South Korea travel restrictions

South Korea Latest News: Government lifts quarantine rule for fully-vaccinated visitors from 1 April (USA Today,16.03.2022)

International Restrictions:
*All travellers: Testing on arrival- All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate (with some exceptions). The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure. You should review the detailed information on the website of your nearest South Korean embassy. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19 in Korea, you may upload a certificate of recovery rather than a negative PCR test result into the Q-Code system prior to departure. For all other foreign travellers, it is required to receive a negative PCR test result as described above before you are able to fly to South Korea.
All arrivals, including children aged 5 and younger, and regardless of nationality and length of stay, are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. You can reserve an appointment for a PCR test upon arrival at Incheon Airport through the Airport Clinic’s website or take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in South Korea at a medical institution near your accommodation or residence. Foreign short-term travellers must pay for a PCR test at either the Airport Clinic or a medical institution while Korean citizens and long-term visa-holders may visit a local public health centre to take a PCR test for free within 24 hours of arrival.
If you have registered your overseas vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea, you may proceed to your final destination by public transport and take a PCR test within 24 hours. If your test is positive, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. You will be required to stay at a quarantine centre for 7 days (if you are a short-term visitor) or to isolate at home (if you are a long-term resident and if your accommodation meets certain standards). You will not need to take another PCR test at the end of your quarantine. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Quarantine requirements: Vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days). In addition, vaccination is considered complete and remains valid indefinitely following booster shots.
For those who have not completed vaccination or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Q-Code system, the default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for seven days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you register your vaccination status through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system or if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’ certificate issued by a Korean embassy.
If you’re visiting and must quarantine, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards. If you must quarantine and are a Korean national or long-term foreign resident with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, you may self-quarantine at home.
Foreign short-term travellers who are not eligible for quarantine exemption may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren, not a sibling) of you or your spouse and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
Foreign short-term travellers who are unvaccinated or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW (approximately £75) while in government quarantine facilities.
*Onward travel from the airport: If you are an unvaccinated, short-term visitor quarantining with family members, your family members must pick you up from the airport or from a quarantine facility later.
Quarantine transport options are available from the airport for unvaccinated travellers. Guidance is available at the airport on how best to proceed to your destination.
Vaccinated travellers may proceed to their final destination by public transport.
*Data collection: Individuals from outside South Korea will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
*If you’re fully vaccinated: Quarantine exemption availability- Vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days) or with booster shots.
Entrants from certain countries may be excluded from exemption, even if fully vaccinated. Check the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s website for further details.
Unvaccinated individuals may be able to apply for Quarantine Exemptions from Korean embassies in some circumstances.
*Proof of vaccination status: You do not need to demonstrate proof of overseas vaccination in order to enter South Korea, however, if you do not register completed overseas vaccinations through the Q-Code system, you will be expected to quarantine for seven days. If you were vaccinated in South Korea, your vaccination status will be automatically linked to the Q-Code system from the COOV database. All arrivals are required to be tested.
*If you’re not fully vaccinated: There are no special provisions for unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated travellers should follow the rules for ‘All travellers’ above.
*If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year: If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result as described in ‘Testing on arrival’ above before you are able to fly to South Korea. You should bring with you an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, what treatment you received and/or what isolation you observed. If you test positive or inconclusive on arrival, Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some British Nationals have tested negative in the UK and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions are required and you may be required to quarantine even if you are no longer testing positive.
Otherwise, there are no special provisions for individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past year. You should follow the rules for ‘All travellers’ above.
*Children and young people: Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for ‘All travellers’ to enter South Korea.
There are some exceptions to the requirement for children to present a pre-departure PCR test on arrival – see ‘Exemptions from pre-departure COVID-19 tests’ below. Parents should note that young children are required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in South Korea, in line with the rules for adults.
Unvaccinated children aged 5 and younger do not need to quarantine if accompanied by family members whose vaccinations are registered through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system.
*If you’re transiting through South Korea: Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination. All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. A “layover” – i.e. passing through immigration to enter South Korea during a long gap between flights – is not possible in South Korea, as everyone who enters the country through immigration must proceed directly into the COVID-19 testing system and is subject, in most cases, to a seven day quarantine requirement.
*Exemptions: Exemptions from pre-departure COVID-19 tests. Children aged five and under are not required to provide a negative PCR test certificate on arrival in South Korea. Individuals with quarantine exemptions issued by a Korean embassy for “humanitarian reasons” (i.e. to attend a funeral) or official business reasons are also exempt.
*Quarantine exemptions: For overseas unvaccinated travellers arriving in South Korea, quarantine exemptions will be issued from Korean embassies only for attendance at the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you are resident. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse. Guidance is available from your nearest embassy of the Republic of Korea.
If you are unvaccinated and are travelling to Korea for business, your employer can apply for a Quarantine Exemption Certificate through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to your departure (with some exceptions, see the ‘Testing on arrival’ section under ‘Exemptions’ above). You will be taken to an airport testing centre for your PCR test on arrival and will not be able to leave until the result has been received. You will need to do antigen tests on days three and five and a PCR test on day seven, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Vaccinated travellers who have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
For more information on the Q-Code System, see the ‘If you’re fully vaccinated’ section.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City< /a>
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. If you are eligible to receive a PCR test, you will usually receive your results via text message within 1-2 days. If you are not eligible to receive a PCR test, you will receive an antigen test which provides results within approximately 30 minutes.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. The Korean authorities have made clear that if you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for quarantine and treatment at home, unless you are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures. Fully vaccinated individuals will generally need to quarantine (whether at home or in a facility) for seven days. Korean health authorities generally have broad discretion to apply the rules as they see fit. You may face additional costs from your travel provider if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

South Korea Latest News: Government lifts quarantine rule for fully-vaccinated visitors from 1 April (USA Today,16.03.2022)

International Restrictions:
*Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate. The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19 in Korea, you may upload a certificate of recovery rather than a negative PCR test result into the Q-Code system prior to departure. For all other foreign travellers, it is required to receive a negative PCR test result as described above before you are able to fly to South Korea.
All arrivals, including children aged 5 and younger, and regardless of nationality and length of stay, are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. You can reserve an appointment for a PCR test upon arrival at Incheon Airport through the Airport Clinic’s website or take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in South Korea at a medical institution near your accommodation or residence. Foreign short-term travellers must pay for a PCR test at either the Airport Clinic or a medical institution while Korean citizens and long-term visa-holders may visit a local public health centre to take a PCR test for free within 24 hours of arrival.
If you have registered your overseas vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system/< a> before traveling to Korea, you may proceed to your final destination by public transport and take a PCR test within 24 hours. If your test is positive, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. You will be required to stay at a quarantine centre for 7 days (if you are a short-term visitor) or to isolate at home (if you are a long-term resident and if your accommodation meets certain standards). You will not need to take another PCR test at the end of your quarantine. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
Quarantine requirements: Vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days). In addition, vaccination is considered complete and remains valid indefinitely following booster shots.
For those who have not completed vaccination or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Q-Code system, the default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for seven days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you register your vaccination status through the
Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system or if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’ certificate issued by a Korean embassy.
If you’re visiting and must quarantine, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards. If you must quarantine and are a Korean national or long-term foreign resident with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, you may self-quarantine at home.
Foreign short-term travellers who are not eligible for quarantine exemption may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren, not a sibling) of you or your spouse and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). Certified translations are required for documents not in English. Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
Foreign short-term travellers who are unvaccinated or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
Onward travel from the airport: If you are an unvaccinated, short-term visitor quarantining with family members, your family members must pick you up from the airport or from a quarantine facility later.
Quarantine transport options are available from the airport for unvaccinated travellers. Guidance is available at the airport on how best to proceed to your destination.
Vaccinated travellers may proceed to their final destination by public transport.
Data collection: Individuals will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
*If you’re fully vaccinated:
Quarantine exemption availability: Vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days) or with booster shots.
Entrants from certain countries may be excluded from exemption, even if fully vaccinated. Check the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s website for further details.
Unvaccinated individuals may be able to apply for Quarantine Exemptions from Korean embassies in some circumstances.
Proof of vaccination status: You do not need to demonstrate proof of overseas vaccination in order to enter South Korea, however, if you do not register completed overseas vaccinations through the Q-Code system, you will be expected to quarantine for seven days. If you were vaccinated in South Korea, your vaccination status will be automatically linked to the Q-Code system from the COOV database. All arrivals are required to be tested.
*If you’re not fully vaccinated: There are no special provisions for unvaccinated individuals.
If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year: If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result. You should bring with you an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, what treatment you received and/or what isolation you observed. If you test positive or inconclusive on arrival, Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some Foreign Nationals have tested negative in their country and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions are required and you may be required to quarantine even if you are no longer testing positive.
Otherwise, there are no special provisions for individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past year.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City< /a>
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. If you are eligible to receive a PCR test, you will usually receive your results via text message within 1-2 days. If you are not eligible to receive a PCR test, you will receive an antigen test which provides results within approximately 30 minutes.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. The Korean authorities have made clear that if you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for quarantine and treatment at home, unless you are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures. Fully vaccinated individuals will generally need to quarantine (whether at home or in a facility) for seven days. Korean health authorities generally have broad discretion to apply the rules as they see fit. You may face additional costs from your travel provider if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

