How to Fill Out the Korea e-Arrival Card Online: A Quick Guide

Since South Korea consolidated its paper arrival card and health questionnaire into a single digital system, the process has genuinely improved — but only if you know exactly what you’re doing. In 2026, travelers who show up at Incheon Airport without a pre-submitted Q-Code still get processed, but they join a noticeably slower manual lane while everyone else walks through in minutes. This guide covers every field on the form, what changed recently, and what to have ready before you sit down to fill it out.

What the Korea e-Arrival Card Actually Is

The Korea e-Arrival Card is not a separate app or standalone document. It is one component of the Q-Code system (official name: Quarantine-COVID19 defense), which is the Korean government’s integrated pre-arrival platform. When you complete a Q-Code submission, you are simultaneously filling out three things that used to be separate paper forms:

• The traditional Arrival Card (passport details, flight info, accommodation address)
• The Health Questionnaire (symptoms, travel history, vaccination status)
• The Customs Declaration (currency, alcohol, tobacco, restricted goods)

All three are bundled into one submission. The result is a single QR code that immigration officers, health screeners, and customs officers all scan from the same image. For anyone entering South Korea in 2026 — regardless of nationality, visa type, or K-ETA status — this submission is mandatory. Pre-filling it online before your flight is not required, but it makes an obvious practical difference.

What You Need Before You Start Filling It Out

Sitting down mid-flight to complete this with patchy Wi-Fi is a bad idea. Gather the following before you open the website or app:

• Your passport — you need the exact number, expiry date, and issuing country as printed on the document
• Your flight details — airline name, flight number, departure country, departure city, and arrival date
• Your accommodation address in Korea — the full street address of your hotel, guesthouse, or host’s home. A hotel name alone is not enough; have the Korean address ready (your booking confirmation usually includes it)
• A working email address — your QR code is sent here
• Your travel history for the past 10–14 days — any countries you transited through count

The Q-Code form can be completed up to three days before your arrival date. Do not submit it earlier than that window or the system may reject it.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Q-Code Form Online

The official platform is at qcode.kdca.go.kr. The mobile app works identically. Here is every step in order:

1. Open the site or app and select your language. English, Chinese, Japanese, and several other languages are available from the first screen.
2. Click “Enter Q-code for Quarantine Information” to begin a new submission.
3. Agree to the terms. You must accept the privacy policy and consent to personal data collection before proceeding.
4. Enter passport information. Select your nationality, enter your passport number exactly as printed, and confirm your passport type (Regular, Official, or Diplomatic). The system will attempt to auto-retrieve some data — if it does not, enter everything manually.
5. Enter personal information. Fill in your full name (matching the passport exactly), date of birth in YYYY-MM-DD format, gender, and email address. For the Korean contact number, if you do not have a local SIM yet, enter your hotel’s phone number — you can find it on your booking confirmation.
6. Enter your Korea accommodation address. Use the full address including street name, district, and city. For Seoul hotels this typically looks like: [Hotel Name], [Street Address], [Gu/District], Seoul.
7. Enter flight information. Input your arrival date, airline name, flight number, departure country, and departure city. Double-check the flight number — this is one of the most common errors.
8. Complete the health questionnaire. List every country you visited or transited in the past 10–14 days. Answer the symptom questions honestly: fever, cough, sore throat, and respiratory difficulty are all asked individually. If asked about vaccination status, provide it — while it does not block entry, it can affect the speed of health screening.
9. Complete the customs declaration. Declare whether you are carrying: cash or monetary instruments exceeding KRW 10,000,000 (approximately USD 7,400); alcohol over 1 litre and/or valued over USD 400; more than 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco; any goods for commercial sale; or prohibited/restricted items such as certain foods, plants, or controlled substances. If none of these apply, select “No” for each category.
10. Review every field carefully, then submit. The system does not give you an easy way to edit after submission, so take two minutes here to check names, numbers, and dates.
11. Save your QR code. After submission, a QR code is generated and sent to your email. Screenshot it immediately and save it to your camera roll. You will need it even without an internet connection at the airport.

Your QR Code: What to Do With It After Submission

The QR code is the physical proof of your submission. Here is how to handle it properly:

• Screenshot and save offline. Do not rely on opening your email at immigration — airport Wi-Fi at Incheon is reliable, but boarding-gate situations vary. A saved image in your photos requires zero connectivity.
• Print a backup if you prefer. The paper copy works exactly the same as the digital one — officers scan either version without preference.
• For families: Each traveler needs their own individual QR code, including children. Submit a separate form for every passport holder in your group. The system does not currently allow family group submissions under one code.
• Do not edit or resubmit unless something is genuinely wrong. If you entered a wrong flight number, you can submit a new form — the most recent valid submission is what immigration will use.

At the Airport: What Happens When They Scan Your Code

Walking through Incheon’s immigration hall with a pre-submitted Q-Code has a noticeably different rhythm to it. The first thing you hear after stepping off the jet bridge is the low hum of the terminal’s climate systems — cool, dry air that feels almost pressurized after a long flight. By the time you reach the immigration counters, if you have your QR code ready on your lock screen, the interaction is brief.

