South Korea Extends ETA Exemption for Singaporean Travelers Until End-2025

The K-ETA, typically required for travelers from visa-free countries such as Australia and Hong Kong, costs 10,000 won (S$9) per person and must be applied for at least 24 hours before departure. It allows multiple entries for up to three years using the same passport and simplifies entry for short-term stays.

Tourism Boost Amid ConcernsSouth Korea's Culture Minister Yu In-chon recently expressed concerns about a potential decline in tourist arrivals in 2025 and emphasized the importance of sustaining inbound travel. The extension of the K-ETA exemption is part of efforts to attract more visitors following a turbulent year marked by political challenges.

While the K-ETA is not mandatory for exempted travelers, those who wish to benefit from faster entry processes, such as skipping the arrival card submission, can still apply for it and pay the application fee.

Surging Travel Between Singapore and South KoreaTravel between Singapore and South Korea has seen significant growth. In October 2023, approximately 209,000 passengers traveled between the two countries, compared to 153,000 in October 2019, according to Changi Airport Group.

From January to October 2023, 1.8 million passengers traveled between Singapore and South Korea, a notable increase from the 1.32 million recorded during the same period in 2019.

This latest extension of the K-ETA exemption is expected to further encourage travel and strengthen tourism ties between South Korea and participating nations, with Singaporean travelers among those set to benefit.