South Korea Latest News: Government lifts quarantine rule for fully-vaccinated visitors from 1 April (USA Today,16.03.2022)

International Restrictions:
*Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate (with some exceptions – see ‘Exemptions’ below). The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure. You should review the detailed information on nearest Embassy of the Republic of Korea website. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19 in Korea, you may upload a certificate of recovery rather than a negative PCR test result into the Q-Code system prior to departure. For all other foreign travellers, it is required to receive a negative PCR test result as described above before you are able to fly to South Korea.

All arrivals, including children aged 5 and younger, and regardless of nationality and length of stay, are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. You can reserve an appointment for a PCR test upon arrival at Incheon Airport through the Airport Clinic’s website or take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in South Korea at a medical institution near your accommodation or residence. Foreign short-term travellers must pay for a PCR test at either the Airport Clinic or a medical institution while Korean citizens and long-term visa-holders may visit a local public health centre to take a PCR test for free within 24 hours of arrival.
If you have registered your overseas vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea, you may proceed to your final destination by public transport and take a PCR test within 24 hours (see ‘Quarantine requirements’ below). If your test is positive, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. You will be required to stay at a quarantine centre for 7 days (if you are a short-term visitor) or to isolate at home (if you are a long-term resident and if your accommodation meets certain standards). You will not need to take another PCR test at the end of your quarantine. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Quarantine requirements: Vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days). In addition, vaccination is considered complete and remains valid indefinitely following booster shots.
For those who have not completed vaccination or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Q-Code system, the default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for seven days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you register your vaccination status through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system or if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’ certificate issued by a Korean embassy – see ‘Quarantine exemptions’ below.
If you’re visiting and must quarantine, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards. If you must quarantine and are a Korean national or long-term foreign resident with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, you may self-quarantine at home.
Foreign short-term travellers who are not eligible for quarantine exemption may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren, not a sibling) of you or your spouse and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). UK-issued documents can be legalised by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – find out how to get a document legalised. Certified translations are required for documents not in English. Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
Foreign short-term travellers who are unvaccinated or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
*Onward travel from the airport: If you are an unvaccinated, short-term visitor quarantining with family members, your family members must pick you up from the airport or from a quarantine facility later. Quarantine transport options are available from the airport for unvaccinated travellers. Guidance is available at the airport on how best to proceed to your destination. Vaccinated travellers may proceed to their final destination by public transport.
*Data collection: Individuals from abroad will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
*If you’re fully vaccinated: Quarantine exemption availability. Vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days) or with booster shots. Entrants from certain countries may be excluded from exemption, even if fully vaccinated. Check the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s website for further details. Unvaccinated individuals may be able to apply for Quarantine Exemptions from Korean embassies in some circumstances. See ‘Quarantine exemptions’ below.
*Proof of vaccination status: You do not need to demonstrate proof of overseas vaccination in order to enter South Korea, however, if you do not register completed overseas vaccinations through the Q-Code system, you will be expected to quarantine for seven days. If you were vaccinated in South Korea, your vaccination status will be automatically linked to the Q-Code system from the COOV database. All arrivals are required to be tested.
*If you’re not fully vaccinated: There are no special provisions for unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated travellers should follow the rules for ‘All travellers’ above.
*If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year: If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result as described in ‘Testing on arrival’ above before you are able to fly to South Korea. You should bring with you an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, what treatment you received and/or what isolation you observed. If you test positive or inconclusive on arrival, Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some British Nationals have tested negative in the UK and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions are required and you may be required to quarantine even if you are no longer testing positive.
Otherwise, there are no special provisions for individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past year. You should follow the rules for ‘All travellers’ above.
*Children and young people: Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for ‘All travellers’ to enter South Korea. There are some exceptions to the requirement for children to present a pre-departure PCR test on arrival – see ‘Exemptions from pre-departure COVID-19 tests’ below. Parents should note that young children are required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in South Korea, in line with the rules for adults. Unvaccinated children aged 18 and younger do not need to quarantine if accompanied by family members whose vaccinations are registered through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system. For more information see ‘If you’re fully vaccinated’.
*If you’re transiting through South Korea: Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination. All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. A “layover” – i.e. passing through immigration to enter South Korea during a long gap between flights – is not possible in South Korea, as everyone who enters the country through immigration must proceed directly into the COVID-19 testing system and is subject, in most cases, to a seven day quarantine requirement.
*Exemptions: Exemptions from pre-departure COVID-19 tests. Children aged five and under are not required to provide a negative PCR test certificate on arrival in South Korea. Individuals with quarantine exemptions issued by a Korean embassy for “humanitarian reasons” (i.e. to attend a funeral) or official business reasons are also exempt.
*Quarantine exemptions: For overseas unvaccinated travellers arriving in South Korea, quarantine exemptions will be issued from Korean embassies only for attendance at the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you are resident. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse. Guidance is available from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in your territory.
South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are unvaccinated and are travelling to Korea for business, your employer can apply for a Quarantine Exemption Certificate through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to your departure (with some exceptions, see the ‘Testing on arrival’ section under ‘Exemptions’ above). You will be taken to an airport testing centre for your PCR test on arrival and will not be able to leave until the result has been received. You will need to do antigen tests on days three and five and a PCR test on day seven, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Vaccinated travellers who have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption. For more information on the Q-Code System, see the ‘If you’re fully vaccinated’ section.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City< /a>
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. If you are eligible to receive a PCR test, you will usually receive your results via text message within 1-2 days. If you are not eligible to receive a PCR test, you will receive an antigen test which provides results within approximately 30 minutes.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. The Korean authorities have made clear that if you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for quarantine and treatment at home, unless you are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures. Fully vaccinated individuals will generally need to quarantine (whether at home or in a facility) for seven days. Korean health authorities generally have broad discretion to apply the rules as they see fit. You may face additional costs from your travel provider if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

South Korea Latest News: Government lifts quarantine rule for fully-vaccinated visitors from 1 April (USA Today,16.03.2022)

International Restrictions:
*All travellers: Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate (with some exceptions). The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result as described above before you are able to fly to South Korea.
All arrivals, including children aged 5 and younger, and regardless of nationality and length of stay, are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. You can reserve an appointment for a PCR test upon arrival at Incheon Airport through the Airport Clinic’s website. PCR tests at the airport must be paid at the traveller’s expense. Alternatively, vaccinated travellers may take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in South Korea at a local health centre near one’s accommodation or residence.
If you have registered your overseas vaccination history through the
Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea, you may proceed to your final destination by public transport and take a PCR test within 24 hours (see ‘Quarantine requirements’ below). If your test is positive, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. You will be required to stay at a quarantine centre for 7 days (if you are a short-term visitor) or to isolate at home (if you are a long-term resident and if your accommodation meets certain standards). You will not need to take another PCR test at the end of your quarantine. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
Quarantine requirements: Vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the
Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days). In addition, vaccination is considered complete and remains valid indefinitely following booster shots.
For those who have not completed vaccination or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Q-Code system, the default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for seven days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you register your vaccination status through the
Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system or if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’ certificate issued by a Korean embassy.

