Notice Regarding Ministry of Justice Electronic Arrival Card System Error
Summary
The Korean Ministry of Justice announces that the E-Arrival Card system is fully operational again as of September 29, 2025, following a temporary disruption caused by a fire at KIRS. Chinese group tourists entering visa-free are not required to submit the E-Arrival Card, and the Ministry is committed to enhanced border security.
Korea’s E-Arrival Card System Fully Operational
The E-Arrival Card System in Korea is currently operating without any disruption. Previously, a fire at the Korea Information Resources Service (KIRS) in Daejeon temporarily made it impossible for applicants to enter their intended address of stay in Korea.
In response, the Ministry of Justice took proactive measures to minimize inconvenience. Immigration officers at entry counters manually checked and entered the address information when applicants were unable to input it themselves.
As of September 29, 2025, address data services at KIRS have been restored, and the E-Arrival Card System has returned to normal operation.
Please note that Chinese group tourists visiting under the recent visa-free entry scheme are not required to submit an E-Arrival Card. This entry is unrelated to the recent system issues. Under the visa-free scheme, individuals deemed to pose potential security risks are excluded from entry.
The Ministry of Justice remains committed to strengthening border security by enhancing identity verification procedures and conducting thorough immigration screening for all inbound passengers.
Source: Korea Immigration Service (immigration.go.kr) • Published: September 30, 2025
Content provided under Korea Open Government License (공공누리).