ETIAS Visa Waiver for South Koreans
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Welcome to Europe
ETIAS Travel Authorization for South Korean Citizens
South Korean tourists to Europe will need an ETIAS travel authorization for short-stay trips up to 90 days before the year 2025. The EU announced in 2016 that it would implement a new travel visa waiver similar to those in other countries such as Canada, Australia, and the U.S.
ETIAS required
These countries will require an ETIAS visa waiver upon their arrival on their territory.
Austria- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Ireland
- Romania
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Vatican
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, started on September 14th that it was essential to identify who crosses Europe’s borders. ETIAS will enable European Union member countries to see who is traveling to the region before they arrive. South Koreans cannot apply for visas or travel authorizations to enter the Schengen Area.
ETIAS will be available from the end of 2025 at all borders within the European Schengen area, including sea, aerial, and land. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, stated that it was essential to identify who crosses Europe’s borders. ETIAS will enable European Union member countries to see who is traveling to the region before they arrive. South Koreans cannot apply for visas or travel authorizations to enter the Schengen Area.
South Korea: ETIAS for Europe
The E.U. visa waiver confirmation will allow South Korean tourists to visit any Schengen zone country in Europe during the 90 days that the ETIAS travel authorization permits. Visa waiver confirmation will allow eligible South Korean tourists to travel freely within the EU's Schengen area countries during the 90-day ETIAS travel authorization period. The ETIAS visa waiver Koreans have three years validity from the date it is received. Or until the traveler loses their passport, whichever comes first. The ETIAS E.U. visa waiver allows the traveler to return to the EU area as often as they wish during this period. A Visa waiver is a multi-entry travel authorization that can be used for up to 90 days. ... While Europe's entry regulations will remain the same as they are now, including restrictions on tobacco import and export, the most recent changes in the border control procedures, referred to in ETIAS, will allow Immigration and Border Authorities to maintain tighter control over who comes and goes. The European Visa Waiver will be a legal requirement for all South Korean citizens starting in late 2025. It is only available to travelers aged 18 or older.
Read MoreETIAS Visa Waiver Application for South Koreans
The application for the ETIAS Visa Waiver for Koreans will become available at the end of 2022. It is an online platform that Korean travelers to Europe need to fill out with their contact information, travel documents information, and basic security questions.
The ETIAS process shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. It will be sent to the ETIAS entity for screening. They will review the information of the traveler to determine if there are any security threats. The ETIAS Application for South Korean Citizens will include contact information for eligible travelers with exact details as shown on the passport, as well as answering any questions regarding security or previous travel arrangements.
South Korean citizens must include their full name, address, and date of birth on the online application. Each applicant must indicate the Schengen Zone. Security questions ask about the applicant’s criminal history, health, and past travels to conflict zones.
The ETIAS application should take no more than 10 minutes. After the applicant has submitted the form and paid the fee, the ETIAS system will process their application. The system will compare the information against security databases like Interpol, Europol, and EURODAC. Once the application is approved, it will be notified by email.
If an application raises the alarm, it will be manually inspected by a team of specialists. The applicant will be informed if additional documents are required. The traveler will be notified via email if the application is rejected. If ETIAS is denied, they can appeal the decision.
South Korean tourists who submit an ETIAS must pay the ETIAS fee via credit or debit card. ETIAS status notifications will be sent to applicants’ emails. After approval, the applicant can travel to the Schengen Area.
Get notified when ETIAS becomes mandatory
Agreements between South Korea and EU countries on mutual visa waiver
South Korean citizens can stay in certain European countries after the 90-day Schengen limit due to bilateral agreements regarding traveling and entering their territories.
For the indicated number of days, South Korean passport holders can stay in the following countries:
• Belgium for three months
• Bulgaria for 90 Days
• The Czech Republic for 90 days
• Denmark for 90 days
• Germany for 3 Months
• Greece for 90 Days
• Spain for 90 Days
• France for 90 Days
• Italy for 60 Days
• Latvia for 90 days
• Luxembourg for 90 days
• Hungary for 90 days
• The Netherlands for 90 Days
• Austria for 90 Days / 180 Days
• Portugal for 60 Days
• Slovakia for 90 days
• Sweden for 90 days
Other Schengen associated countries include:
• Iceland for 90 Days
• Liechtenstein for 90 days
• Norway for 90 Days
• Switzerland for 90 days
South Koreans must stay in the particular EU country throughout the expansion period. It is not possible for them to freely move around Europe under bilateral agreements. South Korean nationals wishing to visit multiple Schengen countries in one trip are advised to apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver.
South Koreans must fly directly to another country when they depart under a reciprocal agreement. They must not stop in any Schengen Area countries.
Reciprocal agreements between EU Member States (EU) and South Korea can be modified.
South Korean nationals Must Meet the Following Conditions to Travel to Europe
South Korean citizens will need a travel authorization to travel to Europe from South Korea. This authorization allows them to enter the Schengen region freely. South Korea currently is not required to have a European visa. This is also known as the Schengen Visa. It allows citizens to travel around Europe freely.
This will change at the end of 2022, when the program is implemented. It is intended to make Europe safer and increase immigration and border control. The European Union Agency handles ETIAS development for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems, EU-LISA. It already manages critical European systems like Eurodac and Visa Information System (VIS) and the Second Generation Schengen Information System II (SIS II). Schengen member states already collaborate and exchange data on foreign travelers who enter the region. All data submitted by a traveler to their ETIAS application will be checked and compared against security databases. This will allow the system to determine if someone has lied or committed fraud. South Korean citizens must apply online for an ETIAS travel authorization before they depart to be eligible for the European visa waiver. This will ensure that they are appropriately registered with the European system and can quickly and easily pass border control. The E.U. is not required. Visa waivers for Korean citizens will prevent them from entering Europe. The ETIAS requirements for Korean citizens are that you have a valid passport from South Korea, with a validity of 3 months beyond your visit to Europe, a credit card or debit card that can pay for the ETIAS fee online, and an email address where the approved ETIAS Visa Waiver for South Koreans is sent. ETIAS will electronically link to the passport of the traveler.