If you’re visiting and must quarantine, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards. If you must quarantine and are a Korean national or long-term foreign resident with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, you may self-quarantine at home.
Foreign short-term travellers who are not eligible for quarantine exemption may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren, not a sibling) of you or your spouse and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). Certified translations are required for documents not in English. Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
Foreign short-term travellers who are unvaccinated or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
Onward travel from the airport: If you are an unvaccinated, short-term visitor quarantining with family members, your family members must pick you up from the airport or from a quarantine facility later.
Quarantine transport options are available from the airport for unvaccinated travellers. Guidance is available at the airport on how best to proceed to your destination. Vaccinated travellers may proceed to their final destination by public transport.
Data collection: All Individuals will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
If you’re fully vaccinated: Quarantine exemption availability: Vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the
Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption. Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days) or with booster shots.
Entrants from certain countries may be excluded from exemption, even if fully vaccinated. Check the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s website for further details. Unvaccinated individuals may be able to apply for Quarantine Exemptions from Korean embassies in some circumstances.
Re-entry permits: Fully vaccinated individuals are able to apply for special types of re-entry permit.
Proof of vaccination status: You do not need to demonstrate proof of overseas vaccination in order to enter South Korea, however, if you do not register completed overseas vaccinations through the Q-Code system, you will be expected to quarantine for seven days. If you were vaccinated in South Korea, your vaccination status will be automatically linked to the Q-Code system from the COOV database. All arrivals are required to be tested.
If you’re not fully vaccinated: There are no special provisions for unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated travellers should follow the rules for above.
If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year: If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result before you are able to fly to South Korea. You should bring with you an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, what treatment you received and/or what isolation you observed. If you test positive or inconclusive on arrival, Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some Foreign Nationals have tested negative in their country and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions are required and you may be required to quarantine even if you are no longer testing positive. Otherwise, there are no special provisions for individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past year.
Children and young people: Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for ‘All travellers’ to enter South Korea.
There are some exceptions to the requirement for children to present a pre-departure PCR test on arrival. Parents should note that young children are required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in South Korea, in line with the rules for adults.
Unvaccinated children aged 18 and younger do not need to quarantine if accompanied by family members whose vaccinations are registered through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system
If you’re transiting through South Korea: Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination. All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. A “layover” – i.e. passing through immigration to enter South Korea during a long gap between flights – is not possible in South Korea, as everyone who enters the country through immigration must proceed directly into the COVID-19 testing system and is subject, in most cases, to a seven day quarantine requirement.
Exemptions: Exemptions from pre-departure COVID-19 tests: Children aged five and under are not required to provide a negative PCR test certificate on arrival in South Korea. Individuals with quarantine exemptions issued by a Korean embassy for “humanitarian reasons” (i.e. to attend a funeral) or official business reasons are also exempt.
Quarantine exemptions: For overseas unvaccinated travellers arriving in South Korea, quarantine exemptions will be issued from Korean embassies only for attendance at the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you are resident. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse.
Any family relationship certificates (i.e. marriage or birth certificates) that you submit as part of your application need to be legalised (or “apostilled”) by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before you submit them. Find out how to get a document legalised . South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption.
If you are unvaccinated and are travelling to Korea for business, your employer can apply for a Quarantine Exemption Certificate through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to your departure (with some exceptions, see the ‘Testing on arrival’ section under ‘Exemptions’ above). You will be taken to an airport testing centre for your PCR test on arrival and will not be able to leave until the result has been received. You will need to do antigen tests on days three and five and a PCR test on day seven, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Vaccinated travellers who have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City< /a>
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. If you are eligible to receive a PCR test, you will usually receive your results via text message within 1-2 days. If you are not eligible to receive a PCR test, you will receive an antigen test which provides results within approximately 30 minutes.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. The Korean authorities have made clear that if you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for quarantine and treatment at home, unless you are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures. Fully vaccinated individuals will generally need to quarantine (whether at home or in a facility) for seven days. Korean health authorities generally have broad discretion to apply the rules as they see fit. You may face additional costs from your travel provider if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

South Korea It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for! Starting from the 1st April 2022, fully vaccinated visitors to Korea will no longer need to quarantine upon entry into the country. The announcement was made last Friday, 11th March, and marks the first time Korea will be open to the majority of vaccinated visitors* since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

[*Please note this exemption does not currently apply to vaccinated visitors from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Myanmar, who must still quarantine for seven days.]

FAQs

Who qualifies as ‘fully vaccinated’?

This refers to those who have a) received two doses of a WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccine (at least 14 days prior to travelling, but within 180 days), or b) received a third (booster) dose of the vaccine.

How do I demonstrate my vaccination status to gain entry to Korea?

International visitors must register their vaccine status on the Q-CODE website before arriving in Korea – a QR code will be provided which you must scan at immigration. When registering, Q-CODE will ask for your personal information (including passport number), entry information (departure country, airline, address in Korea, phone number) and vaccine records.
Q-CODE website: cov19ent.kdca.go.kr

Is some quarantine-free travel allowed from 21st March?

Only those who have received their vaccines in Korea, or registered their vaccine status via the Korean COOV app prior to 21st March, can qualify for the quarantine exemption from 21st March.

Are there any other entry requirements?

Covid testing: All international arrivals to Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate. The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure.

Visa requirements: Eligible travelers can enter South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days without a visa, but you must be in possession of a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA).

You can complete your K-ETA application up to 24 hours before boarding your flight and it will be valid for two years from the date of approval.

Please consult the Korean embassy in the country where your passport is registered for up-to-date visa information. For more information about entry requirements visit www.mofa.go.kr/www/index.do

South Korea Latest News: Government lifts quarantine rule for fully-vaccinated visitors from 1 April (USA Today,16.03.2022)

International Restrictions:
*All travellers: Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate. The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure.f you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result as described above before you are able to fly to South Korea.
All arrivals, including children aged 5 and younger, and regardless of nationality and length of stay, are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. If you are resident in South Korea, this can be at a local health centre near your residence. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
From April 1, if you have registered your overseas vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea and your PCR test following arrival is negative, you may leave the testing facility by public transport (see ‘Quarantine requirements’ below). If your test is positive, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. You will be required to stay at a quarantine centre for 7 days (if you are a short-term visitor) or to isolate at home (if you are a long-term resident and if your accommodation meets certain standards). You will not need to take another PCR test at the end of your quarantine. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Quarantine requirements: Starting from March 21, 2022, vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or those who already registered their overseas vaccination history at a local Korean public health centre will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Starting from April 1, 2022, vaccinated travellers who have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days). In addition, vaccination is considered complete and remains valid indefinitely following booster shots.
For those who have not completed vaccination or who have not registered their vaccination history through the Q-Code system, the default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for seven days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you register your vaccination status through the
Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system or if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’ certificate issued by a Korean embassy.
If you’re visiting and must quarantine, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards. If you must quarantine and are a Korean national or long-term foreign resident with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, you may self-quarantine at home.
Foreign short-term travellers who are not eligible for quarantine exemption may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren, not a sibling) of you or your spouse and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). Certified translations are required for documents not in English. Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
Foreign short-term travellers who are unvaccinated or who have not registered their vaccination history through the
Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
*Onward travel from the airport: If you are required to quarantine or take a PCR test at a government-designated facility upon arrival, transport to the facility (usually a bus) will be provided. You will be guided to the transport by airport officials as part of your arrivals process. Once you have been released from the facility, it will then be your responsibility to secure transport to your final destination.
If you are an unvaccinated, short-term visitor quarantining with family members, your family members must pick you up from the airport or from a quarantine facility later. (You will likely not be able to choose which facility you are sent to, so will not be able to pick one that is convenient for pickup.)
Quarantine transport options are available from the airport for unvaccinated travellers. Guidance is available at the airport on how best to proceed to your destination.
Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
*If you’re fully vaccinated: Quarantine exemption availability:
Starting from March 21, 2022, vaccinated travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea or those who already registered their overseas vaccination history at a local Korean public health centre will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Starting from April 1, 2022, vaccinated travellers who have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.
Vaccination is considered to be complete 14 days after the 2nd shot for a two-dose vaccine (valid up to 180 days) or with booster shots.
Entrants from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Myanmar are excluded from exemption, even if fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated individuals may be able to apply for Quarantine Exemptions from Korean embassies in some circumstances.
Re-entry permits: Fully vaccinated individuals are able to apply for special types of re-entry permit.
Proof of vaccination status: You do not need to demonstrate proof of overseas vaccination in order to enter South Korea, however, if you do not register completed overseas vaccinations through the Q-Code system, you will be expected to quarantine for seven days. If you were vaccinated in South Korea, your vaccination status will be automatically linked to the Q-Code system from the COOV database. All arrivals are required to be tested.
If you’re not fully vaccinated: There are no special provisions for unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated travellers should follow the rules for All travellers above.
If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year: If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result before you are able to fly to South Korea. You should bring with you an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, what treatment you received and/or what isolation you observed. If you test positive or inconclusive on arrival, Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some foreign Nationals have tested negative in their country and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions are required and you may be required to quarantine even if you are no longer testing positive.
Otherwise, there are no special provisions for individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past year.
Children and young people: Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for all travellers to enter South Korea.There are some exceptions to the requirement for children to present a pre-departure PCR test on arrival. Parents should note that young children are required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in South Korea, in line with the rules for adults.
From April 1, unvaccinated children aged 5 and younger do not need to quarantine if accompanied by family members who are registered through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system. Children aged 6 and older must be vaccinated and registered in the Q-Code system in order to be eligible for quarantine exemption.
*If you’re transiting through South Korea: Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination. All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. A “layover” – i.e. passing through immigration to enter South Korea during a long gap between flights – is not possible in South Korea, as everyone who enters the country through immigration must proceed directly into the COVID-19 testing system and is subject, in most cases, to a seven day quarantine requirement.
Exemptions:
*Exemptions from pre-departure COVID-19 tests: Children aged five and under are not required to provide a negative PCR test certificate on arrival in South Korea. Individuals with quarantine exemptions issued by a Korean embassy for “humanitarian reasons” (i.e. to attend a funeral) or official business reasons are also exempt.
*Quarantine exemptions: For overseas vaccinated travellers arriving in South Korea before April 1, quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only if you are resident outside of South Korea, only for a visit lasting 14 days or less, and only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse.
For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea will accept the proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination.
If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to your departure (with some exceptions, see the ‘Testing on arrival’ section under ‘Exemptions’ above). You will be taken to an airport testing centre for your PCR test on arrival and will not be able to leave until the result has been received. You will need to do antigen tests on days three and five and a PCR test on day seven, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Starting from April 1, 2022, vaccinated travellers who have completed vaccination overseas and have registered their vaccination history through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system before traveling to Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City< /a>
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. If you are eligible to receive a PCR test, you will usually receive your results via text message within 1-2 days. If you are not eligible to receive a PCR test, you will receive an antigen test which provides results within approximately 30 minutes.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. The Korean authorities have made clear that if you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for quarantine and treatment at home, unless you are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures. Fully vaccinated individuals will generally need to quarantine (whether at home or in a facility) for seven days. Korean health authorities generally have broad discretion to apply the rules as they see fit. You may face additional costs from your travel provider if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

