# Arriving in Korea in 2026: e-Arrival Card, K-ETA and Your First Steps > Korea entry went digital in 2026: the e-Arrival Card replaced paper forms. Who needs K-ETA, what happens at immigration, and your first steps after landing. Canonical: https://setkora.com/guides/korea-arrival-2026-entry-guide (also in 13 languages: https://setkora.com/guides//korea-arrival-2026-entry-guide) If you are flying to Korea in 2026 — for a semester, a job, or a new chapter — the entry process looks different from what older blog posts describe. The paper arrival card you may have seen in videos has been retired, and entry declarations are now submitted digitally. This guide walks you through what to prepare before your flight, what happens at the airport, and the first steps that make your new life run smoothly. Entry rules change and differ by nationality and visa type, so always confirm the specifics on the official government sites before you travel. ## Before you fly: visa, K-ETA and the e-Arrival Card Three things to sort out before boarding. First, **your visa** — if you are coming to study or work, your visa is arranged before travel through a Korean embassy or consulate. Second, **K-ETA** (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) — this applies to visa-free visitors from eligible countries. A temporary K-ETA exemption for a group of countries has been widely reported as extended through the end of 2026, but eligibility lists change — **check the official K-ETA website for your nationality before you book**. Third, and this is the 2026 change: the **e-Arrival Card**. Since early 2026, Korea has replaced the paper arrival form with a digital arrival declaration that travelers submit online around the time of travel. Submitting it in advance means less to fumble with on the plane. Check the official e-Arrival / immigration website for the current submission window and exemptions. ## At the airport: what actually happens Immigration at Incheon and other international airports is straightforward when your paperwork is ready: passport check, fingerprints and a photo for most adult foreign nationals, and any questions about your stay. After baggage claim you will pass customs — if you have nothing to declare, follow the green channel. Before leaving the terminal, two practical stops are worth it: a **SIM card counter** (a prepaid SIM needs only your passport and gives you the Korean phone number that later sign-ups will ask for) and a **T-money transportation card**, sold at convenience stores in the arrivals area. ## Your first 90 days: the ARC is the key that opens everything If you are staying beyond a short visit on a long-term visa, your single most important task is applying for the **Alien Registration Card (ARC)**. Postpaid phone plans, most banking, home internet contracts — nearly everything asks for it. Book your appointment at your local immigration office through the official **Hi Korea** website as early as you can; slots fill up fast at the start of each semester, and processing can take weeks in busy seasons. Until it arrives, your passport and a prepaid SIM cover daily life. For the full week-by-week plan, see our [first month settling-in checklist](https://setkora.com/guides/first-month-in-korea-settling-checklist). ## Health insurance: know your enrollment path Korea's National Health Insurance (NHIS) covers foreign residents, but **how and when you are enrolled depends on your visa**. Employees are typically enrolled through their employer, degree students are handled under student enrollment rules, and other long-term residents are enrolled after a residency period. The rules differ by visa type and change over time, so confirm your own case with NHIS or your school or employer rather than relying on second-hand summaries. ## Setting up your home without the big upfront spend Once you have a room, the empty-apartment problem arrives: fridge, washing machine, air conditioning, a bed. Buying everything at once is a heavy hit in your first month — and awkward to unwind when you leave. Renting monthly is the route many foreign residents take: delivery, installation and after-service are included, and you return everything at the end of your stay. You can [browse rentals in your own language](https://setkora.com/products) or [answer a few questions and get a shortlist in 30 seconds](https://setkora.com/finder). Eligibility depends on your remaining period of stay and is confirmed during the consultation — see [can foreigners rent appliances in Korea?](https://setkora.com/guides/can-foreigners-rent-appliances-korea-visa) for how that works. ## FAQ **Q: Do I still need to fill out a paper arrival card in 2026?** A: No — Korea retired the paper arrival card and moved to a digital arrival declaration (the e-Arrival Card) submitted online around the time of travel. Requirements and exemptions can change, so check the official immigration or e-Arrival website shortly before your trip. **Q: Do I need K-ETA if I already have a visa?** A: K-ETA is for visa-free entry. If you are traveling on a visa (for study, work or residence), K-ETA does not apply to you — but the digital arrival declaration still does. Confirm your case on the official K-ETA site. **Q: How soon should I apply for my ARC?** A: As early as possible after arrival. Appointments are booked through the official Hi Korea website, and processing can take several weeks during peak seasons like semester starts. Many services — postpaid phone plans, most banking, home internet — ask for the ARC. **Q: Can I rent appliances before my ARC is issued?** A: It depends on the rental provider and your situation — applications are generally tied to your registration and remaining period of stay. Leave a consultation request and the operator will confirm what is possible in your case, in your language.