If you are planning to travel to South Korea in 2026 for tourism, to meet your favorite BYULs, or to visit relatives, are you still struggling with visa issues? “Do I need a visa for a personal trip?”, “Can a group of three really enter the country without a visa?”, “What exactly is K-ETA?” This article outlines the latest entry policies for South Korea in 2026, covering everything from C-3 tourist visas and group visa exemptions to electronic entry cards. Understand it all at once, and you’ll be prepared before you set off!
I. Overview of South Korea’s immigration policies regarding tourists from Taiwan/China in 2026
In 2026, South Korea implemented the following regulations for travelers holding regular Taiwanese and Chinese passports, depending on the method of entry:
- Taiwan passport holders are eligible for visa-free entry and may stay for up to 90 days. However, it is still necessary to apply for a K-ETA before departing.
- Mainland Chinese passports – for individual independent travel to areas on the main island such as Seoul and Busan: It is necessary to apply for a C-3 tourist visa in advance; there is no exemption from this requirement.
- Mainland Chinese passports for travel to Jeju Island: You can arrive in Jeju directly by flight or cruise ship and remain there for up to 30 days without a visa, but you are not allowed to visit the mainland of South Korea.
- Mainland Chinese passports – For group travelers consisting of three or more people: Eligible individuals are exempt from visa requirements and may stay for up to 15 days. This policy is in effect until June 30, 2026.
- Transit Visa Exemption: Holders of valid US, Japanese, Canadian, or Schengen visas, who also possess a round-trip ticket within 30 days of their travel date, are eligible for a 30-day visa exemption during their transit period.
II. Complete application process for C-3 individual tourist visas (for Chinese mainland passports)
Individuals holding a Mainland Chinese passport who wish to travel to the Korean mainland for personal tourism purposes must apply in advance for a C-3-9 short-term comprehensive tourist visa. The following are the latest application procedures for 2026:
Step 1: Determine the relevant jurisdiction
Depending on the province or city where your household registration is located, submit the application to the corresponding South Korea embassy or consulate in China.
- Beijing Embassy: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning (excluding Fushun and Dalian)
- Consulate General of Shanghai: Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Gangseo, Fujian
- Consulate General of Guangzhou: Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Tibet
- Qingdao, Dalian, Chengdu, Xi’an, Wuhan: Each governs the provinces and cities under its jurisdiction.
Step 2: Prepare the application documents
The list of documents required for the C-3-9 tourist visa (2026 edition) is as follows:
- Original passport: The passport must be valid for at least 6 months, and it must have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps.
- Visa application form: Download the latest version from the official website of the South Korea Embassy and fill it out truthfully.
- Recent ID photo: Color photo on a white background, taken within the past 6 months, size 35mm × 45mm.
- Copy of ID card: Both sides of the ID card should be printed on the same A4 sheet of paper.
- Copy of the household register: a photocopy of the entire register
- Proof of financial capability (choose one from the following): bank statement for the past 6 months, proof of personal income tax payment, or proof of ownership of assets such as real estate or vehicles.
- Proof of employment (for current employees): This document should specify the job title, salary, and date of employment, and must be stamped with both the company’s official seal and the employee’s personal stamp.
- Itinerary: A brief description of the travel time, destination, and accommodation arrangements.
Step 3: Submission and Fees
Applicants from the Chinese mainland must submit their applications through the visa agency designated by the consulate (they cannot go directly to the consulate themselves).
- Single-entry visa: Approximately RMB 420 (visa fee) + service fee for handling the application
- Double-entry visa: Approximately RMB 630
- Review time: usually 5 to 10 working days
III. Visa-free entry requirements for groups of three or more people from China (valid until the end of June 2026)
Starting from September 29, 2025, South Korea implemented a pilot program allowing group tours of three or more people from China to enter the country without a visa. This pilot program will remain in effect until June 30, 2026. The following requirements must all be met:
- Minimum number of participants: 3 people or more
- Organization method: Applications must be made through designated travel agencies; individuals are not allowed to apply on their own.
- Team composition: The group must be formed by individuals from the same family, company, or circle of friends; group combinations are not accepted.
- Flight requirements: Enter and exit via the same flight.
- Maximum stay: 15 days, not extendable.
- Additional procedures: It is still necessary to complete the K-ETA application at least 72 hours before departure and fill out the electronic entry form.
⚠️ Special note: If you are identified by the South Korean authorities as a “high-risk traveler,” you may still be denied visa-free entry even if you meet the above requirements. In such cases, you will need to apply for a visa separately.
