South Korea Strengthens Post-Pandemic Tourism Recovery By Extending K-ETA Waiver For Singapore Citizens Until 2026 Fostering Robust Travel Growth and Accessibility

Published on December 25, 2025

South Korea is strengthening its post-pandemic tourism recovery by extending the K-ETA waiver for Singaporean citizens until 2026, a strategic move that aims to foster robust travel growth and enhance accessibility. The extension makes entry easier for Singaporeans by eliminating the requirement for pre-departure authorization, which promotes more frequent travel and increases the flow of tourists between the two countries. This choice facilitates a smooth travel experience that supports sustained tourism growth and makes Southeast Asian travelers’ destinations more accessible. It also streamlines the entry process and supports the expanding air connectivity between Singapore and South Korea.

South Korea has officially extended the waiver on the Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) requirement for Singaporean visitors, ensuring that travelers from Singapore will continue to enjoy hassle-free entry into the country until December 31, 2026. This move is part of a broader initiative aimed at sustaining South Korea’s inbound tourism growth in the post-pandemic era.

The extended waiver has been framed as a strategy to further stimulate tourism demand while minimizing travel barriers. It comes as air travel between Singapore and South Korea is witnessing a significant rebound, with more direct flights operating between the two nations than ever before. The decision aligns with South Korea’s efforts to simplify the entry process for international tourists and enhance the accessibility of the destination for travelers, particularly those from Southeast Asia.

What Does the Waiver Mean for Travelers?

With the extension of the K-ETA waiver, Singaporean citizens can continue entering South Korea without needing to apply for a K-ETA, which was initially introduced in 2021 as a pre-departure screening measure for visa-free travelers. This decision effectively eliminates the need for an online application for eligible Singaporean visitors until 2026.

Prior to this extension, the waiver was set to expire at the end of 2025. However, the announcement of an additional year provides travelers with added flexibility and ensures that Singaporeans can travel to South Korea without dealing with the time-consuming application process for the K-ETA.

Singapore is among 22 countries whose nationals benefit from this exemption, including Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European nations. While this formal list includes only certain countries, many other visa-exempt jurisdictions are also indirectly benefiting from this policy extension.

Streamlined Entry Process for Singaporean Travelers

For Singaporean visitors entering South Korea during the waiver period, the process has been simplified further. Instead of filling out the online application for a K-ETA, travelers are only required to complete a standard arrival card upon arrival. This change reduces the administrative burden and ensures a faster and smoother entry process.

However, travelers who already hold a valid K-ETA can continue using their existing approval until it expires. Those with a valid K-ETA will still be able to skip the arrival card process, as it remains the only difference in entry formalities during this waiver period.

It is important to note that travelers who applied for a K-ETA before the extension was announced will not be entitled to a refund, even if they qualify for the new exemption.

Business Travelers and APEC Card Holders

Business travelers holding an APEC Business Travel Card will not be impacted by the K-ETA waiver, as they already enjoy visa-free entry privileges to South Korea. This exemption ensures that business professionals can continue to enter South Korea seamlessly without any additional requirements.

End of Pandemic-era Entry Systems

In addition to the K-ETA waiver, South Korea has also done away with all remaining pandemic-related entry procedures. The elimination of the Q-code health declaration system in mid-2023 has brought South Korea’s entry process back to pre-2020 standards for most international travelers. This move has been a significant step in ensuring that South Korea remains an accessible and attractive destination for tourists, with entry processes returning to normalcy.

Impact on Air Travel and Connectivity

The extended K-ETA waiver comes at a time when air connectivity between Singapore and South Korea is at an all-time high. Currently, nearly 100 weekly nonstop flights operate between the two countries, reflecting a significant recovery in air travel from pre-pandemic levels. This is an increase of over 50 percent from the 64 weekly flights available before 2020.

This growth in flight frequency is supported by both full-service airlines and low-cost carriers, providing travelers with a wide range of options to reach South Korea. The increase in flights has resulted in greater flexibility for travelers, making it easier to find convenient travel times and competitive fares.

Moreover, travelers aged 17 and above from Singapore can now enjoy automated immigration clearance at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport. After completing a one-time enrollment, eligible passengers can use electronic gates for all future visits with the same passport, further streamlining the arrival process and enhancing convenience.

South Korea as an Accessible Destination for Southeast Asia

This combination of simplified entry procedures, increased flight capacity, and advanced automated systems has positioned South Korea as one of the most accessible destinations in East Asia for travelers from Southeast Asia. The ability to enter South Korea without a pre-departure application for the K-ETA, along with the ease of immigration procedures, has made the country an increasingly popular choice for both leisure and business travelers.

The extended waiver will likely play a significant role in driving even more tourism growth between Singapore and South Korea, fostering stronger bilateral ties and further contributing to South Korea’s post-pandemic tourism recovery.

The Road Ahead

With the K-ETA waiver now extended through 2026, Singaporean travelers can continue to explore South Korea’s dynamic tourism offerings without any entry barriers. Whether for business, leisure, or cultural exchange, the extension of this policy is expected to provide an added boost to the already vibrant travel market between the two nations.

South Korea is extending the K-ETA waiver for Singaporean citizens until 2026, enhancing accessibility and fostering robust tourism growth by simplifying entry and supporting increased air connectivity between the two countries.

As South Korea continues to recover and adapt to the evolving global travel landscape, initiatives like the K-ETA waiver will remain vital in keeping the country attractive to international visitors. With a simplified entry process, record-breaking flight frequency, and cutting-edge immigration technology, South Korea is poised to remain a top destination for travelers from Singapore and beyond for years to come.