DFAT’s 12 October update to its South Korea Smartraveller page confirms that Australian passport-holders will remain exempt from applying for a Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) for stays of up to 90 days until at least 31 December 2026. The waiver, first introduced during 2025 to stimulate post-pandemic tourism, had been scheduled to lapse this month, prompting uncertainty among business-traveller programmes. Under the extension, Australians entering South Korea for tourism, conferences, market visits or short-term client work can continue to travel visa-free without the K-ETA’s ₩10,000 (about A$11) fee or the 72-hour pre-departure application. Travellers must still carry onward-ticket evidence and may be questioned on arrival about accommodation and funds. For corporate mobility teams the decision removes an administrative layer that had begun creeping back into itineraries. Many Australian companies use Seoul as a regional headquarters or hub for semiconductor-supply and defence-industry engagements; avoiding the K-ETA process helps keep lead-times for urgent trips under 48 hours. Travel managers should, however, note that re-entry permits remain mandatory for foreign residents of Korea leaving the country temporarily. DFAT’s advisory also highlights South Korea’s dual-nationality rules, industrial-action-related transport disruptions, and the continued risk of North Korean provocations. Businesses with staff on assignment should ensure employees have enrolled in local emergency-alert apps and understand shelter-in-place protocols. Mobility professionals should update pre-trip checklists to reflect the waiver but keep monitoring for regulatory changes: Seoul’s Ministry of Justice has signalled it will review the exemption again in mid-2027 as part of broader inbound-tourism reforms.
Source: DFAT – Smartraveller
