Inbound foreign visitors can submit an e-Arrival card up to three days before their arrival. Shown is the crowded departure hall at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap News)

By Xu Aiying

Foreign travelers to Korea can submit an arrival card online up to three days before entering the country via a computer or smartphone instead of using paper forms.

The Ministry of Justice said this in announcing the launch of the Korea Electronic Arrival Card, aka the e-Arrival card, on Feb. 24.

Foreign visitors on short-term stays of up to 90 days must declare entry to the country. The regulation is also applicable to those staying longer than that period if they have not completed their residence registration in Korea.

Exempt from entry declaration are holders of a valid K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization), those completing foreign residence registration, travelers on group (electronic) visas and airline crew.

Application for and submission of the e-Arrival card are available up to three days before arrival and until immigration inspection through the program's website (www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr) via PC or smartphone (QR codes available).

To minimize confusion in the initial phase of the new system, the ministry will also allow paper-based arrival cards this year.

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