South Korea A PCR-RT test is no longer required to enter the country, but cheaper and faster rapid antigen tests are also acceptable. This is now unclear based on the reports coming from Korea. It could be that you need to have pre-departure and arrival PCR-RT tests and an antigen follow-up on the day 6/7.

If South Korea doesn’t consider fully vaccinated, visitors need to quarantine for seven nights.

The relaxed entry rules won’t apply to Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Myanmar visitors.

In the fall of 2021 (while it was still pretty much impossible for most people to visit) South Korea has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization which most travelers are now required to apply for.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is something that has been established with quite a few countries over the last decade. First, it was only Australia, then the U.S. introduced ESTA (for non-Visa holders), followed by Canada and now South Korea as well.

The Korea ETA also requires a picture to be uploaded. There is a fee for the processing which comes at 10,300 KRW (~US$9) The website says 10,000 KRW but I was charged 300 Won extra..

The ETA is required for travelers who:

Do not have a visa for the Republic of Korea
A person who intends to enter the country short-term for business or tourism purpose

There are some exemptions as well such as for airline crew as well as transit passengers who do not require this ETA. Anyone who has one will no longer be required to submit the arrival forms at the immigration counter. You do need to update your details concerning the stay in Korea (first address) with each entry though.

South Korea Latest News:

International Restrictions:
*All travellers: Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate. The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure. You should review the detailed information on the Embassy of the Republic of Korea . If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result as described above before you are able to fly to South Korea.
All arrivals – including children under the age of six, and regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. If you are resident in South Korea, this can be at a local health centre near your residence. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If your test on arrival is negative, you can proceed onto quarantine (see ‘Quarantine requirements’ below). If your test is positive, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. You will be required to stay at a quarantine centre for 7 days (if you are a short-term visitor) or to isolate at home (if you are a long-term resident and if your accommodation meets certain standards). You will not need to take another PCR test at the end of your quarantine. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Quarantine requirements: The default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for seven days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’. Regardless of where you are quarantining or if you have a quarantine exemption, you must take a PCR test on day seven. If you’re visiting, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards.
Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for seven days.
Foreign short-term travellers may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren, not a sibling) of you or your spouse and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). Certified translations are required for documents not in English. Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).< br>
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
*Onward travel from the airport: If you are required to quarantine at a government-designated facility, transport to the facility (usually a bus) will be provided. You will be guided to the transport by airport officials as part of your arrivals process.
If you are a short-term visitor quarantining with family members, your family members must pick you up from the airport or from a quarantine facility later. (You will likely not be able to choose which facility you are sent to, so will not be able to pick one that is convenient for pickup.) . If you are resident in Korea and able to quarantine at home, you will be expected to make your way home using either your own car or quarantine transport options (see below).
If you have a quarantine exemption, you are also required to use quarantine transport to proceed from the airport to the location where you will be staying.
Quarantine transport options are available from the airport. Quarantine taxis can take you door-to-door. Quarantine buses run from the airport to locations around Seoul, from which you can take a quarantine taxi to your final destination. There are also quarantine KTX (bullet train) options if you live outside of Seoul; a quarantine bus will take you from the airport to Gwangmyeong KTX station. Once you reach your destination KTX station, you will be assisted to take a quarantine taxi to your final destination. Guidance is available at the airport on how best to proceed to your destination.
*Data collection: Individuals will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
During your quarantine period, the location of your mobile phone will be tracked, and you will be contacted if you leave the place where you are quarantining.
*If you’re fully vaccinated: Quarantine exemption availability: Fully vaccinated individuals are able to apply for Quarantine Exemptions in some circumstances.
*Re-entry permits: Fully vaccinated individuals are able to apply for special types of re-entry permit.
*Proof of vaccination status: You do not need to demonstrate proof of overseas vaccination when entering South Korea. If you were vaccinated in South Korea, you will be asked to demonstrate your vaccination status using the COOV app or alternative paper certificate. All arrivals are required to be tested and are subject to quarantine (unless you have a quarantine exemption.
*If you’re not fully vaccinated: There are no special provisions for unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated travellers should follow the rules for ‘All travellers’ above.
*If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year: If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result, above before you are able to fly to South Korea. You should bring with you an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, what treatment you received and/or what isolation you observed. If you test positive or inconclusive on arrival, Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some foreign nationals have tested negative in the and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions are required and you may be required to quarantine even if you are no longer testing positive.
Otherwise, there are no special provisions for individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past year. You should follow the rules for All travellers above.
*Children and young people: Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for All travellers to enter South Korea. There are some exceptions to the requirement for children to present a pre-departure PCR test on arrival. Parents should note that young children are required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in South Korea, in line with the rules for adults. Some children are eligible for quarantine exemptions under certain circumstances.

*If you’re transiting through South Korea: Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination.
All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. A “layover” – i.e. passing through immigration to enter South Korea during a long gap between flights – is not possible in South Korea, as everyone who enters the country through immigration must proceed directly into the COVID-19 testing system and is subject, in most cases, to a seven day quarantine requirement.
*Exemptions: Exemptions from pre-departure COVID-19 tests
Children aged five and under are not required to provide a negative PCR test certificate on arrival in South Korea. Individuals with quarantine exemptions for “humanitarian reasons” (i.e. to attend a funeral) or official business reasons are also exempt.
*Quarantine exemptions: You can apply for a quarantine exemption if you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
Most quarantine exemptions are currently suspended to control the spread of the omicron variant, regardless of your nationality or vaccination status. If you arrive in South Korea without a valid quarantine exemption you will need to quarantine for seven days.
Quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only if you are resident outside of South Korea, only for a visit lasting 14 days or less, and only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse.
Children aged five and under who are travelling with their parents are eligible for a quarantine exemption as long as their parents are also eligible and the application is made at the same time. Unvaccinated children from age 6 to age 17 are not eligible for a quarantine exemption.
For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the Embassies of the Republic of Korea will accept the proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
Any family relationship certificates (i.e. marriage or birth certificates) that you submit as part of your application need to be legalised (or “apostilled”) by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before you submit them. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption.
If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to your departure (with some exceptions, see the ‘Testing on arrival’ section under ‘Exemptions’ above). You will be taken to an airport testing centre for your PCR test on arrival and will not be able to leave until the result has been received. You will need to do antigen tests on days three and five and a PCR test on day seven, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
*Onward travel from the airport: If you are a short-term visitor with a quarantine exemption, you will need to proceed from the airport to the location where you will be staying using quarantine transport.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. If you are eligible to receive a PCR test, you will usually receive your results via text message within 1-2 days. If you are not eligible to receive a PCR test, you will receive an antigen test which provides results within approximately 30 minutes.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. The Korean authorities have made clear that if you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for quarantine and treatment at home, unless you are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures. Fully vaccinated individuals will generally need to quarantine (whether at home or in a facility) for seven days. Korean health authorities generally have broad discretion to apply the rules as they see fit. You may face additional costs from your travel provider if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare
websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.

