South Korea entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity

FCDO · British passportUpdated 14 May 2026

Passport validity (FCDO rule): Expiry date after the day you leave

Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below

Official source: GOV.UK – South Korea travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 14 May 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026

Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter South Korea, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.

Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani

Driving in South Korea, do you need an international driving permit? Canadian licence · Australian licence

Do I need a visa for South Korea with a British passport?

We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it: its first sentence has conditions or a wording we do not turn into a one-line answer.

You can enter South Korea for up to 90 days for short-term business or tourism. You must have an onward or return ticket. It’s illegal to be employed in South Korea while visiting visa-free, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.

South Korea operates an electronic travel authorisation system called K-ETA. Anyone eligible for visa-free entry to South Korea is usually required to get K-ETA approval before departure. However, British nationals travelling visa-free to South Korea are temporarily exempt from requiring a K-ETA until December 31, 2026. Further information about the K-ETA exemption can be found on the K-ETA notice board.

If you need to apply for a K-ETA, you should ensure that you apply through the Korean government’s official K-ETA website. Other sites offering K-ETA application services are generally scams. It can take up to 72 hours for K-ETA approval to be granted.

If you are travelling for any purpose other than short-term business or tourism, check visa requirements with the South Korean Embassy in the UK.

For those in South Korea on a work visa, all employment changes must be authorised by Korean Immigration.

More from the FCDO visa section (extensions, border checks and other cases)

Re-entry permits for long-term visa holders

Most foreign nationals in South Korea on long-term visas are allowed to re-enter South Korea within one year of departure without the need for a re-entry permit. Check with the Korea Immigration Service.

If you are resident and intend to spend more than a year outside of South Korea, in most cases, you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit via the Hi Korea website before departure. If you require a re-entry permit, engage early with the immigration authorities and apply for a re-entry permit at least 4 working days ahead of any planned travel.

Visas for working as an English teacher

To get a visa to teach English in South Korea, you must have a 3-year university degree. A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification alone is not enough. If you are found to have a teaching visa by deception, you will be detained and deported.

British nationals teaching English in South Korea have sometimes found living and working conditions to be below their expectation or have had difficulties getting the correct visas and residence permits. Some also report more serious problems such as breach of contract, confiscation of passport, payment being withheld and inadequate insurance.

Check all terms and conditions of your employment carefully. If possible, speak to other teachers from the place where you plan to work before accepting any offer. If you are in South Korea and in need of assistance, you should contact the British Embassy in Seoul.

Official source: GOV.UK – South Korea travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 14 May 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026

Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”

To enter South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ after the date you are leaving South Korea.

To enter South Korea on a long-term visa, your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Official source: GOV.UK – South Korea travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 14 May 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026

Check your passport for South Korea

For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.

Different rules for other cases (official)

To enter South Korea on a long-term visa, your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements

• 14 May 2026: “Updated information about submitting e-Arrivals cards when arriving in Korea (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
• 30 December 2025: “Updated information on K-ETA exemptions and entry declaration forms (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
• 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
• 6 August 2025: “Updated information on health screening requirements when arriving in country (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
• 3 April 2025: “New information on electronic entry declaration documents, forest fires, doctor shortages and English-language support ('Entry requirements', 'Safety and security', 'Health' and 'Getting help' pages).”

Read the full FCDO travel advice for South Korea (safety, visas, health) before you travel.

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Same FCDO rule (Beyond departure)

Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status