South Korean Travellers Now Need UK ETA Permit
Visa-free entry to the United Kingdom now requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for passport holders of eligible countries, including South Korea. The rule applies to both visitors and transit passengers who previously did not need a visa. The ETA system became mandatory for South Korean nationals from 8 January 2025 as part of the UK’s staged border control changes.
ETA is a digital entry permit linked to the traveller’s passport and required before boarding. It is valid for two years and allows multiple entries during that period. A new application is required if the passport changes. The fee is £16, and applications must be submitted through the official UK ETA app or the government website.
Applications are required for all travellers, including infants and children, when they hold a passport from an eligible visa-exempt country. The UK visa holders and permanent residents are exempt from the ETA requirement. Authorities advise submitting the request at least three days before travel to allow time for processing and approval.
What the new ETA covers
- Required for visa-free visitors and transit passengers
- Valid for two years with multiple entries
- Costs £16 per application
- Not required for UK visa or residency holders
The permit applies to short stays for tourism, business visits and family trips, keeping common travel purposes available without a full visa process. Cities such as London, Edinburgh and Manchester remain reachable under the same visit rules, while airport transit without a visa now also depends on ETA approval for eligible nationalities.
The change adds an extra planning step before flying, even on short notice trips. Approval is usually digital and straightforward, yet travel without a confirmed ETA is not permitted for affected nationalities. Checking status early avoids airport refusals and missed departures. The system signals closer pre-departure screening while keeping visa-free travel in place under new conditions.
