Britons alerted if travelling to South Korea with new visa requirements

British nationals travelling to South Korea will continue to have a temporary exemption from the country’s electronic travel authorisation system (K-ETA) until December 31, 2025.

The exemption allows UK passport holders to bypass the standard K-ETA approval process when entering South Korea for short-term visits.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: “British nationals travelling visa-free to South Korea are temporarily exempt from requiring a K-ETA.”

Britons can enter South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa for short-term business or tourism purposes.

All visitors entering South Korea must have a confirmed ticket of travel before entering the country.

The FCDO added: “You must have an onward or return ticket. It’s illegal to be employed in South Korea while visiting visa-free, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.”

Those planning to stay longer or visit for purposes other than business or tourism must check specific visa requirements with the South Korean Embassy in the UK.

While British nationals are currently exempt, other visitors to South Korea typically need to obtain K-ETA approval before their journey.

Applications must be submitted through the Korean government’s official K-ETA website to avoid potential scams from unauthorised platforms.

The FCDO advised: “Other sites offering K-ETA application services are generally scams. It can take up to 72 hours for K-ETA approval to be granted.

“If you are travelling for any purpose other than short-term business or tourism, check visa requirements with the South Korean Embassy in the UK.”

Visitors must adhere to strict employment restrictions during their visa-free stay in South Korea.

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The UK is currently designated as a Quarantine Inspection Required Area by South Korean authorities.

All travellers from the UK must submit a health questionnaire, either through the pre-entry Q-Code system or by completing a paper form upon arrival.

Failure to complete the required health screenings could result in substantial fines of up to £5,470.

Britons travelling to Belgium have also been made aware of a “violent robbery threat” in certain parts of the European nation.