IV. K-ETA Electronic Travel Authorization & Electronic Entry Card (new version introduced in 2026)
K-ETA (South Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)
The K-ETA system applies to travelers who are eligible for visa-free entry into South Korea, including those holding Taiwanese passports (who are eligible for a 90-day visa waiver). Holders of Chinese mainland passports who meet the requirements for group visa waivers must also complete the application process at least 72 hours before departure.
- Official application website: k-eta.go.kr
- Validity period: 3 years from the date of issuance, or until the expiration of the passport
- Cost: Currently free of charge.
- Note: Holders of a valid South Korea C-3 tourist visa do not need to apply for a K-ETA separately.
Electronic entry card (fully implemented starting from 2026)
Starting from January 2026, all travelers entering South Korea will be required to submit their electronic entry cards online in advance; paper copies will no longer be issued at the airports.
- Official website: www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr (the only official channel, free of charge; please avoid accessing counterfeit websites).
- Time for completion: Within 3 days prior to arrival in South Korea (in South Korea time).
- Recommendation: Take a screenshot after sending it out for easy reference in case of need.
V. Frequently Asked Questions Q&A
Q1: If I enter Taiwan with a Taiwanese passport and do not require a visa, are there any other procedures I need to go through?
Although holders of Taiwanese passports are exempt from visa requirements for entering South Korea, they must first apply for K-ETA at the website k-eta.go.kr and complete the electronic entry form at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr no later than 3 days before their arrival. Completion of both procedures is necessary to ensure smooth entry into South Korea.
Q2: If this is my first trip to South Korea, should I apply for a one-entry visa or a double-entry visa?
If you only plan to make one trip, applying for a single-entry visa is sufficient and the cost is lower. However, if you intend to travel multiple times within the same year, a double-entry visa (allowing two entries) offers better value for money. Those with a significant history of traveling in and out of the country may also consider applying for a five-year multiple-entry visa.
Q3: How much bank deposit is required to increase the chances of approval?
There is no publicly specified minimum deposit requirement for South Korea visas. It is generally recommended that the account balance remain at least 30,000 to 50,000 RMB over the past six months. If you can also provide evidence of a stable job and salary, the likelihood of your visa application being approved will increase.
Q4: After obtaining visa-free access to Jeju Island, can I take a domestic flight to Seoul?
No. The visa-free access to Jeju Island is only applicable for activities conducted on the island itself. Attempting to travel to Jeju Island via domestic flights in South Korea would constitute illegal entry. If you have such travel plans, please make sure to apply for a C-3 tourist visa in advance.
Q5: Are the electronic entry card and Q-CODE the same thing?
They are not the same. The e-Arrival Card is a mandatory immigration declaration document that has been in effect since 2026; Q-CODE, on the other hand, is part of the Health Declaration System managed by the Department of Health. While its completion is currently not mandatory, doing so in advance can speed up the immigration inspection process. These two systems serve different purposes, so please handle them separately.
VI. Things to do before departure: A checklist for preparing to enter South Korea in 2026
- Confirm the method of entry (Taiwan visa-free entry / Individual C-3 visa / Jizhou visa-free entry / Group of three visa-free entry / Transit visa-free entry).
- For a [Taiwan passport], complete the K-ETA application on k-eta.go.kr at least 72 hours before departure.
- For individual travel with a Chinese mainland passport, submit the C-3-9 tourist visa application to the designated agency 4 to 6 weeks in advance.
- Within 3 days prior to your arrival in South Korea (in South Korea time), go to www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr to complete the electronic entry form and save a screenshot of it.
- Optional: Pre-fill your health declaration on the official Q-CODE website to speed up the clearance process.
- Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months, and bring sufficient cash (Korean won) as well as a mobile phone charger with you.
VII. Conclusion: Do your homework well, and your trip to South Korea will be both easy and worry-free.
In 2026, South Korea’s immigration policies will generally be more user-friendly. Whether it’s the visa-free benefits for Taiwanese travelers or the visa-free policy for groups of three from Mainland China, along with the fully digitalized immigration process, all these measures will make traveling much more convenient. However, please remember that individuals from Mainland China traveling on their own to cities on the main island such as Seoul or Busan still require a C-3 tourist visa. Do not believe false claims such as “full visa exemption.” Make sure to check your immigration requirements carefully and prepare all necessary documents before you set off, and your trip to South Korea will go smoothly!
※ The information in this article is updated as of March 2026. Visa policies may change at any time, so please refer to the latest announcements on the official website of the South Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean consulates general in China (Taiwan).