South Korea Latest News:

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea (except children under the age of six and individuals with quarantine exemptions for “humanitarian reasons” – i.e. to attend a funeral – or official business reasons) are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate. LAMP tests are accepted. The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure.
All arrivals – including children under the age of six, and regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result as described above before you are able to fly to South Korea. You should bring with you an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, what treatment you received and/or what isolation you observed. If you test positive or inconclusive on arrival, Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some British Nationals have tested negative in the UK and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions are required and you may be required to quarantine even if you are no longer testing positive.
*Quarantine and quarantine exemptions: The default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for seven days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’. If you’re visiting, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards.
You can apply for a quarantine exemption if you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
Most quarantine exemptions are currently suspended to control the spread of the omicron variant, regardless of your nationality or vaccination status. If you arrive in South Korea without a valid quarantine exemption you will need to quarantine for seven days.
Quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only if you are resident outside of South Korea, only for a visit lasting 14 days or less, and only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to your departure (with some exceptions, see ‘Testing on arrival’ above). You will be taken to an airport testing centre for your PCR test on arrival and will not be able to leave until the result has been received. You will need to do antigen tests on days three and five and a PCR test on day seven, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for seven days.
Foreign short-term travellers may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a direct ascendent or descendent (a parent/grandparent or a child/grandchild, not a sibling) and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). Certified translations are required for documents not in English.) Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. See For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Onward travel from the airport: If you are required to quarantine at a government-designated facility, transport to the facility (usually a bus) will be provided. You will be guided to the transport by airport officials as part of your arrivals process. If you are a short-term visitor quarantining with family members, your family members must pick you up from the airport or from a quarantine facility later. (You will likely not be able to choose which facility you are sent to, so will not be able to pick one that is convenient for pickup.) If you are a short-term visitor with a quarantine exemption, you will need to proceed from the airport to the location where you will be staying using quarantine transport (see below). If you are resident in Korea and able to quarantine at home, you will be expected to make your way home using either your own car or quarantine transport options (see below). Quarantine transport options are available from the airport. Quarantine taxis can take you door-to-door. Quarantine buses run from the airport to locations around Seoul, from which you can take a quarantine taxi to your final destination. There are also quarantine KTX (bullet train) options if you live outside of Seoul; a quarantine bus will take you from the airport to Gwangmyeong KTX station. Once you reach your destination KTX station, you will be assisted to take a quarantine taxi to your final destination. Guidance is available at the airport on how best to proceed to your destination.
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 status: For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London will accept the proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: All arrivals will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
During your quarantine period, the location of your mobile phone will be tracked, and you will be contacted if you leave the place where you are quarantining.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. If you are eligible to receive a PCR test, you will usually receive your results via text message within 1-2 days. If you are not eligible to receive a PCR test, you will receive an antigen test which provides results within approximately 30 minutes.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. If you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for quarantine and treatment at home, unless you suffer from certain medical conditions or are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures.
Fully vaccinated individuals will generally need to quarantine (whether at home or in a facility) for seven days. However, some individuals testing positive have, in the past, spent over a month in hospital/ treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. Korean health authorities generally have broad discretion to apply the rules as they see fit. You may face additional costs from your travel provider if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare
websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.

South Korea Latest News:

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea (except children under the age of six and individuals with quarantine exemptions for “humanitarian reasons” – i.e. to attend a funeral – or official business reasons) are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate. LAMP tests are accepted. The test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure. You should review the detailed information on your nearest Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London website.
All arrivals – including children under the age of six, and regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR test result as described above before you are able to fly to South Korea. You should bring with you an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, what treatment you received and/or what isolation you observed. If you test positive or inconclusive on arrival, Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some foreign nationals have tested negative in the origin country and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions are required and you may be required to quarantine even if you are no longer testing positive.
*Quarantine and quarantine exemptions: The default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for 10 days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’. If you’re visiting, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards.
You can apply for a quarantine exemption if you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
Most quarantine exemptions are currently suspended to control the spread of the omicron variant, regardless of your nationality or vaccination status. If you arrive in South Korea without a valid quarantine exemption you will need to quarantine for 10 days.
Quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only if you are resident outside of South Korea, only for a visit lasting 14 days or less, and only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse.
Any family relationship certificates (i.e. marriage or birth certificates) that you submit as part of your application need to be legalised (or “apostilled”) before you submit them. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to your departure (with some exceptions, see ‘Testing on arrival’ above). You will also need to take PCR tests within 24 hours of your arrival and on day 10, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 10 days.
Foreign short-term travellers may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a direct ascendent or descendent (a parent/grandparent or a child/grandchild, not a sibling) and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 10 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
Demonstrating your COVID-19 status: For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London will accept proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
Data collection: Individuals from the abroad will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. Results are usually issued via text message within 1-2 days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. If you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for treatment at home, unless you suffer from certain medical conditions or are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre until you have received two consecutive negative tests. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures.
Some individuals testing positive have, in the past, spent over a month in hospital/ treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. You may face additional costs if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) andMinistry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
•
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.

South Korea Latest News: South Korean government extends COVID-19 travel ban imposed on several African countries; quarantine requirement for all other International arrivals extended until 3 February (29.12.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea (except children under the age of six and individuals with quarantine exemptions for “humanitarian reasons” – i.e. to attend a funeral – or official business reasons) are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate. From 20 January 2022, South Korea requires that the test must have been taken within the 48 hours prior to departure. (Prior to 20 January, the test must have been taken within the 72 hours prior to departure.)
All arrivals – including children under the age of six, and regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
*Quarantine and quarantine exemptions: The default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for 10 days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’. If you’re visiting, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards.
You can apply for a quarantine exemption if you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
Most quarantine exemptions are currently suspended to control the spread of the omicron variant, regardless of your nationality or vaccination status. If you arrive in South Korea without a valid quarantine exemption you will need to quarantine for 10 days.
Quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only if you are resident outside of South Korea, and only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 48 hours prior to your departure (with some exceptions, see ‘Testing on arrival’ above).You will also need to take PCR tests within 24 hours of your arrival and on day 10, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 10 days.
Foreign short-term travellers may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a direct ascendent or descendent (a parent/grandparent or a child/grandchild, not a sibling) and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled”). Certified translations are required for documents not in English.) Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English). All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 10 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
Demonstrating your COVID-19 status: Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
During your quarantine period, the location of your mobile phone will be tracked, and you will be contacted if you leave the place where you are quarantining.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. Results are usually issued via text message within 1-2 days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. If you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for treatment at home, unless you suffer from certain medical conditions or are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If the Korean authorities judge it necessary, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre until you have received two consecutive negative tests. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures.
Some individuals testing positive have, in the past, spent over a month in hospital/ treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. You may face additional costs if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and
Ministry of Health and Welfare< /a> websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang< /a>
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.

