How to Register for Smart Entry Service to Use Korea’s Immigration Autogate

When you visit Korea as a tourist (non-resident visitor), you could be allowed to use the immigration autogate just like the Korean citizens and registered foreigners. Clearing immigration through the autogate is undoubtedly more convenient and time-saving. In this article, we explain the criteria for eligibility and the registration process for enrollment into Korea’s automated immigration system as a foreign visitor.

What Is Korea’s Smart Entry Service?

Smart Entry Service is the Korean immigration lingo for automated immigration through unmanned immigration gate, which is often referred to as immigration autogate. When using Korean immigration autogate to enter Korea, a visitor will go through two-stage verification to clear the immigration process. The first stage is document verification, where the visitor scans his/her passport on the reader located at the first gate. Once the passport is verified, the first gate opens and visitor walks into the mantrap area to perform biometric verification through fingerprint scan and facial scan. Once the biometric check is completed, the second gate opens and the visitor can pass through the gate, indicating that the visitor has fully cleared immigration.

Smart Entry Service is available at major international airports and ports in Korea. When you enter Korea through any of the ports of entry below, you can use the expested immigration through Smart Entry Service:

• Incheon Airport
• Gimhae Airport
• Gimpo Airport
• Jeju Airport
• Daegu Airport
• Cheongju Airport
• Busan Port
• Incheon Port

Compared to manual immigration clearance, the automated immigration clearance through Smart Entry Service is often a substantial time-saver. As an example, when you enter Korea through Incheon Airport and proceed to go through the manual immigration process, it may take up to one hour to clear immigration. This is noticeable especially during morning busy hours. Around that time, long lines often form due to the high volume of arriving passengers.

In contrast, you will have different immigration clearance experience if you are already enrolled in Smart Entry Service. Instead of joining the manual immigration lane upon arrival, you can use the automated immigration lane. The line usually moves much faster since there are more automated gates available compared to the number of immigration officers on duty at the manual counters. The immigration clearance at the autogate is also very quick, usually taking around 15-30 seconds to complete. Compared to manual immigration that can take up to an hour, Smart Entry Service enables you to clear Korean immigration in five minutes.

Who Is Eligible for Korea’s Smart Entry Service?

On the Incheon Airport website, you can see the eligibility criteria for Korea’s Smart Entry Service. Obviously, Korean citizens can use the Smart Entry Service. Registered foreigners aged 17 years old or older can also use Smart Entry Service without without prior registration, while those with ages between 7 and 17 must register in advance to use the Smart Entrance Service.

For the case of a visitor who is not a registered foreigner in Korea and only visits Korea for tourism or other short-term visit purpose, is it possible to register for Smart Entry Service?

If you’re a passport holder of any of the countries / sovereign nations listed below (18 countries / nations as of February 2026), you may register for Smart Entry Service in order to use Korea’s immigration autogate when entering Korea:

• Australia
• Czech
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Italy
• Japan
• Macao
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Portugal
• Singapore
• Taiwan
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• United Kingdom

A small caveat to note, Smart Entry Service is only available to foreign visitors with minimum age of 17 years old. If you travel to Korea as a family with kids, you may have to defer the registration since children / teenagers under the age of 17 are not eligible for Smart Entry Service.

To summarize, the eligibility criteria for registering for Korea’s Smart Entry Service as a foreign visitor are as follows:

1. Arrive in Korea through one of the designated ports of entry where Smart Entry Service is available.
2. Hold a valid electronic passport from one of the countries included in the Smart Entry Service scheme (18 countries as of February 2026; see the full list above).
3. Be at least 17 years old.

If you check all the criteria of eligibility, you can then register for Smart Entry Service at any of the enrollment centers upon your arrival in Korea. In the next section we will explain the Smart Entry Service registration process at Incheon Airport, which is the main gateway to Korea.

Smart Entry Service (SES) Registration Process at Incheon Airport

Incheon Airport operates two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. When you arrive in Korea through Incheon Airport, you will deplane at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. After disembarking, you will walk through the arrival corridor to proceed with the arrival procedure. If you want to register for Smart Entry Service, you can do so at the enrollment desks situated at the immigration checkpoint of each terminal.

SES Registration for Arrival at Terminal 1

If you’re unsure at which terminal you deplane, you can check the arrival gate number. If your arrival gate number is any of Gate 1 to 50, it means that your flight arrives at Terminal 1. After disembarking, you will enter the arrival corridor on the second floor of Terminal 1. As you walk along the corridor, you will go through health screening and immigration clearance.

