South Korea Visa Requirements for Thai Citizens (2026)

No — Thai citizens can enter South Korea without a visa. Maximum stay: 90 days. Every number on this page carries the date we last verified it.

Specifically for Thai passport holders

• •
  Thai passport holders are allowed to stay in South Korea for up to 90 days. [1]
• •
  Thailand is included in the Visa Exempted (B-1) group, and Thai travellers also use the Ordinary Tourist (C-3-9) category for stays under 90 days. [1]
• •
  Jeju Island has its own visa-free entry route as Tourist/Transit (B-2-2) for stays under 90 days. [1]
• •
  Other short-term options for Thai travellers include Short-Term General (C-3-1) and Medical Tourist (C-3-3), each for stays under 90 days. [1]

Required documents

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of arrival
• K-ETA approval (KRW 10,000, apply at k-eta.go.kr)
• Return or onward ticket from South Korea
• Proof of sufficient funds for stay
• Q-Code (quarantine) submitted online before arrival
• Scanned images of your passport pages [2] [3] [4]
• A digital photograph in natural colour, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm [2] [3] [4]
• A credit card for paying the electronic fee [2]

Fees & processing

Fee details are queued for government-source verification. The official portal has current pricing.

From official-portal extracts (captured 2026-09-08):

• •
  The K-ETA application fee is KRW 10,000 per person, about USD 7-8. [5] [6]
• •
  Additional online payment processing fees may apply, generally around 3%. [6]
• •
  The fee covers the K-ETA application and examination process and is non-refundable whatever the outcome. [6]
• •
  Payment can be made with VISA, MASTER, JCB, AMEX, Diners Club, DISCOVER, UnionPay or Alipay+; a card with overseas payments blocked may fail. [6]

How to apply

1. Apply only through the official site www.k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA mobile app. [5]
2. Agree to the terms and conditions to begin the application. [8]
3. Verify your email address. [8]
4. Enter your passport information, then fill in the rest of your application details. [8]
5. Check everything you entered and complete the application. [8]
6. Pay the KRW 10,000 fee; assessment generally takes within 72 hours. [5] [6]

Before you fly

• •
  A K-ETA approval is valid for 3 years.
• •
  Submit your Q-Code quarantine information online before arrival.
• •
  Assessment of a K-ETA application generally takes within 72 hours, so apply before you travel. [5]

Full South Korea entry guide — customs, health, long stays — on the destination page.

Watch out for

Recent changes

1. 2026 · upcoming
   On 25 February 2026, South Korea announced that it will be expanding the tour group visa-free policy towards citizens of Indonesia in the future.
2. 2022-09-16 · confirmed
   Qatar
3. 2016-09-21 · confirmed
   United Arab Emirates
4. 2014-11-29 · confirmed
   Kazakhstan
5. 2014-01-01 · confirmed
   Russia
6. 2013-01-10 · confirmed
   Uruguay
7. 2007-12-22 · confirmed
   Venezuela
8. 2006-03-01 · confirmed
   Japan
9. 2004-10-20 · confirmed
   Chile
10. 2003-12-17 · confirmed
    Guatemala
11. 2003-06-27 · confirmed
    Latvia
12. 2002-05-20 · confirmed
    Brazil

Policy updates affecting this route

1. 2026-09-07 · confirmed
   E-9 workers were assigned to a specific site; transfer to another site permitted only in limited cases → Allowed to transfer to another site belonging to the same construction company (same employer) where the new site meets E-9 requirements — South Korea loosens E-9 worksite transfer rules

Frequently asked

Sources & last verified

This is general travel information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change and enforcement varies at the border — always confirm on the official portal before you travel.