South Korea Latest News: South Korean government extends COVID-19 travel ban imposed on several African countries; quarantine requirement for all other International arrivals extended until 3 February (29.12.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing on arrival: All foreign nationals (except children under 6) arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration. From 13 January 2022, South Korea requires that the test must have been taken within the 72 hours prior to departure. (Prior to 13 January, the test must have been issued within the 72 hours prior to departure.).
All arrivals – including children under 6, and regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 24 hours after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
*Quarantine and quarantine exemptions: The default requirement when entering South Korea is to quarantine for 10 days at home (if you are resident in South Korea) or in a government quarantine facility (if you are visiting). You can avoid quarantine entirely if you have a ‘quarantine exemption’. If you’re visiting, you can quarantine with relatives if you can prove your relationship to them and if their accommodation meets certain standards.
You can apply for a quarantine exemption if you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
Most quarantine exemptions are currently suspended to control the spread of the omicron variant, regardless of your nationality or vaccination status. If you arrive in South Korea without a valid quarantine exemption you will need to quarantine for 10 days.
Quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only if you are resident outside of South Korea, and only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse. Any family relationship certificates (i.e. marriage or birth certificates) that you submit as part of your application need to be legalised (or “apostilled”) by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before you submit them. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to your departure. (Pre-departure tests are not required for children under 6). You will also need to take PCR tests within 24 hours of your arrival and on day 10, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 10 days.
Foreign short-term travellers may be able to quarantine with family members under specific circumstances. Your family member must be your spouse or a direct ascendent or descendent (a parent/grandparent or a child/grandchild, not a sibling) and must be resident in Korea (i.e. a Korean national or a foreigner with a long-term stay visa). You must be able to prove your family relationship, for example by showing your ID, a copy of your family member’s Korean ID, and a marriage or birth certificate, which must be legalised (or “apostilled. Certified translations are required for documents not in English.) Your family’s accommodation must meet certain basic standards (typically, they must have a separate bedroom and a separate bathroom for you). Your family must also be available to pick you up from the airport or the quarantine facility. These rules may change at short notice – your family member in Korea should double-check the rules before you travel by calling the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 10 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 status: For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea will accept the proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
During your quarantine period, the location of your mobile phone will be tracked, and you will be contacted if you leave the place where you are quarantining.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. Results are usually issued via text message within 1-2 days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. If you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for treatment at home, unless you suffer from certain medical conditions or are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If you do not meet the criteria for treatment at home, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre until you have received two consecutive negative tests. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures.
Some individuals testing positive have, in the past, spent over a month in hospital/ treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. You may face additional costs if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
r
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City< /a>
• Gwangju City< /a>
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
* If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.

South Korea Latest News: Authorities will require 10-day quarantine for all inbound travelers starting on 3 December (Reuters, 01.12.2021)

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals (except children under 6) arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours prior to departure. All arrivals – including children under 6, and regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can apply for a ‘quarantine exemption’ which allows you to bypass quarantine when entering South Korea. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
Most quarantine exemptions are currently suspended to control the spread of the omicron variant, regardless of your nationality or vaccination status. If you arrive in South Korea without a valid quarantine exemption you will need to quarantine for 10 days.
Quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only if you are resident outside of South Korea, and only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse. Any family relationship certificates (i.e. marriage or birth certificates) that you submit as part of your application need to be legalised (or “apostilled”) by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before you submit them. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to departure (except for children under 6). You will also need to take PCR tests on arrival and on day 6 or 7, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 10 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 10 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW (approximately £75) while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. See Testing positive for COVID-19. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 status: For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London will accept the proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. Results are usually issued via text message within 1-2 days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. If you have no or mild symptoms you will generally be eligible for treatment at home, unless you suffer from certain medical conditions or are unable to sufficiently isolate from others. If you do not meet the criteria for treatment at home, you will be moved to a quarantine centre or a hospital/treatment centre until you have received two consecutive negative tests. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures.
Some individuals testing positive have, in the past, spent over a month in hospital/ treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. You may face additional costs if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
r
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City< /a>
• Gwangju City< /a>
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
* If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.

South Korea Latest News: Authorities will require 10-day quarantine for all inbound travelers starting on 3 December (Reuters, 01.12.2021)

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals (except children under 6) arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours prior to departure.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can apply for a ‘quarantine exemption’ which allows you to bypass quarantine when entering South Korea. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.

Most quarantine exemptions are currently suspended to control the spread of the omicron variant, regardless of your nationality or vaccination status. If you arrive in South Korea without a valid quarantine exemption you will need to quarantine for 10 days.
Quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to departure (except for children under 6). You will also need to take PCR tests on arrival and on day 6 or 7, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 10 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 10 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 status: For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the Embassy of the Republic will accept the proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: All travellers will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
South Korea currently has a four-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status in South Korea: If you were vaccinated in South Korea, you can demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status using the COOV app on your smartphone. If you were vaccinated outside South Korea and recently entered Korea using a Quarantine Exemption Certificate issued by a Korean Embassy overseas, you can take your Quarantine Exemption Certificate to your local health centre to register your vaccination and then can use the COOV app. There is no formal process at present for foreign national residents and visitors to register their overseas vaccination status with the Korean authorities without a Quarantine Exemption Certificate.

South Korea Latest News: Authorities will require 10-day quarantine for all inbound travelers starting on 3 December (Reuters, 01.12.2021)

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours prior to departure. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can apply for a ‘quarantine exemption’ which allows you to bypass quarantine when entering South Korea. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel. Most quarantine exemptions are currently suspended to control the spread of the omicron variant, regardless of your nationality or vaccination status. If you arrive in South Korea without a valid quarantine exemption you will need to quarantine for 10 days. Quarantine exemptions will continue to be issued only for business and academic travellers, government officials, or if you are travelling to Korea for the funeral of a close family member. You can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Family member” is defined as your spouse, a sibling of you or your spouse, or a “lineal” family member (parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren) of you or your spouse. Any family relationship certificates (i.e. marriage or birth certificates) that you submit as part of your application need to be legalised (or “apostilled”) by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before you submit them. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 status: For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London will accept the proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: Individuals from abroad will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
South Korea currently has a four-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status in South Korea: If you were vaccinated in South Korea, you can demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status using the COOV app on your smartphone. If you were vaccinated outside South Korea and recently entered Korea using a Quarantine Exemption Certificate issued by a Korean Embassy overseas, you can take your Quarantine Exemption Certificate to your local health centre to register your vaccination and then can use the COOV app. There is no formal process at present for foreign national residents and visitors to register their overseas vaccination status with the Korean authorities without a Quarantine Exemption Certificate.

South Korea Latest News:

International Restrictions:
*Entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19): Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
-Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours prior to departure. More details can be found on the website of your local South Korean Embassy. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can apply for a ‘quarantine exemption’ which allows you to bypass quarantine when entering South Korea. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
If you have a Korean government-approved official vaccination certificate showing that you had received two vaccine doses in South Korea more than 14 days before you departed from South Korea, you may be exempted from compulsory quarantine on your return. If you were only partially vaccinated in South Korea – for example, if you received one dose in South Korea and a second in the UK – you will not be eligible for this exemption. Arrivals from certain countries are not eligible for this exemption – if you are resident in South Korea, you should check with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency by calling 1339 (support is available in English) before you travel.
If you were vaccinated outside of South Korea and are travelling for “humanitarian” purposes, you can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. “Humanitarian” purposes is defined as attending a funeral or visiting “lineal” family members – parents/grandparents or children/grandchildren, but not siblings. Guidance is available from your local South Korean Embassy. South Korea does not accept marriage certificates or civil partnership documents between same-sex partners for the purposes of applying for a quarantine exemption. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to departure. You will also need to take PCR tests on arrival and on day 6 or 7, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 10 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 10 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 status: For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, the local embassy of the Republic of Korea will request proof of your vaccine status.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. Results are usually issued via text message within 1-2 days.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. If you do not need treatment, you will generally be moved to a quarantine centre until you have received two consecutive negative tests. If you do need treatment, you will be moved to a hospital or treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures.
Individuals testing positive may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. You may face additional costs if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
South Korea currently has a four-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.