Here is the sequence at Korean international airports including Incheon (ICN), Gimpo (GMP), and Busan Gimhae (PUS):

1. Immigration counter: Hand over your passport and show your QR code. The officer scans it, verifies your face against the passport photo, and may ask one or two questions about your purpose of visit and intended length of stay. The scan pulls up all your arrival and health data instantly.
2. Health screening: For travelers who declared no symptoms, this is typically a brief thermal camera pass or a quick visual check. If you submitted your Q-Code in advance with a clean health declaration, you will not be stopped for manual screening under normal circumstances. If you declared symptoms or skipped the Q-Code, expect to be directed to a separate screening area — this adds a significant wait.
3. Baggage claim: Standard process — no Q-Code involvement here.
4. Customs: After collecting your luggage, present the same QR code again at the customs checkpoint. If you declared nothing, you may be waved through or directed to a green lane. If you declared items, an officer will check them.

Travelers from certain nationalities may also be eligible to use Smart Entry Service automated gates at Incheon — these scan your fingerprints and face, bypassing the staffed counter entirely. Eligibility in 2026 depends on your nationality and visa category; check with the Korean Immigration Service before arrival if you want to confirm whether your passport qualifies.

2026 Budget Reality: Costs Involved in Korea Entry Documents

Understanding what costs what saves confusion at the application stage:

• Q-Code submission (e-Arrival Card + health declaration + customs declaration): Free. There is no fee at any stage of the Q-Code process.
• K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): KRW 10,000 per person (approximately USD 7.40 at 2026 exchange rates). This is a one-time fee valid for three years from approval, with multiple entries allowed. Apply only through the official site at www.k-eta.go.kr — third-party services charge significantly more for the same result.
• Visa (short-term C-3): Fees vary by nationality and issuing consulate, typically in the range of USD 40–80. Check your nearest Korean embassy for exact figures.
• K-ETA exemptions in 2026: The temporary K-ETA exemption introduced in early 2024 for 22 countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and others — was initially set to expire December 31, 2024. Verify the current status at www.k-eta.go.kr before travel, as the Korean government has the option to extend, modify, or end the exemption at any time. If your country is on the exemption list and it remains active, you pay nothing for K-ETA and skip that application entirely.

The Q-Code itself costs nothing regardless of your visa situation, nationality, or travel purpose. Budget travelers and business travelers fill out the exact same free form.

Common Mistakes That Slow People Down at Immigration

These are the errors that consistently send travelers to secondary processing or cause delays at the counter:

• Wrong flight number: Airlines use different codes for the same physical flight (operating carrier vs. marketing carrier on codeshares). Use the flight number printed on your boarding pass, not the one from a booking confirmation that may show a partner airline’s code.
• Incomplete accommodation address: Writing “Myeongdong hotel” is not a valid entry. Immigration officers expect a full street address. If you are staying with a friend, use their complete home address.
• Submitting too early: The system only accepts submissions within three days of your arrival date. Submitting on day four before arrival means your code may be invalid by the time you land.
• Not saving the QR code offline: The airport has Wi-Fi, but hunting for your email in a queue while other passengers wait behind you is avoidable. Save the screenshot before you board.
• Skipping the customs section: Some travelers treat the customs questions as optional. They are not. Leaving them blank or incomplete flags your submission and can trigger a manual customs inspection even if you have nothing unusual to declare.
• Using a third-party Q-Code service: Several websites charge fees to submit the Q-Code on your behalf. This is unnecessary — the official system at qcode.kdca.go.kr is straightforward in English and costs nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Korea e-Arrival Card the same as the K-ETA?

No, they are completely separate. The K-ETA is a travel authorization that replaces a visa for eligible nationalities — you apply for it before booking, and it determines whether you are allowed to board a plane to Korea. The e-Arrival Card (Q-Code) is a pre-arrival form every foreign traveler must complete regardless of whether they hold a visa or K-ETA. You need both if K-ETA applies to you.

Can I fill out the Q-Code at the airport instead of online before my flight?

Yes, paper forms are available as a fallback at Korean airports. However, travelers who arrive without a pre-submitted Q-Code are directed to a separate, slower processing lane. During busy international arrival periods at Incheon, this can add 30–60 minutes to your immigration wait. Pre-filling online eliminates that delay entirely.

How far in advance can I submit the Q-Code?

The system accepts submissions up to three days before your scheduled arrival date in Korea. Submitting earlier than that window will result in rejection or an invalid code. Aim to complete it one to two days before your flight for a smooth process, making sure your flight details are confirmed before you start.

What happens if I make a mistake on the Q-Code form?

Submit a new form with the correct information. The immigration system uses the most recently submitted valid Q-Code linked to your passport number. There is no edit or correction function — you simply start a fresh submission. Make sure the corrected version is the one saved on your phone before you travel.

Do children need their own separate Q-Code submission?

Yes. Every individual traveler, including infants and children, requires a separate Q-Code submission tied to their own passport. A parent or guardian can complete the form on behalf of a minor, but each child’s passport details must be entered individually. There is no family group option within the current Q-Code system as of 2026.

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📷 Featured image by Young_Soo Yoo on Unsplash.