South Korea has introduced relaxed visa policies and simplified entry rules to boost international arrivals, joining India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Indonesia in targeting record visitor numbers. The initiative comes amid strong global travel recovery, as destinations compete to attract more leisure and business travellers. The new measures aim to strengthen South Korea’s position as a leading tourism hub in Asia.
Key highlights include a pilot visa-free programme for Indonesian group tourists and expanded eligibility for five-year multiple-entry visas for travellers from major markets such as China and ASEAN countries. Automated immigration gates are also being extended to select European Union nationals for faster airport processing. Additionally, temporary exemptions from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) remain in place until the end of 2026 for eligible visitors.
The primary goal of these reforms is to attract 30 million international tourists by 2026 and accelerate tourism-led economic growth. By easing travel barriers and improving entry systems, South Korea aims to encourage repeat visits and expand tourism beyond major cities. Travellers are advised to review updated visa guidelines through official government and embassy platforms before planning their trips.