If you are travelling to South Korea, plan ahead and make sure you: can access enough money to cover unexpected COVID-19-related costs; understand what your insurance will cover; can make arrangements to extend your stay and be away for longer than planned

South Korea Latest News:

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours prior to departure.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can apply for a ‘quarantine exemption’ which allows you to bypass quarantine when entering South Korea. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
If you have a Korean government-approved official vaccination certificate showing that you had received two vaccine doses in South Korea more than 14 days before you departed from South Korea, you may be exempted from compulsory quarantine on your return. Arrivals from certain countries are not eligible for this exemption – if you are resident in South Korea, you should check with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency by calling 1339 (support is available in English) before you travel.
If you were vaccinated outside of South Korea and are travelling for “humanitarian” purposes (to attend a funeral or to visit family), you can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. Any Foreign family relationship certificates (i.e. marriage or birth certificates) that you submit as part of your application need to be legalised (or “apostilled”). If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to departure. You will also need to take PCR tests on arrival and on day 6 or 7, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status: For the purposes of applying for an exemption from quarantine, check with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in your country. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. Results are usually issued via text message within 1-2 days.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. If you do not need treatment, you will generally be moved to a quarantine centre until you have received two consecutive negative tests. If you do need treatment, you will be moved to a hospital or treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures.
Individuals testing positive may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. You may face additional costs if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
South Korea currently has a four-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
*If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.
If you are travelling to South Korea, plan ahead and make sure you: can access enough money to cover unexpected COVID-19-related costs; understand what your insurance will cover; can make arrangements to extend your stay and be away for longer than planned

South Korea Latest News: Government to allow quarantine-free entry from 1 July to some travelers vaccinated abroad (Reuters, 13.06.2021)

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours prior to departure.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. If you are not resident in South Korea, you will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can apply for a ‘quarantine exemption’ which allows you to bypass quarantine when entering South Korea. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
If you have a Korean government-approved official vaccination certificate showing that you had received two vaccine doses in South Korea more than 14 days before you departed from South Korea, you may be exempted from compulsory quarantine on your return. Arrivals from certain countries are not eligible for this exemption – if you are resident in South Korea, you should check with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency by calling 1339 (support is available in English) before you travel.
If you were vaccinated outside of South Korea and are travelling for “humanitarian” purposes (to attend a funeral or to visit family), you can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. Any Foreign family relationship certificates (i.e. marriage or birth certificates) that you submit as part of your application need to be legalised (or “apostilled”). If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to departure. You will also need to take PCR tests on arrival and on day 6 or 7, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 from inside South Korea (support is available in English).
Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status: Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Testing positive for COVID-19: If you think you might have COVID-19 while in South Korea, you should self-isolate immediately and contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 for guidance (support is available in English). Outdoor sites where you can receive a free test are common in most cities. Results are usually issued via text message within 1-2 days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. If you do not need treatment, you will generally be moved to a quarantine centre until you have received two consecutive negative tests. If you do need treatment, you will be moved to a hospital or treatment centre. There is currently no charge for quarantine centre stays or for medical care in a hospital/treatment centre as long as you have not violated any quarantine measures.
Individuals testing positive may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. You may face additional costs if you have to rearrange your travel.
Anyone displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for the cost of your treatment and for any economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
South Korea currently has a four-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
and Ministry of Health and Welfare
websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• SouthGyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju
If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to enter a quarantine facility or hospital until you test negative. This could cause a significant delay to your travel plans.
If you are travelling to South Korea, plan ahead and make sure you: can access enough money to cover unexpected COVID-19-related costs; understand what your insurance will cover; can make arrangements to extend your stay and be away for longer than planned

South Korea Latest News: Government to allow quarantine-free entry from 1 July to some travelers vaccinated abroad (Reuters, 13.06.2021)

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can apply for a ‘quarantine exemption’ which allows you to bypass quarantine when entering South Korea. The process of applying for a quarantine exemption varies depending on where you were vaccinated and the purpose of your travel.
If you have a Korean government-approved official vaccination certificate showing that you had received two vaccine doses in South Korea more than 14 days before you departed from South Korea, you may be exempted from compulsory quarantine on your return. Arrivals from South Africa and Brazil are not eligible for this exemption.
If you were vaccinated outside of South Korea and are travelling for “humanitarian” purposes (to attend a funeral or to visit family) as of 1 July you can apply for a quarantine exemption via the Korean Embassy in the country where you were vaccinated. Guidance is available from the . Some documents required for your application need to be legalised (aka “apostilled”) by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before you submit them. If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries; if you are travelling for business, your employer can apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean).
Even if you have a quarantine exemption, on arrival in Korea you will need to submit a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to departure. You will also need to take PCR tests on arrival and on day 6 or 7, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app.
*Quarantine is mandatory if you do not have a quarantine exemption. Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home for 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW in government quarantine facilities.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment foreigner nationals testing positive for COVID-19. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
Any travellers displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and the individual may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. There is a limited exception to this rule if you have received at least one vaccine shot, are outside, can maintain at least a 2 metre distance from others, and are outside of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi.
South Korea currently has a four-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju

South Korea Latest News: Government to allow quarantine-free entry from 1 July to some travelers vaccinated abroad (Reuters, 13.06.2021)

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. More details can be found on the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London website.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
Travellers with a Korean government-approved official vaccination certificate showing that they have received two vaccine doses in South Korea more than 14 days before their departure from the country may be exempted from compulsory quarantine on their return. Those exempted need to comply with active health monitoring through an app, undertake two compulsory COVID tests and limit some activities for a 14 day period. Arrivals from South Africa and Brazil are not eligible for this exemption.
Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, but without an official Korean government-approved vaccination certificate, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers without a Korean government-approved vaccination certificate must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. South Korea plans to recognise vaccination certificates from other countries from 1 July as discussed above.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for foreign nationals testing positive for COVID-19. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
Any travellers displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and the individual may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
As of 1 July, if you are fully vaccinated and travelling for business, academic or humanitarian purposes, you are eligible to receive a quarantine exemption even if you received your vaccination outside South Korea.
Please note that:
• To be eligible, you will need to have been fully vaccinated two weeks before entering Korea, and to have received a
vaccine authorised for emergency use by the WHO (all vaccines have been authorised by the WHO)
• If you were vaccinated outside your country, you will need to apply through the Korean Embassy in the country where you received your vaccination
• Exemptions will not be available if you are travelling from South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Equatorial Guinea, Brazil, Suriname, Paraguay or Chile
• Exemptions will be available for unvaccinated children under age 6 who are travelling with their parents, but not for unvaccinated children aged 6-18
• You will only be able to travel for “humanitarian purposes” in order to attend a funeral (within 14 days) or to visit family
• Not all family members qualify – you will be able to visit your spouse and anyone in you or your spouse’s “direct lineage”, meaning parents or grandparents and children or grandchildren, but not siblings
• If visiting family, you will need to include in your application proof of your relationship to your family member and proof that they are a legal, long-term resident in Korea
• If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you will need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries
If you are travelling for business, your employer will be able to apply Business Support Centre through the (in Korean)
• You will still need to submit a PCR test result on arrival, take a PCR test on arrival and on day 6 or 7, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status: Demonstrating your vaccination status is not formalised for entry into South Korea, so you should follow alternative advice for entry. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app. Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. There is a limited exception to this rule if you have received at least one vaccine shot, are outside, can maintain at least a 2 metre distance from others, and are outside of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi.
South Korea currently has a four-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju

South Korea Latest News: Government to allow quarantine-free entry from 1 July to some travelers vaccinated abroad (Reuters, 13.06.2021)

International Restrictions:
Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured.
Travellers with a Korean government-approved official vaccination certificate showing that they have received two vaccine doses in South Korea more than 14 days before their departure from the country may be exempted from compulsory quarantine on their return. Those exempted need to comply with active health monitoring through an app, undertake two compulsory COVID tests and limit some activities for a 14 day period. Arrivals from South Africa and Brazil are not eligible for this exemption.
Korean nationals and long-term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, but without an official Korean government-approved vaccination certificate, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers without a Korean government-approved vaccination certificate must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. South Korea plans to recognise vaccination certificates from other countries from 1 July as discussed above.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for foreign nationals testing positive for COVID-19. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
Any travellers displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and the individual may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339 (support is available in English).
From 1 July, if you are fully vaccinated and travelling for business, academic or humanitarian purposes, you will be eligible to receive a quarantine exemption even if you received your vaccination outside South Korea. Please note that:
• To be eligible, you will need to have been fully vaccinated two weeks before entering Korea, and to have received a vaccine authorised for emergency use by the WHO
• If you were vaccinated outside your country, you will need to apply through the Korean Embassy in the country where you received your vaccination
• Exemptions will not be available if you are travelling from South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Equatorial Guinea, Brazil, Suriname, Paraguay or Chile
• Exemptions will be available for unvaccinated children under age 6 who are travelling with their parents, but not for unvaccinated children aged 6-18
• You will only be able to travel for “humanitarian purposes” in order to attend a funeral (within 14 days) or to visit family
• Not all family members qualify – you will be able to visit your spouse and anyone in you or your spouse’s “direct lineage”, meaning parents or grandparents and children or grandchildren, but not siblings
• If visiting family, you will need to include in your application proof of your relationship to your family member and proof that they are a legal, long-term resident in Korea
• If you are travelling for business or academic purposes, you will need to obtain special approval from the relevant Korean ministries
If you are travelling for business, your employer will be able to apply through the Business Support Centre (in Korean)
• You will still need to submit a PCR test result on arrival, take a PCR test on arrival and on day 6 or 7, and comply with active health monitoring through the Korean government app
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status: Demonstrating your vaccination status is not formalised for entry into South Korea, so you should follow alternative advice for entry. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile app.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean.
South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and
Ministry of Health and Welfare
websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju

South Korea 1. Short-term visas (type C-1 and C-3) issued on or before 5 April 2020 are no longer valid.

