COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in South Korea (1 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Suspension of visa exemptions for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini (Swaziland), Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Marshall Isl., Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Montenegro, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Fed., Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Isl., South Africa, Spain, St. Lucia, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates or Uruguay with a normal passport.

  • This does not apply to airline crew.

  • This does not apply to passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card.

  • This does not apply to passengers with a diplomatic, an official or a service passport.

• Suspension of visa exemptions for nationals of Japan.

• Suspension of visa exemptions for passengers with a Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan) normal passport.

• Suspension of visa exemptions for passengers with a Hong Kong (SAR China) passport.

• Suspension of visa exemptions for passengers with a Macao (SAR China) passport.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes with exceptions

  • Nationals of Mongolia are not allowed to transit if they depart from Mongolia or travel onward to Mongolia. This does not apply to airline crew.

  • Nationals of Thailand are not allowed to transit if they are traveling onward to Thailand. This does not apply to nationals of Thailand with a Certificate of Entry issued by Royal Thai Embassy and a Fit to Fly health certificate in English issued at most 72 hours before departure. This does not apply to airline crew.

  • Nationals of Egypt, Sudan, Syria and Yemen are not allowed to transit through Korea (Rep.). This does not apply to nationals of Egypt with a diplomatic or service passport.

• Travellers can transit through South Korea. They must remain airside, have proof of onward travel, and transit within 24 hours. Travellers will have their temperature checked on arrival. Anyone showing symptoms will be subject to a COVID-19 test. If the test is positive, they will be hospitalized.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Passengers are subject to quarantine for 14 days and to a PCR test for Coronavirus (COVID-19) within 3 days after arrival.

  • This does not apply to passengers with an Isolation Exemption Certificate issued by a Korean Embassy or Consulate before departure. They must be tested on Coronavirus (COVID-19) upon arrival and stay at designated quarantine facilities for 1 or 2 days until a negative test result is obtained.

• Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates from other countries are accepted in South Korea. The certificates should be in Korean or English.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Travellers departing from Uzbekistan, Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, and Nepal in the past 14 days must have a certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 48 hours before departure. The certificate should be either in English or Korean. This does not apply to nationals of Korea (Rep.).

• Passengers from Russia to Korea must have a PCR certificate issued 72 hours before arrival in Korea.

• Merchant seamen with a visa must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result issued at most 48 hours before departure. The certificate must be in English or Korean, and the passengers must have two copies of the certificate.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• For those not showing symptoms on arrival: Korean citizens, and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home.

• All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival and at their own expense and must undergo a PCR test for COVID-19 within 3 days after arrival.

• Korea and Singapore have introduced a “fast-track” entry plan for necessary trips by business travellers and others. This plan allows travellers with the pass to enter with a negative COVID-19 test result no older than 72 hours and to be exempt from quarantine.

Entry form required? (health or other)

• Yes

• Travellers must present a health declaration form and a special quarantine form upon arrival.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Arrivals are required to download and respond to daily questions for 14 days via a Self-Diagnosis Mobile App: http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/selfcheck/. Passengers who are unable to download the mobile app must provide a valid phone number and address in Korea to facilitate daily health monitoring by local government officials.

Border Restrictions

• Significant

• Short-term visas (type C-1 and C-3) issued on or before 5 April are no longer valid.

• Passengers with a visa on an expired passport must present a printed “Visa Grant Notice” and the expired passport to the immigration upon arrival.

• Passengers with a Re-Entry Permit issued by Korea (Rep.) who left Korea (Rep.) after 1 June 2020 must have a medical certificate issued in English or Korean at most 48 hours before departure from the first embarkation point. The certificate must have a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result or indicate if the passenger has symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

  • This does not apply to: passengers with status Diplomats (A-1), Government Officials (A-2, A-3) or Overseas Korean (F-4); and passengers with a diagnosis exemption form; and nationals of Korea (Rep.).

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Commercial passenger airline services are operating in and out of South Korea.

• All flights must arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN) between 05:00 and 20:00.

• South Korean airlines Jeju Air and T’way Air are planning to resume flights between Incheon and Narita. Jeju Air operates a flight once a week on a Saturday from Incheon to Narita.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no curfew.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• South Korean authorities have decided to impose a ban on year-end parties and some music lessons. Moreover, public saunas and some cafes must also close due to the surge in coronavirus infections.

• South Korea will enforce tighter social distancing rules for greater Seoul. There will be limits on public and religious gatherings, bars and nightclubs will remain closed, and restricted services at restaurants.

• South Korea has introduced a new five-tiered social distancing scheme replacing a three-level system. The details regarding the new guidelines can be found here.

• Businesses and companies have resumed operations, however, are now encouraged to re-introduce flexible working hours and work from home options.

• Schools and other educational institutions have opened.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks are required. The Seoul metropolitan government may impose fines on those who do not wear face masks.

• There are no restrictions on internal domestic travel.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open with social distancing protocols.

Bars and cafes open

• Yes

• Bars and cafes are open with strict social distancing protocols.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing a mask is mandatory in public.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.

To reduce the risk of infection by this virus if travelling in or from affected areas:

• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.

• Wearing a mask (face covering) is recommended in public places and when social distancing is not possible.

• Wash hands frequently, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Travellers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).

• Older travellers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to affected areas with their healthcare provider.

• Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop after visiting affected areas where transmission is occurring