The South Korea Guide

South Korea Opens Visa-Free Entry for Indonesian Tour Groups

· 2 min read Travel News
Seoul city skyline at dusk

Contents

  1. Who Qualifies
  2. Wider Visa and Entry Updates
  3. Planning Your Visit

South Korea’s Ministry of Justice has introduced visa-free entry for Indonesian tour groups, effective 28 May 2026 and running until 31 December 2026. Indonesian citizens travelling in groups of at least three people can now enter without obtaining a visa in advance — a direct response to surging demand from Southeast Asia’s largest country, fuelled by K-pop, K-drama, Korean cuisine, and beauty tourism.

Who Qualifies

The exemption covers Indonesian passport holders travelling as part of a group of three or more people. Standard entry conditions still apply: a valid passport, compliance with authorised length-of-stay limits, and immigration officers may request proof of onward travel. The scheme does not extend to individual Indonesian travellers, who continue to require a standard visa.

Wider Visa and Entry Updates

South Korea has extended the K-ETA exemption for eligible nationals through 31 December 2026. Citizens of 67 countries — including the US, UK, most EU nations, and Australia — remain exempt from the electronic travel authorisation requirement. From 1 January 2027, the K-ETA becomes mandatory for all currently exempt nationalities, including US passport holders, so travellers planning trips after that date should plan accordingly.

A key change already in effect: all foreign travellers not covered by K-ETA must now submit an e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival. Paper arrival forms were replaced entirely on 1 January 2026.

Planning Your Visit

Seoul anchors most itineraries, with temple stays, palace complexes, K-food markets, and shopping districts offering a range of experiences across all budgets. Jeju Island and Busan are popular additions for visits of a week or more.

Late May remains an excellent time to visit — temperatures are mild, cherry blossom season is over and crowds have thinned, and green hillsides make for good hiking conditions. For everything you need before your first trip, our first-time South Korea guide covers transport, currency, connectivity, and day-to-day navigation.

South Korea plans to review the Indonesian group exemption at year-end and may extend or expand the programme based on arrival data from the pilot period.