Visa Application Procedure

1. Complete registration and payment for the WMC 2026.

2. Check visa eligibility via the Visa Navigator on the Korea Visa Portal.
- Visa Navigator : [LINK]

3. After confirming through the Visa Navigator:
3-1. If eligible for B-1 (Visa Exemption): You can enter Korea without a visa under the Visa Waiver Agreement. However, please verify the allowed length of stay for your country.
3-2. If eligible for B-2 (Tourist / Transit General): You may enter Korea without a visa, but you must apply for K-ETA. Please check whether your nationality is exempt from K-ETA and verify your allowed length of stay.
3-3. If your country does not fall under B-1 or B-2, you must apply for a visa in advance.

4. If a visa is required, you must apply for a C-3-1 (Short-Term General Visa) for the purpose of participating in a non-official sport games.
※ Visa application procedures and required documents vary by country and by embassy/consulate. You must contact your local Korean embassy/consulate for exact information.
※ The term 'non-official sport games' refers to sporting events that do not offer prize money.

5. Invitation letters required for visa issuance will be provided by the Organizing Committee, but only to participants who have completed registration and payment.
※ When requesting an invitation letter required for visa issuance, please ensure that you attach the payment confirmation voucher (issued by the Organizing Committee after payment is completed) and a photo copy of your passport, along with your invitation request message, and send them to visa@gangneung2026.com

6. Visit the Korean embassy/consulate in your country, apply for the visa, and pay the application fee.

7. Visa application review and issuance process begins.

8. Visa issuance.

Important Notes
ㆍPlease make sure to contact the Korean embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over your country first regarding any inquiries related to visas or K-ETA.
ㆍAll foreign nationals entering the Republic of Korea must submit an Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival Card).
- This can be submitted starting 3 days before entry (based on Korean Standard Time).
- Those with valid K-ETA are exempt from this requirement.

Visa

Please check whether you need to apply for a visa according to your nationality, country of residence, purpose of visit, and length of stay via the following link.
• Visa Navigator: [LINK]

All foreign nationals entering the Republic of Korea must possess a passport valid for at least six months and must obtain a visa prior to entry.

If a visa is required, please note that visa application procedures and requirements vary depending on the embassy or consulate of each country. Therefore, you must contact your local Korean embassy or consulate in advance.

The Organizing Committee can provide an official invitation letter necessary for visa application. However, the invitation letter will only be issued to those who have completed both registration and payment.

Therefore, please ensure that you complete both registration and payment before requesting the invitation letter. In order to ensure smooth visa processing, please request the invitation letter at least one month before the event.

While the Organizing Committee will provide full support for visa issuance, it does not take responsibility for the final visa decision made by the embassy. Regardless of visa status, Korean immigration authorities may recheck relevant documents upon arrival, so please be prepared accordingly.

If you have any questions regarding visas, please contact us at visa@gangneung2026.com

※ When requesting an invitation letter required for visa issuance, please ensure that you attach the payment confirmation voucher (issued by the Organizing Committee after payment is completed) and a photo copy of your passport, along with your invitation request message, and send them to visa@gangneung2026.com

K-ETA

K-ETA is and electronic travel authorization that visa-free foreign visitors need to obtain before entering Korea by submitting relevant information such as their travel information. Nationals of countries eligible for visa-free entry are required to get K-ETA approval to board the flight or ship bound for Korea. Please keep in mind that K-ETA assessment can take more than 72 hours, therefore apply your visa with sufficient time.

K-ETA Application Guide

[1] Nationals eligible for K-ETA, who wish to enter the Republic of Korea without a visa, must obtain K-ETA approval before boarding the flight or ship. Applying for K-ETA after boarding or while already in Korea may result in disadvantages, such as refusal of K-ETA approval or entry restrictions.
[2] The K-ETA fee is 10,000 KRW (approximately USD $7~8, Online Payment Fee is Charged Separately) and is non-refundable, even if the application is denied.
[3] K-ETA assessment typically takes 72 hour or less. However, please note that it may take more than 72 hours due to an unexpected increase in applications or other circumstances. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received, and there is no expedited service to speed up processing for specific applications.
[4] You can use K-ETA multiple times within the validity period.
* Validity Period: 3 Years (if the passport expiration date is shorter than 3 years, valid until the passport expiration date) However, the validity period of K-ETA is separate from the visa-free stay period, so if you enter the country with a K-ETA, you cannot stay longer than the visa-free stay period for each country. The visa-free stay period for a single entry varies by country, so please refer to the [Countries/Targets Available for Application] page.
[5] K-ETA approval will be refused or canceled if false or inaccurate information is submitted on the application. The individual may also be subject to penalties or entry restrictions according to relevant Korean laws. These restrictions apply equally to all accompanying applicants, including the user.
[6] K-ETA is NOT a visa and only fulfills some of the requirements for entering the Republic of Korea without a visa. Please note that an approved K-ETA does not guarantee entry into the Republic of Korea. The final decision will be made by a Korea Immigration Service officer at the port of entry.
[7] Those with K-ETA approval can pass through entry immigration more conveniently, as they will be exempt from submitting the arrival card when entering the Republic of Korea.
[8] Even if your K-ETA has not expired, you must apply for a new K-ETA if your passport has been reissued or if there are changes to your criminal record or infectious disease information.
[9] If the [Travel Information*] changes after obtaining K-ETA, you must update it on the [Update Travel Information] page of the K-ETA website. Failure to do so may result in entry denial or other disadvantages.
* Travel information: Purpose of entry, address of intended stay, contact information, expected date of arrival and departure, information on accompanying persons
[10] If you hold both K-ETA and a valid Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card) when you enter South Korea, you are firstly granted the status of stay and period of stay according to your Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card). Based on the Article 37-1 of the Immigration Control Act, you can enter the country via K-ETA only if you had returned your Residence Card (or Overseas Korean Resident Card) to the immigration control official when you exited South Korea in the past or if you return your card at the moment of entry. Please note that if you hold a valid visa, you are firstly granted the status of stay and period of stay according to your visa (regardless of your possessing K-ETA).


K-ETA Application Procedure


STEP 01
Terms and
Conditions
Agreement
→
STEP 02
Sign up
→
STEP 03
Enter Passport
Information
→
STEP 04
Enter Application
Information
→
STEP 05
Check Information
→
STEP 06
Make Payment
→
STEP 07
Application Complete

※ Only nationals of visa-free countries are eligible to apply. Even with K-ETA approval, immigration officers may request additional documents upon arrival.
※ For application and further details, please visit the official K-ETA website.

• Information related to K-ETA: [LINK]
• K-ETA official homepage: [LINK]

e-Arrival Card Information

All foreign nationals entering the Republic of Korea must complete and submit an Electronic Arrival Card (e-Arrival Card). Please check the procedures and application method through the link and video below before submitting your application.

• e-Arrival Card: [LINK]
• Korea's e-Arrival Card Will Make Your Immigration Process Faster and Easier! : [LINK]

Q-code Guide

Anyone who has visited (stayed in or transited through) a key quarantine management area must submit a Q-CODE or health status questionnaire when entering the Republic of Korea. Please check the applicable countries and regions through the link and attached materials below and then apply.

• Q-CODE: [LINK]