Last updated: July 2022

REOPENING OF THE BORDERS:

South Korea allows travelers to enter the country without quarantine.

Tests required to travel to South Korea:

✓1 RT-PCR test within 48 hours or Rapid Antigen Test (NOT self-Antigen test) within 24 hours of departure

✓ 1 PCR test within 24 hours after the arrival. 

In addition, all travelers must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA).

All these conditions also apply to children from 12 years old. 

Vaccination Status for Visitors Under 18 years old:

Visitors under 18 years old must have a second dose of vaccine completed (at least 14 days prior to entry).

Entry Process (Special Entry Procedure)

All individuals entering Korea are required to go through a special immigration process to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

STEP 1:

Fill-out the Health Questionnaire and Travel Record Declaration (Special Quarantine Report) on board the plane.

Does not apply to Q-code applicants who have pre-registered their information.

STEP 2:

Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to check your temperature and submit the documents at the quarantine checkpoint.

✓ Q-code applicants may use their pre-issued QR code instead of submitting printed documents. However, the documents may be requested for verification so please have them ready at hand.

✓ Required documents:

- Negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test Result Certificate or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Result

- Health Questionnaire & Travel Record Declaration

- Passport

All documents above can be registered in advance via Q-code.

STEP 3:

Quarantine Procedure

✓ COVID-19 Asymptomatic:

Individuals who are fully vaccinated and show no signs of symptoms (i.e., fever, cough, etc.) during the health screening process and on their Health Questionnaire may proceed to their destination after immigration check. 

Please note that from July 25th 2022, the PCR test to do in South Korea within 3 days is now to be done within 24 hours after the arrival. Other points remain unchanged.

✓ Symptomatic:

Travelers showing signs of fever (37.5 ℃ or higher), coughing, difficulty in breathing, and/or other possible signs of COVID-19 upon entry to Korea must take a RT-PCR test at the Arrival Hall or the quarantine facility (Central Quarantine & Medical Support Center).

- If the test result is positive, the individual will be transferred to a hospital or residential treatment center depending on the severity.

- If the test result is negative, the individual is exempted from quarantine and must take a follow-up Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on Day 6 or 7 after their arrival. To perform a RAT, visitors can either use a self-test kit or visit a nearby medical clinic.

For more information on the actual South Korea entry conditions, please Click Here, or feel free to contact us.

South Korea K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

South Korea has launched a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization system, known as K-ETA. It is a new electronic authorization allowing visa-free travelers to visit the country.

Foreign nationals will only be able to enter South Korea without a visa by registering for a K-ETA. Upon acquiring the waiver, visitors will be exempt from submitting arrival cards, enabling them to clear immigration quickly.

It permits eligible travelers to visit South Korea for short stays for tourism, visiting family members, or business activities. In addition, the K-ETA is valid for 2 years, allowing the holder a stay of between 30 to 180 days per entry, depending on the nationality.

Visitors must apply for the K-ETA at least 72 hours before boarding the flight. Those who apply now can also use the visa waiver for future trips to South Korea.

To enter the country for purposes other than those authorized with the K-ETA or for extended consecutive stays, travelers must contact the nearest South Korean Embassy.

How to get a K-ETA

Application form: Click Here

To complete the online form, applicants need to enter basic information including:

✓ Personal details: name, nationality, date of birth

✓ Contact information: including email address

✓ Passport data: passport number, issue, and expiry date

✓ Health and security information

✓ A recent individual photo

✓ A non-refundable application fee of 10,000 KRW (about 7,5 euros) is paid using a debit or credit card to finalize the request.

On approval, the travel permit is sent to the applicant by email.

Travel Conditions

✓ For a full list of eligible countries, please Click Here

✓ 1 RT-PCR test within 48 hours or Rapid Antigen Test (NOT self-antigen test) within 24 hours of departure.

For essential information and further details, Click Here

VACCINES:

Around 88% of the 52 million population has been fully vaccinated. Moreover, around 66% of the population has received their booster shots.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information on the actual South Korea entry conditions, please Click Here, 

or for more information and to prepare for your future trips, feel free to contact us at : southkorea@phoenixvoyages.com

The Phoenix Voyages Team