Passport

Please ensure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity from your date of return from Seoul, South Korea. Kindly renew your passport if the validity expires before 3 May 2026.

Visa and K-ETA

Overview

Countries	Visa Required	K-ETA Required
Hong Kong	No	No
Indonesia	Yes	No
Malaysia	No	Yes
Singapore	No	No
Thailand	No	Yes
Vietnam	Yes	No

Notes:

• Malaysia and Thailand passport holders are required to apply for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization).
• Indonesia and Vietnam passport holders must obtain a visa to enter South Korea.
• Singapore and Hong Kong passport holders are currently exempt from both visa and K-ETA requirements until the end of 2025.

Visa

Citizens of the following countries will require a Visa to enter Seoul:

• Indonesia
• Vietnam

For other nationalities, click here to check if you need a visa to enter Seoul.

Please find the application guide for Indonesia and Vietnam here.

K-ETA

Citizens of the following countries will require a K-ETA to enter Seoul:

• Malaysia
• Thailand

K-ETA applications are usually processed within 72 hours. However, it is recommended to apply as early as possible, as processing may take longer during peak periods or due to unforeseen circumstances. Application guide for your K-ETA can be found here.

Start your K-ETA application for Seoul here!

Note: As of December 2024, the exemption of K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) will be extended for Singaporean & Hong Kong travellers until December 31, 2025. More information can be found here.

Reimbursement
You are eligible for reimbursement of your K-ETA/VISA fees to Seoul for this trip.

• Email in to: [email protected]
• Include a scanned copy of your k-eta/visa fee receipt along with the following details.
  Payee Account name :
  Mobile Number:
  Account Number :
  Bank Name :
  Payee Bank Address :
  Swift Code :
• Include in email header “K-ETA/VISA FEE REIMBURSEMENT – YOUR NAME”

VAT Refund

The standard GST rate in Seoul is 10%. 

You are eligible for a VAT Refund before leaving Australia if you meet all the following requirements:

• Minimum purchase of 15,000 won, purchased within 3 months of departure
• Foreign tourists: who have stayed in Korea for less than 6 months
• Overseas Korean: who have stayed in Korea for less than 3 months and have lived overseas for over 2 years.

Procedure of GST Refund

1. Claim your boarding pass, but do not check-in your baggage and make sure to hold onto the VAT refund receipts.
2. Show the purchased goods and VAT refund receipts to the customs officer and get the Customs Export Approval stamp on the receipts. 
3. Proceed to the baggage counter at the check-in area and check-in your luggage.
4. Proceed to a nearby tax refund counter or kiosk machine with your passport and tax refund receipt. Actual cash refund can be received in the Duty Free Zone after security inspection and screening.

Options to receive VAT Refund:

1. Visit a refund office at the border operated by a specialized collecting agency and receive a cash refund on spot.
2. Receive either credit card refund, including Alipay and WeChat Pay, or immediate cash refund at tax refund booths in major city downtown tax refund booths.

Embassy Information