[Korea Travel 2026] Guide to E-Arrival and SeS Automated Clearance in Korea + Airport Self-Service Tax Refund

Starting January 1, 2026, South Korea will fully implement electronic entry procedures, replacing paper entry cards. All travelers will be required to submit their entry applications online within 72 hours of arriving in South Korea.

Required documents

1. Valid passport
2. Flight number
3. Accommodation address in South Korea
4. Email address

South Korea E-Arrival Declaration Card Application Steps

1. Click "Declare" under "Personal Electronic Entry Declaration" on the Electronic Entry Declaration Card Webpage within 72 hours of arrival
2. Agree to all terms of collection and use of personal data, fill in the email address and click "Confirm"; applicants under the age of 14 must have their parents or guardians fill in the form on their behalf.
3. Upload a photo of your passport's personal information page and travel information, including arrival and departure flight details, purpose of entry, accommodation address, and occupation, and submit an application form.

After submitting the application, applicants can immediately download the PDF file or save a screenshot of the arrival card for reference. There is no waiting period for approval or any fees involved. If there are any changes to the information, they must be reported on the Web page before immigration. Upon arrival in South Korea, simply scan your passport for entry; no application form is required.

Exempt from declaration

The following individuals are exempt from submitting an electronic arrival card:

1. Holding a Korean Alien Registration Card (such as a permanent resident card or work visa).
2. Passengers holding a valid K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
3. Passengers using the SES electronic clearance system
4. Airline crew members

When entering South Korea, you can also apply for the "Korea E-Channel" SeS (Smart Entry Service) to enter through automatic gates that read your passport. Hong Kong SAR passport holders can apply for it for free at designated locations in the airport. After completing the application, they will be exempt from submitting an electronic arrival card.

SeS Automated Customs Clearance Application Eligibility

• Holders of visa-free chip passports
• Must be 17 years of age or older
• The Passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
• No criminal record in South Korea

SeS Self-Service Immigration Application Steps

1. At the application center, take a waiting number as instructed by the staff and wait to be called.
2. Record your fingerprints and take photos as required by staff.
3. Fill in your phone number (Hong Kong phone numbers are acceptable).

The process takes about 5 minutes, but travelers who plan to apply at immigration should allow more time to avoid delays affecting their immigration arrangements.

SeS Self-Service Immigration Application Location

Incheon Airport T1
Location: In front of Section H of the departure building on the 3rd floor
Service hours: 07:00-18:00

Busan Gimhae International Airport
Location: 2nd Floor, Departure Affairs Section (출국사무과)
Service hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00

Jeju International Airport
Location: In front of the VIP lounge on the 3rd floor
Service hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00

In addition to major airports, you can check the other locations throughout the Hi Korea Official Website.

SES validity period

The SeS is valid until the passport expires, and a new application must be submitted after the passport is renewed.

Even if tourists travel to different regions of South Korea, they can apply for a tax refund together as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. In addition to counter services, self-service tax refund machines are available for tourists at popular tourist destinations, large department stores, and airports in South Korea, where they can choose to receive a refund in cash or by credit card.

In South Korea, most stores offer tax-free or tax-refund options. When shopping, you should pay attention to whether the price charged by the merchant is tax-free.

Those eligible for a tax refund must meet the following conditions:

• Staying in South Korea for no more than 6 months
• Departure within 3 months of purchase
• Spend 15,000 Korean Won or more in a single transaction at participating stores to receive a tax refund.
• Hold a tax refund form from the store that says "TAXFREE".
• When departing the country, bring your tax refund receipts, shopping receipts, and unopened and unused tax-inclusive goods.

Although there is no limit to the amount you can spend for a tax refund in South Korea, the self-service tax refund machines have a maximum refund amount. If you exceed this limit, you will need to go to the customs counter to process your refund.

• A single tax refund exceeding 75,000 Korean won
• You need to go to the customs tax refund counter to process it; the goods need to be inspected and stamped by customs before they can be checked in as baggage.
• For single tax refunds of less than 75,000 Korean won
• Tax refunds can be processed at self-service kiosks, and baggage can be checked in directly during check-in.

1. Separate your luggage according to the amount of tax refund.

The self-service tax refund machine can only process receipts with a single refund amount of less than 75,000 Korean won. For amounts exceeding this, you will need to go to the counter and undergo customs inspection.

2. Proceed to the self-service machine to scan your passport and tax refund form.

First, select your language, then scan your passport's information page at the self-service machine, and finally scan all your tax refund forms. Eligible forms will display an "O" in the "Customs Confirmation" field; if an "X" appears, you must bring the unopened and unused purchased goods to the customs declaration counter for processing. If the forms cannot be scanned, you may have already received your refund.

3. Collect your refund after leaving the country as instructed.

Passengers can choose to receive payment by credit card or cash, and must proceed to the tax refund counter or machine after departure to collect the cash or refund to their card, as displayed on the machine.

4. Check-in and baggage drop-off

Baggage for which a tax refund was successfully processed at the self-service machine can be checked in directly during the check-in process.

Incheon Airport - Terminal 1

• Before leaving the country
• Next to counters B, E, J, and L on the 3rd floor
• After leaving the country
• The duty-free area is located on the 3rd floor near gate 28, next to the central pharmacy on the 3rd floor of the terminal building.
• Business hours: 24 hours
• Contact number: 032-743-1009

Incheon Airport - Terminal 2

• Before leaving the country
• Near the check-in counters D/E on the 3rd floor
• After leaving the country
• The duty-free area is on the 3rd floor, opposite gate 250, near gate 253.
• Business hours: 24 hours
• Contact number: 032-743-0647

*Information is for reference only. The actual location of the machine is subject to change. Please check the location on the Incheon Airport website.

1. Allow time

Due to the large number of people processing tax refunds and boarding, please allow more time at the airport to complete the tax refund procedures and check your luggage, so as not to miss your flight due to long queues or not have time to process the tax refund.

2. Collect all tax refund documents and process them in one go.

Receipts that meet the tax refund criteria will have the word "TAXFREE" on them. When shopping, travelers can keep all their tax refund receipts in one place for convenient processing and to save time.

3. Do not open or use tax-refunded goods.

Goods eligible for tax refunds in South Korea cannot be opened or used within the country. Customs will also conduct random checks on duty-free goods. Travelers need to keep the tax-refund goods safe until they have completed the tax refund procedures and left the country before they can be used.