Do American citizens need a visa for South Korea?

Passport

United States

Destination

South Korea

United States passport holders can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days.

Answer Visa-free 90 days

No visa needed

Entry requirement: Visa-free
Maximum stay: 90 days
Apply before travel: No
Last updated: February 2026

What United States passport holders need to do

Check your passport validity. Many countries ask for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
Be ready to show a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and proof of funds at the border.
Leave before the permitted stay ends. Working or studying usually needs a different visa.

United States is one of 62 passports in the “visa-free” group for South Korea. See the full South Korea visa requirements for every passport.

Other easy destinations in Asia for United States passport holders

South Korea is one of 116 destinations in the “visa-free” group for the United States passport, which ranks #9 worldwide with a mobility score of 159. Of 50 destinations in Asia, 37 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.

Destination	Requirement	Max stay
Armenia	Visa-free	180 days
Brunei	Visa-free	90 days
Georgia	Visa-free	360 days
Hong Kong	Visa-free	90 days
Israel	Visa-free	90 days
Japan	Visa-free	90 days
Kazakhstan	Visa-free	30 days
Kyrgyzstan	Visa-free	60 days
Macau	Visa-free	30 days
Malaysia	Visa-free	–
Mongolia	Visa-free	90 days
Palestine	Visa-free	–

All visa-free countries for the United States passport

Frequently asked questions

Do American citizens need a visa for South Korea?

United States passport holders can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days.

How long can United States passport holders stay in South Korea?

Up to 90 days without a visa.

Do South Korea citizens need a visa for the United States?

South Korea passport holders do not need a traditional visa for the United States, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before departure.

South Korea visa requirements for other passports

Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of South Korea before you book.