South Korea has officially released its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) list, naming eight African countries whose citizens can enter the country without a traditional visa. The permitted stay periods range from 30 to 90 days, depending on the applicant's nationality, according to the announcement published by Legit.ng on September 21, 2026.
Botswana received the longest permitted stay of 90 days, tying with Morocco, while Eswatini, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tunisia were each granted 30 days. Lesotho was allotted 60 days. This development marks a significant shift in South Korea's visa policy for African travellers, offering a more accessible route for eligible nationals.
Breakdown of ETA-Eligible African Countries and Stay Periods
The full list of African countries on South Korea's ETA system and their corresponding allowed periods of stay, as detailed in the official release, is as follows:
- Botswana: 90 days
- Eswatini: 30 days
- Lesotho: 60 days
- Mauritius: 30 days
- Morocco: 90 days
- Seychelles: 30 days
- South Africa: 30 days
- Tunisia: 30 days
According to the report, the K-ETA system allows eligible nationals to apply electronically for permission to travel to South Korea, eliminating the need to visit a consulate or embassy to obtain a visa before departure. This streamlined process is positioned as a more accessible route for citizens of the listed countries.
Implications for Non-Eligible African Nations
The majority of African nations are not on the eligibility list. Travellers from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia must still apply through conventional visa channels at South Korean diplomatic missions, the report confirmed. This exclusion underscores the selective nature of the ETA programme, which currently favours a small subset of African states.
The development is notable given the growing interest among African travellers in visiting East Asian destinations and South Korea's rising profile as a travel destination, driven in part by the global popularity of its music, film, and food culture, as noted in the source article.
Related Visa Updates and Broader Context
In a similar report, Legit.ng published that South Korea announced the waiting time for 42 countries eligible for smart entry gate access, highlighting the country's broader efforts to modernise entry procedures. Meanwhile, Germany announced its airport transit visa rules for citizens of nine African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia, requiring a Category A visa before stopping over at a German airport. Only five German airports have an International Transit Area where eligible passengers can remain without entering the Schengen area, and a missed visa requirement could disrupt a journey before the traveller reaches the final destination.
For African travellers, the ETA announcement provides a clear pathway for citizens of the eight listed countries, while others must continue to navigate traditional visa processes. The next step for eligible applicants is to submit an online application through the K-ETA portal, with approval granting stays of up to 90 days depending on nationality.
