South Korea entry requirements for Switzerland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Swiss passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. This policy has been stable for years and continues in 2026. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your entry date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Swiss passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in South Korea. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Korean immigration, but some airlines may ask for 6 months validity — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from South Korea | Immigration officers at Incheon and Gimpo routinely ask for a return or onward ticket before granting visa-free entry. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound flight booking ready — they will check the date matches your 90-day limit. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | You may be asked where you're staying during the entry interview. A hotel confirmation email or a letter from your host with their address and phone number is sufficient. Keep a copy on your phone or printed. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient money for your stay | Officers rarely ask for bank statements for Swiss passport holders, but having access to at least 1,000,000 KRW (roughly 700 CHF) for a short trip shows you can support yourself. A credit card and some cash in won is fine. | Recommended |
| K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) Optional pre-registration for faster entry | South Korea reinstated the K-ETA for visa-free travellers in 2024, but it's currently optional for Swiss passport holders. If you apply, do it at visa.go.kr — it costs 10,000 KRW and is valid for 2 years. Without it, you just fill in the paper arrival card on the plane.Apply for K-ETA | Optional |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter South Korea. Airlines check this before boarding. If your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding — no exceptions.
Keep your departure card safe
When you arrive, you'll receive a departure card. Keep it with your passport — you'll need to hand it in when you leave. Losing it means extra paperwork at the airport.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Incheon or other international airport
You'll go through immigration at Incheon (Seoul), Gimhae (Busan), or Jeju. Follow signs for 'Foreign Passports' — there are separate queues for Koreans and foreigners.
2
Present your passport and boarding pass
Hand over your passport and boarding pass. The officer may ask your purpose of visit, how long you're staying, and where you're staying. Answer briefly and honestly.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with a 90-day visa-free entry. Check the stamp says '90 days' before walking away. If it says less, ask for correction.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, pick up your bags from the carousel and walk through customs. Green channel if you have nothing to declare, red if you have goods over $800 or restricted items.
Download South Korea Entry Checklist
PDF · Switzerland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, not extendable
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost40,000 KRW (~$30 USD)
For those who want a longer stay than visa-free allows. Must apply at Korean embassy before travel.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost90,000 KRW (~$68 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers. Requires proof of previous travel or ties to home country.
Work visa (E-7)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost80,000 KRW (~$60 USD)
For skilled professionals with a job offer in South Korea. Requires employer sponsorship.
Student visa (D-2)
Max stayUp to 2 years, renewable
ValidityDuration of study program
Cost60,000 KRW (~$45 USD)
For those enrolled in a Korean educational institution. Requires admission letter and proof of funds.
work visa
E-7 Work Visa
1 year, renewable
80,000 KRW (~$60 USD) application fee
For skilled professionals with a job offer in South Korea. Requires employer sponsorship and proof of qualifications. Allows long-term residence and family accompaniment.
student visa
D-2 Student Visa
Up to 2 years, renewable
60,000 KRW (~$45 USD) application fee
For those enrolled in a Korean university or language program. Requires admission letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
D-8 Investor Visa
1 year, renewable
80,000 KRW (~$60 USD) application fee
For foreign investors who invest at least 100 million KRW (~$75,000 USD) in a Korean business. Requires business plan and proof of investment.
long term resident
F-2 Residence Visa
3 years, renewable
100,000 KRW (~$75 USD) application fee
For long-term residents with points-based system. Requires high income, Korean language proficiency, and cultural integration. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)Mandatory pre-arrival authorization for visa-free travel. Apply online at least 72 hours before departure. | 10,000 KRW (~$7.50 USD) |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For those who need a visa or want a longer stay. Valid for 90 days from issue. | 40,000 KRW (~$30 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within 1 year, each stay up to 90 days. | 90,000 KRW (~$68 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayFine varies by duration; maximum cap may apply. Overstay can lead to deportation and entry ban. | 100,000–200,000 KRW per day (~$75–$150 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through South Korea
No transit visa needed
Swiss passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in South Korea, provided they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa or K-ETA may be required.
- Holders of US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Schengen visas may transit without K-ETA for up to 30 days.
Transit hubsIncheon International Airport (ICN) · Gimpo International Airport (GMP) · Jeju International Airport (CJU)
Health & vaccines for South Korea
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)EssentialJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Air pollutionModerate risk
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can be high in urban areas, especially during winter and spring.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard hygiene is good, but travellers should avoid undercooked meat and street food if sensitive.
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare in tourists; risk in rural/forested areas during spring and summer.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Seoul
Seoul Immigration Office
319, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Main office for visa extensions and re-entry permits. Arrive early to avoid long queues.
Busan
Busan Immigration Office
100, Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Handles visa-related issues for the southern region. Bring all required documents.
Practical information for CH travellers
Country basics
CapitalSeoul
LanguageKorean
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceIDP required alongside US license.
Money
CurrencySouth Korean Won (KRW)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1,494.42 KRW
Time zone
Local timeUTC+9
vs New York+14h (EST) / +13h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+17h (PST) / +16h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage220V / 60Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe to drink. Most Koreans prefer filtered water.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to South Korea — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The 90-day visa-free entry is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must apply for a different visa (e.g., tourist visa extension or long-stay visa) before your 90 days expire. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban.
You'll be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month validity is strictly enforced.
Not typically for Swiss passport holders. But if the officer suspects you might overstay or work illegally, they can ask. Having a credit card and a few hundred dollars in cash is a good safety net.
No. The visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, or short visits only. Remote work for a foreign employer is technically not allowed. If you plan to work remotely for an extended period, consider a digital nomad visa (if available) or a work visa.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll face a fine (typically around 100,000–200,000 KRW per day overstayed) and may be banned from re-entering South Korea for a period. Always leave before your stamp expires.
Yes. You'll be given an arrival card on the plane or at the airport. Fill it out with your flight number, passport details, and accommodation address. Keep the departure card portion safe — you'll hand it in when you leave.
Yes, Swiss passport holders can enter Jeju Island visa-free for up to 30 days. But if you then travel to the mainland, you'll need the standard 90-day visa-free entry (which you already have). Just be aware of the 30-day limit on Jeju if you stay only there.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.