Travel Rules for Minors in South Korea: what actually matters to know
Short answer
Minors under 18 are exempt from K-ETA and can enter South Korea by completing an arrival card. Unaccompanied minors must obtain prior parental consent for hotel check-ins, while children can access reduced transportation fares by registering their passport at T-money counters.
From real experience
Rules for minors (under 18) traveling to South Korea: 1. Minors are exempt from the K-ETA requirement.
2. South Korean immigration does not restrict entry based on minor status, but the home country's parental exit consent is required. 3. Unaccompanied minors will face severe difficulties booking and checking into hotels in South Korea. It is mandatory to contact the accommodation in advance to provide parental consent forms.
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When a single adult travels to South Korea with children, the adult typically requires a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization), while the children may need to complete an Arrival Card.
This distinction in documentation is common for entry into South Korea.
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Children under 18 do not require a K-ETA and can enter South Korea by filling out an arrival card.
They can be listed as accompanying individuals on an adult's K-ETA application. For transportation cards (T-money), children can be registered for youth or child tariffs by presenting their passport at the T-money top-up counter. Children under 6 years old travel for free with a transportation card.