South Korea announces online arrival cards for foreign visitors

Arrival cards are required for foreign nationals visiting South Korea for 90 days or less. PHOTO: REUTERS

SEOUL — The South Korean government announced on Feb 24 that visitors entering the country can now submit online arrival cards up to three days in advance.

Previously, foreign visitors were required to fill out paper arrival cards at the airport and immigration officers had to scan each one individually.

The Ministry of Justice decided to implement electronic arrival cards to speed up processing at immigration desks and to increase convenience for travelers.

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“The online arrival card is expected to allow the government to manage foreign visitors’ data more systematically. It will not only ease congestion at airports, but also support efforts to attract more foreign tourists,” the ministry said on Feb 24.

Arrival cards are required for foreign nationals visiting South Korea for 90 days or less.

Both paper and online arrival cards will be accepted until the end of 2025 to minimize confusion in the early stages of the new system.

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The e-arrival card can be accessed and submitted at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr, up to three days before arrival.

The website is available in seven languages: Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Russian.

A card will expire if a person does not enter South Korea within 72 hours of submitting it.