South Korea's Ministry of Justice has announced the immigration wait times during peak season for countries eligible for smart entry gate access, as the government expands the program to 42 countries and regions to ease congestion at entry points.
Expansion of Smart Entry Gate Eligibility
The South Korean government has broadened its smart entry gate system to include a total of 42 countries and regions. The newly added nations feature strong representation from Europe, including Canada, Switzerland, Greece, Slovenia, Poland, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Latvia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Luxembourg, Romania, Croatia, Spain, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Cyprus.
Countries and regions that already had access to the smart entry gates include Germany, Japan, France, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao, among others. The expansion aims to reduce lengthy immigration queues that have frustrated international visitors.
Peak Season Wait Times and Congestion
The announcement revealed that peak season immigration wait times had climbed to as long as 49 minutes in 2025. The ministry cited a surge in international arrivals as the primary driver of congestion at South Korean entry points.
Smart entry gates allow eligible international visitors to clear immigration more quickly through automated processing, bypassing the standard queues that have contributed to extended wait times during busy travel periods.
Impact on Travellers and Future Steps
The South Korean government framed the expansion as part of a broader effort to improve the overall arrival experience for foreign visitors as tourism to the country continues to grow. By broadening access to the automated system, authorities hope to reduce pressure on traditional immigration counters, particularly during peak travel seasons when the 49-minute wait times were recorded.
Travellers from newly added countries planning a visit to South Korea should confirm their eligibility through official channels before arrival.
In a similar report, Legit.ng published that South Korea announced 30 countries whose citizens can apply for H-1 Working Holiday Visa. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that South Korea published a list of 116 countries and territories whose citizens can use the K-ETA system instead of applying for a traditional visa. The list includes eight African countries, such as South Africa, Morocco, Mauritius and Seychelles.
For eligible travellers, the electronic authorisation could make visiting South Korea simpler by removing the need for a standard visa application. But citizens of countries left off the list must still apply through the usual consular channels before travelling.
