Visa rules by passportLast checked October 16, 2026
Do citizens of Thailand need a visa for South Korea?
ThailandSouth KoreaOnline authorisation requiredNationals of Thailand do not need a visa for short stays in South Korea, but must get an online travel authorisation (K-ETA) before travelling.
- Authorisation
- K-ETAOfficial page(opens in a new tab)
- Fee
- KRW 10,000 (approx. USD 7-8)
- Typical stay
- 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 3 months or 6 months (Canada) as listed on the K-ETA site
- Note
- K-ETA required before travel. Stay: 90 days.
Diaspora: about 199,861 people born in Thailand live there (UN DESA 2024).
The visa route
Short-term tourist visa (C-3-9), with K-ETA for visa-free visitorsKorea has two routes for tourists. Nationals of visa-waiver countries do not need a visa but normally need a K-ETA (electronic travel authorisation) before boarding, although many of them are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026. Everyone else applies for a C-3-9 short-term tourist visa at the Korean embassy or consulate covering where they live; consulates now issue a visa grant notice instead of a passport sticker.Requirements and documentsAnother passport?
Rules depend on the passport you travel on. Visas or residence elsewhere can open easier entry.
Official sources
Rules change: check the official page before you travel.
General information from official sources, not legal advice. Even without a visa, entry isn't automatic: border officers decide, and conditions of stay apply.