International Travel

1) A negative COVID-19 test results

All travelers entering the Republic of Korea are required to submit pre-departure negative COVID-19 test results upon arrival. A proof of a negative COVID-19 test must be presented to the airline personnel when a passenger boards an aircraft. Boarding will not be permitted for foreign passengers without a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 48 hours or a negative RAT test result within 24 hours. The test result should be submitted to the quarantine authorities upon their arrival in the Republic of Korea.

Incoming travelers with a non-Korean passports with short-term visa will be denied entry to Korea if their test result does not meet the requirements. Korean nationals and foreign nationals with long-term visa whose test result does not meet the requirements will be required to get PCR test within 1 day of arrival at a local public healthcare center near their accommodation.

The test needs to be based on nucleic acid amplification tests. PCR tests based on DNA amplification are valid; antigen/antibody detection tests are not valid. All forms of self-administered tests are not valid regardless of test type. Name, date of birth, test method, test date and result, date of issuance and name of testing center should be included in the result.

The test result issued from the testing organization agency at the country of departure must be original and in English (or Korean). If the result cannot be issued in English or Korean, supplemental translated certificates certifying the translation can be submitted along with the original PCR test result.

Exceptions

1. Children under the age of 6(at the time of arrival) may be exempted from the negative test result requirement if all of the accompanying persons traveling with the infant or child have submitted valid negative test results.
2. Flight crew
3. Individuals with quarantine exemption certificates for humanitarian(attending funerals) or official business reasons.
4. Korean nationals or spouses or lineal descendants/antecedents of a Korean national departing from Ukraine.
5. Korean nationals who recovered from COVID-19 within 10 to 40 days of departure date. Documentary evidence such as recovery memo stating that you test positive for PCR(ART not acceptable) between 10 to 40 days of departure date must be submitted.
6. Foreigners who hold long term visas who contracted in Korea may enter Korea within 10 to 40 days of the date even if they test positive. They should submit one of the following documents: residence card, Overseas Korea residence card or ID card of diplomatic mission in Korea.

(Resource: https://kdca.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a20504000000&bid=0014)

2) Re-entry permit for long term residents

Effective April 1, 2022, registered long-term visa holders (including D-7, D-8, D-9, E-7, F-2, F-3 and F-5 visa holders) who have completed their alien registration process will be able to travel abroad without obtaining a re-entry permit, as currently required. 

A re-entry permit will be required only if the registered long-term visa holders are seeking to re-enter South Korea after one year (from departure date) of being outside of the country, with some exceptions.

(Resource: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/board/BoardNtcDetailR.pt?BBS_SEQ_GB_CD=&BBS_SEQ=2&BBS_GB_CD=BS10&NTCCTT_SEQ=1329&page=1)

3) K-ETA(for short-term visit only)

K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization that visa-free foreign visitors need to obtain before entering the Republic of Korea, by submitting relevant information online such as their travel information.

Purpose of travel should be tourism, visiting a family member, participating in events or meetings, or commercial business (excluding pursuit of profit).

Starting 1st September 2021, K-ETA is Mandatory for all foreigners entering Korea from visa waiver countries and visa-free countries. All foreigners without either a K-ETA or a valid Visa will not be permitted to board a plane to Korea.

Exceptions

1. Only UN passport holder, ABTC holder, USFK service member, aircraft and ship crew member, transfer passenger, Jeju Island travellers using a direct flight to Jeju Island are not required to apply for K-ETA.
2. Diplomatic or official passport holders, dependents of USFK members and civilian components need to apply for K-ETA. However, if they obtain prior approval for K-ETA exemption from Ministry of Justice through official request from relevant organizations, they would be exempted from K-ETA application.

(Resource: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do)

The Government of the Republic of Korea has decided to lift a seven-day quarantine mandate for all travelers entering from abroad, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not, from June 8. 

No restrictions for using public transportation from the airport to your residence.

Previously, those who arrived from abroad were only allowed to take quarantine taxis or personal vehicles or the designated train to leave the airport. As the Korean government lifted up the restrictions as of March 31, 2022, Incheon International Airport removed COVID-19 information desks and separate waiting zones for international travelers for public transportation.

Starting from June 1 2022, all overseas entrants need to take the on-arrival PCR test within 3 days of arrival instead of taking the test on the arrival day itself. PCR test to be taken at public health center near your accommodation. You need to be in quarantine until you get a negative test result. The second test, which had to be mandatory within 6~7th day of entry will be changed to recommendation. Thus, the total number of test after entering the country will be reduced from two to one.

Travelers with short-term visas should take a PCR test at the test centers in the airport. Please check at https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/medical/medical.do