to adjust your travel plans accordingly.
Traveling with a UK ETA for South Korean citizens
A UK ETA is digitally linked to an individual’s passport. It is valid for two years or until the passport is linked to expire, whichever comes sooner. A valid ETA allows for multiple short visits, each lasting only up to six months per visit. A South Korean traveler must apply for a new ETA after the permit or passport expires, whichever comes first, to continue being allowed to travel to the UK.
Departure to the UK
Since it is an electronic document, travelers don’t need to bring a physical copy of their ETA. For South Korean travelers with multiple passports, make sure to travel to the UK with the same passport used in the application.
Before boarding your plane, ship, or train, carriers will check if you have the appropriate permission-to-travel document by scanning your passport. They will only allow boarding to UK-bound South Korean travelers who can present an approved UK ETA or visa. Those still waiting for the decision on their ETA application will also not be allowed to board.
Arriving in the UK
An approved UK ETA does not guarantee permission to enter the UK. Upon arrival, South Korean citizens with a valid ETA must submit their identity documents to the UK Border Force or go through an electronic passport gate (eGate), if available.
Be prepared to show proof of onward travel or a ticket to leave the UK within six months upon arrival. If asked, travelers with an ETA must also be ready to show evidence that they have the financial capacity to support their stay in the UK and their journey home.
Immigration officials can refuse travelers’ entry to the UK even if they have an ETA if they fail a border check or do not meet other entry conditions.
Once past the border security, South Korean citizens with a valid ETA can freely travel between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Within the UK’s four constituent countries, South Korean visitors can use different modes of transport, such as trains, ferries, and local flights. Before boarding a ferry or an internal flight within the UK, they only need to present an ID, usually a passport or driving license.
A UK ETA is not valid in Ireland or other European Countries.
A UK ETA does not allow entry to the Republic of Ireland, a separate country, and other European nations. The UK is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Common Travel Zone.
South Koreans who want to visit Ireland or other European countries must inquire about the country’s entry requirements before booking their travel.
Travelers can check the UK ETA FAQs for more information on the UK ETA.