There can also be circumstances when you notice that your arrival gate is one of Gate 101-132. For such case, the aircraft is parked on the apron in the midfield Concourse, which is connected to Terminal 1. Once you disembark and enter the Concourse hallway on the second floor, you will then have to go downstairs to B1 floor to take the shuttle train to Terminal 1. After arriving at Terminal 1, you will go upstairs to the second floor and join other passengers who arrive at Terminal 1. Note that there is no immigration counter and luggage collection at Concourse. The arrival procedure for passengers arriving at Concourse is conducted at Terminal 1 building.

After walking past the health screening checkpoint at Terminal 1, you will enter the immigration clearance area. Follow the direction to “Smart Entry Service Registration Center” and join the line. SES registration line is separate with manual immigration inspection line. When it is your turn at the registration desk, submit your passport to the officer. You will then have your fingerprint taken and your face scanned. Once the biometric registration is complete, you’re done with both the immigration clearance and SES registration.

Refer to the map below for the location of Smart Entry Service Registration Center at Terminal 1. There are two registration desks at Terminal 1, one at the Immigration (Arrival) A, near to Arrival Gate 11. The other SES desk is located at the Immigration (Arrival) F, near to arrival Gate 42. The registration desk opens daily from 07:00 – 22:00 KST.

SES Registration for Arrival at Terminal 2

If your arrival gate number is one of Gate 208-291, your flight arrives at Terminal 2. After disembarking, walk along the arrival corridor on the second floor of Terminal 2. After walking pas the health screening checkpoint, you will be in the immigration clearance area.

Similar with that of Terminal 1, there are also two locations of SES registration desks at Terminal 2. The first registration desk is located at the Immigration (Arrival) A, near to arrival Gate 253. The registration desk opens 24-hours daily. The other registration desk is at the Immigration (Arrival) B. The desk at Arrival B opens daily from 05:00 – 20:00.

You can refer to the map below for the location of SES Registration Center at Terminal 2.

Steps to Use Korea’s Immigration Autogate to Enter Korea

After getting enrolled into Smart Entry Service, you will be able to use Korea’s immigration autogate in your next visit to Korea. While using the autogate is pretty straightforward, here we explain the steps to make your experience smoother:

Step 1: As you enter the immigration clearance area, join the lane for automated inspection. This lane is designated for Korean citizens, registered foreigners in Korea, and SES registered foreigners.

Step 2: Prepare your passport when you’re queuing in the line.

Step 3: When it’s your turn to use the autogate walk to any gate with green arrow indicator.

Step 4: Scan your passport photo page (the page with your photo, passport number, date of birth, citizenship, gender, validity date) on the reader. Wait until the scan process is complete. Once it’s complete, the first gate opens and you can walk into the mantrap area.

Step 5: In the mantrap area, put your right index finger on the fingerprint reader. Face straight to camera for facial scan. Once the biometric verification is completed, the second gate opens and you can walk past the gate.

Step 6: You have cleared immigration and can now collect your baggage or exit to the arrival hall.

Smart Entry Service vs Departure Immigration Autogate

Autogates are also available for departure immigration clearance. Different with the arrival immigration autogates for foreign visitors that require enrollment in the Smart Entry Service program, the departure immigration autogates can be used without prior registration. This means that after you complete the security check for your departure, you can proceed through immigration using one of the unmanned autogates.

As a precaution, the departure immigration autogate is only available to travelers aged 17 or older. If you’re traveling with children, you must proceed through the staffed immigration counter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I used Korea’s immigration autogate when clearing immigration for entry to Korea?
A: If you’re a passport holder of one of the 18 countries included in the Smart Entry Service program, you can register for automated immigration clearance when arriving in Korea. After completing the registration, you’ll be able to use the unmanned immigration autogate when clearing immigration to enter Korea.

Q: Can I register my children under 17 to use Korea’s immigration autogate?
A: If you’re not a registered foreign resident in Korea, your child is not eligible for Smart Entry Service. Korea’s immigration autogates are only available to citizens of the countries included in the Smart Entry Service program who are aged 17 or older.

Q: What is the validity of Korea’s Smart Entry Service?
A: Your Smart Entry Service enrollment is valid until your current passport expires. Once your passport expires, you will need to re-register for SES to remain eligible to use Korea’s immigration autogate.