You need the South Korea ETA if you have a Costa Rican passport

South Korea ETA

Government fees and our service are shown together — no charges added at the end.

Visa required

South Korea ETA

Price: $37.89
Processing: from 2 days
Entries: Multiple entry
Maximum stay: 90 days
Enter within: 3 years

$7.99 government fee $29.90 our service

What you need for the South Korea ETA

These are the documents this application asks for. You can upload them after checkout — nothing is needed to start.

Applicant's Photo
Passport Bio Page

Need the photo? Our free passport photo maker produces one in the official format.

Everything about the South Korea ETA — conditions, what the authorities check and how long it lasts.

How it works

1
Answer the questions
One form, written in plain language. We ask only what South Korea actually requires for a Costa Rican passport.
2
We check and submit
Your application is reviewed for the mistakes that cause rejections before it goes to the authorities.
3
Approval by email
Approval usually arrives within 2 days. It comes by email, with everything you need to show on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Do Costa Rican citizens need a visa for South Korea?

Yes. Costa Rican citizens need a visa for South Korea, and the South Korea ETA can be applied for online.

How much does the South Korea ETA cost for Costa Rican citizens?

$37.89. That is $7.99 in government fees and $29.90 for our service.

How long does it take to get the South Korea ETA?

From 2 days. Governments do not guarantee processing times, so apply as early as you can.

How long can Costa Rican citizens stay in South Korea?

Up to 90 days per entry.

How long is the South Korea ETA valid for?

You must enter South Korea within 3 years of approval. That window is separate from how long you may stay.

Is the South Korea ETA single or multiple entry?

Multiple entry — you may leave and return while it is valid.

When should Costa Rican citizens apply?

Approval takes from 2 days, and you then have 3 years to enter South Korea. Applying a few weeks before departure leaves room for both.

Still have a question?

Ask our assistant. It answers in the chat, and we hand it the route you are looking at — Costa Rican passport, travelling to South Korea — so you do not have to repeat it.

What South Korea may ask for

Not every traveller is asked for all of these. A valid passport is checked every time; the rest is a spot check at the border, and some items belong to a visa application rather than the crossing itself.

Passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages
Passport photo 35x45mm with white background
Confirmed round-trip flight itinerary
Hotel reservation or accommodation proof
Proof of sufficient funds for stay
Completed visa application form

Entry requirements for Costa Rican travellers

These rules apply specifically to Costa Rican passport holders entering South Korea as tourists. Each one links to the official source where available.

Required
Re-entry permit is required for long-term foreign residents
Registered foreign residents who have departed on or after April 1st, 2022, and intend to re-enter South Korea after spending more than 1 year abroad from the date of departure (2 years maximum) must obtain a multiple re-entry permit before departing for international travel from South Korea. This permit requirement doesn’t apply to travelers with the following statuses: -Diplomats (A-1), Government Officials (A-2), International Agreement (A-3), or Overseas Korean (F-4) are not required to apply for a Re-Entry Permit; -Foreign residents who have departed on or after April 1st, 2022, and will be returning within the 1-year allowance (2 years for permanent residents); -Nationals of Suriname, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, Finland, and Chile.
Ministry of Justice Republic of Korea Last checked 2026-07-17
Required
Travelers require a passport valid at the time of entry
Travelers need a valid passport to enter South Korea. The traveler's passport must be valid when the traveler arrives in South Korea.
Government for Foreigners-Hi Korea Last checked 2026-07-17
May be required
South Korea e-Arrival Card may be required before arrival
Travelers without a Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) must complete an e-Arrival Card Travel Declaration form a maximum of 3 days before traveling to South Korea. Travelers with an ETA are not required to complete an e-Arrival Card before traveling to South Korea.
- The e-Arrival Card requirement does not apply to: -Travelers with a valid ETA; -Registered residents in South Korea (including Permanent Resident Card and Overseas Korean Resident Card holders); -Citizens of the Republic of Korea; -Group (electronic) visa holders; -Visa-free group tourists at Yangyang/Muan International Airport (MWX).
South Korea e-Arrival Card Last checked 2026-07-17
May be required
You may need a permit for certain prescription medication
Travelers with prescriptions for controlled substances such as amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine), opiates (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Codeine), or benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin), must submit a written application to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) before traveling and receive approval in order to travel with these medications. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) will review applications within 10 business days. Please see the source for more details.
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea Last checked 2026-07-17
Recommended
Recommended vaccinations for South Korea
Travelers should consider: -Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines; -Typhoid vaccine for visits to smaller cities or rural areas; -Routine vaccines including Measles; -Japanese Encephalitis vaccine for extended stays or rural activities (not recommended for short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese Encephalitis season). Additional vaccine recommendations may apply. Consult your healthcare provider and check the source for details.
CDC - South Korea Last checked 2026-07-17
Not required
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required for South Korea
Travelers don’t need proof of COVID-19 vaccination before traveling to South Korea.
Last checked 2026-07-17
Not required
Proof of pre-departure COVID-19 test is not required
Travelers don’t need a COVID-19 test before traveling to South Korea.
Last checked 2026-07-17
May be required
Electronic travel authorization may be required for transit
International travelers don’t need travel authorization to transit through South Korea if they stay within the airport’s international transit area. Different requirements apply to travelers who need to pass through immigration control to claim their baggage or check in for their next flight. These travelers are required to obtain a Korean Electronic travel authorization (K-ETA). Travelers can submit the ETA application online. Once the application is approved, travelers receive their ETA confirmation electronically. An ETA is electronically linked to a passport and valid for up to 2 years. If travelers receive a new passport, they must apply for a new ETA.
Last checked 2026-07-17
May be required
Entry requirements for traveling with pets (dogs and cats)
Travelers bringing pets (dogs and cats) into South Korea must ensure they are implanted with an ISO-compliant microchip and accompanied by a government-issued health certificate stating the microchip number. Pets aged 90 days or older from non-rabies-free countries must also pass a rabies neutralising antibody titer test with a minimum result of 0.5 IU/ml, valid for up to 24 months from the blood draw. The test results must be included on the health certificate. The traveler must bring their own scanner if the pet's microchip is not ISO-compliant. The traveler must submit an advance notification to the APQA to get prior approval for quarantine facilities if bringing 10 or more pets. The traveler must ensure that cats from Australia, and dogs or cats from Malaysia, have a Hendra and Nipah virus-free certificate, or they will face a mandatory 21-day quarantine. Airlines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets (dogs and cats). Check with your airline to determine airline-specific requirements, and the government source for more details.
- This requirement doesn't apply to the following travelers: -Traveler with pets under 90 days of age are exempt from vaccination and titer test requirements. -Traveler with pets originating from countries designated as rabies-free by QIA, who are exempt from the rabies vaccination and antibody test requirements.
South Korea - Pet Import Requirements Last checked 2026-07-17