Visa Requirements
Do South African citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Official Requirement
eTA required
for South Africa citizens travelling to South Korea
Citizens of most countries eligible for visa-free entry to South Korea are required to obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) before departure. Applications are submitted online through the official K-ETA portal, with a processing fee and a processing time of up to 72 hours.
Last checked 5 months ago (19 April 2026)
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
Seoul
The short answer
South African citizens need an approved electronic travel authorisation to enter South Korea for stays of up to 90 days. An electronic travel authorisation has to be approved before boarding for South Korea. This covers tourist and short business visits only, not work, study or residence, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry in every case. Entry rules change without notice, so the requirement is read again from the official source on a schedule and the date above is the last time that happened. The official source for this corridor is linked on this page and should be checked before booking. Where the destination government and the traveller's own government disagree, the destination government decides, because it is the one that writes the rule. This was last checked on 19 April 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for South African citizens visiting South Korea
- Requirement
- eTA required
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How South African citizens enter South Korea
Check your passport is valid for the whole trip. Many countries also want it valid for a period beyond your departure date, so confirm the exact rule on the official page below.
Apply online before you travel and wait for approval. Book nothing that you cannot change until the approval arrives.
Carry proof of onward or return travel and of where you are staying. Border officers ask for both, and an airline can refuse boarding without them.
Check the requirement again close to your departure date. This route was last checked on 19 April 2026, and rules change without notice.
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Practical Info
Travel Essentials
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Questions
What South African citizens ask about entering South Korea
Not a visa, but South African citizens do need an approved electronic travel authorisation before boarding a flight to South Korea. This was last checked on 19 April 2026.
Up to 90 days on this entry route. A longer trip needs a different permission, which this page does not cover. A border officer decides the length granted on the day.
Start from the destination government page linked on this page. Yoogo does not process applications and takes no fee for them.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
South Korea uses KRW. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 19 April 2026.
Full change history for this route →