2. 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.

3. Suspension of visa exemptions for nationals of Japan.

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

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

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

7. Passengers are subject to quarantine for 14 days. – This does not apply to passengers arriving from a country other than Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Equatorial Guinea,
Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Paraguay, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania or Zimbabwe with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate stating that they received the vaccine in Korea (Rep.)
at least 2 weeks before departure.

8. Passengers are subject to a PCR test for COVID-19 within 3 days after arrival.

9. Passengers must complete a “Health Declaration Form” and a “Travel Record Declaration” and present it upon arrival. The forms can be obtained upon arrival.

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

11. Passengers are not allowed to transit through Korea (Rep.) for more than 24 hours.

12. 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.

13. 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.

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

15. Passengers with an E-9 visa issued by Korea (Rep.) must present a completed ‘Confirmation of Self-quarantine’ form upon arrival. The form can be obtained at the local EPS
center.

16. Passengers must have a printed negative COVID-19 test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point. Tests accepted are: LAMP, PCR, SDA and
TMA tests. The test result must be in English, Korean or accompanied by a certified English or Korean translation. The test result must have the name of the passenger which must
match the name in the passport, the date of birth and the name of the issuing laboratory. Passengers arriving from the Philippines must have a test result issued by an approved
laboratory and details can be found at the Korean (Rep.) Embassy website in those countries. – This does not apply to: – nationals of Korea (Rep.); – passengers who are 5 years or
younger.

17. Nationals of Korea (Rep.) without a printed negative COVID-19 LAMP, PCR, SDA or TMA test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point: –
must have an “Agreement to Facility Quarantine” form. The form can be obtained at check-in or at https://nqs.cdc.go.kr/nqs/quaStation/incheonAirport.do?gubun=notice; and – are
subject to quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. – This does not apply to passengers who are 5 years or younger.

South Korea Latest News: South Korean government will partially lift ban on direct flights from U.K. on 9 May (The Korea Bizwire, 26.04.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. You can find more details at your nearest Republic of Korea Embassy.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. From 7 May, travellers with a Korean government-approved official vaccination certificate showing that they have received two vaccine doses in South Korea more than 14 days before their departure from the country may be exempted from compulsory quarantine on their return. Those exempted will need to comply with active health monitoring through an app, undertake two compulsory COVID tests and limit some activities for a 14 day period. Arrivals from South Africa and Brazil will not be eligible for this exemption. Travellers with vaccination certificates from countries other than South Korea are not currently eligible for an automatic quarantine exemption. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339.
Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, but without an official Korean government-approved vaccination certificate, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.All other foreign short-term travellers without a Korean government-approved vaccination certificate must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for British nationals testing positive for COVID-19. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
Any travellers displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and the individual may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and here Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:

• Seoul Metropolitan government;
• Busan Metropolitan City;
• Daegu Metropolitan City;
• Incheon Metropolitan City;
• Gwangju City;
• Daejeon Metropolitan City;
• Ulsan Metropolitan City;
• Sejong City;
• North Chungcheong;
• South Chungcheong;
• Gangwon;
• Gyeonggi;
• North Gyeongsan;
• South Gyeongsang;
• North Jeolla;
• South Jeolla;
• Jeju.

South Korea Latest News: South Korean government will partially lift ban on direct flights from U.K. on 9 May (The Korea Bizwire, 26.04.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. You can find more details at your nearest Republic of Korea Embassy.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. From 7 May, travellers with a Korean government-approved official vaccination certificate showing that they have received two vaccine doses in South Korea more than 14 days before their departure from the country may be exempted from compulsory quarantine on their return. Those exempted will need to comply with active health monitoring through an app, undertake two compulsory COVID tests and limit some activities for a 14 day period. Arrivals from South Africa and Brazil will not be eligible for this exemption. Travellers with vaccination certificates from countries other than South Korea are not currently eligible for an automatic quarantine exemption. For more information contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on 1339.
Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, but without an official Korean government-approved vaccination certificate, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.All other foreign short-term travellers without a Korean government-approved vaccination certificate must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for British nationals testing positive for COVID-19. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
Any travellers displaying symptoms or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and the individual may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA)
and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government;
• Busan Metropolitan City;
• Daegu Metropolitan City;
• Incheon Metropolitan City;
• Gwangju City;
• Daejeon Metropolitan City;
• Ulsan Metropolitan City;
• Sejong City;
• North Chungcheong;
• South Chungcheong;
• Gangwon;
• Gyeonggi;
• North Gyeongsan;
• South Gyeongsang;
• North Jeolla;
• South Jeolla;
• Jeju.

South Korea Latest News: South Korea government extends suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 22 April (Gov.UK, 02.04.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. More details can be found on the Republic of Korea Embassy in London website.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. All must then quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. Those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for British nationals testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale.
Mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing for foreign workers has been introduced in Seoul and some provinces, including Gyeonggi and South Jeolla. Fines may be imposed for violation of these local regulations. You should check and follow the information on the local government websites below. The British Embassy has raised concerns about this directive with the South Korean government, as well as with local administrations.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government;
• Busan Metropolitan City;
• Daegu Metropolitan City;
• Incheon Metropolitan City;
• Gwangju City;
• Daejeon Metropolitan City;
• Ulsan Metropolitan City;
• Sejong City;
• North Chungcheong;
• South Chungcheong;
• Gangwon;
• Gyeonggi;
• North Gyeongsan;
• South Gyeongsang;
• North Jeolla;
• South Jeolla;
• Jeju.

South Korea Latest News: South Korea government extends suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 11 March (Yonhap, 24.02.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. All must then quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. Those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for British nationals testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won.
South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale.
Mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing for foreign workers has been introduced in Seoul and some provinces, including Gyeonggi and South Jeolla. Fines may be imposed for violation of these local regulations. You should check and follow the information on the local government websites below. The British Embassy has raised concerns about this directive with the South Korean government, as well as with local administrations.
For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government;
• Busan Metropolitan City;
• Daegu Metropolitan City;
• Incheon Metropolitan City;
• Gwangju City;
• Daejeon Metropolitan City;
• Ulsan Metropolitan City;
• Sejong City;
• North Chungcheong;
• South Chungcheong;
• Gangwon;
• Gyeonggi;
• North Gyeongsan;
• South Gyeongsang;
• North Jeolla;
• South Jeolla;
• Jeju.

South Korea Latest News: South Korea government extends suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 11 March (Yonhap, 24.02.2021). South Korea’s authorities extend ban on flights from U.K. by one week, require negative COVID-19 test from arrivals from Brazil (Yonhap, 19.01.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. More details can be found on the Republic of Korea Embassy in London website. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. All must then quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. Those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for British nationals testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government;
• Busan Metropolitan City;
• Daegu Metropolitan City;
• Incheon Metropolitan City;
• Gwangju City;
• Daejeon Metropolitan City;
• Ulsan Metropolitan City;
• Sejong City;
• North Chungcheong;
• South Chungcheong;
• Gangwon;
• Gyeonggi;
• North Gyeongsan;
• South Gyeongsang;
• North Jeolla;
• South Jeolla;
• Jeju.

South Korea Latest News: South Korea’s authorities extend suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 11 February because of new COVID-19 (Korea Herald, 27.01.2021). Authorities extend suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 28 January (Gov.UK, 20.01.2021). South Korea’s authorities extend ban on flights from U.K. by one week, require negative COVID-19 test from arrivals from Brazil (Yonhap, 19.01.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. More details can be found on the Republic of Korea Embassy in London website. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. All must then quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. Those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for British nationals testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment, deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government;
• Busan Metropolitan City;
• Daegu Metropolitan City;
• Incheon Metropolitan City;
• Gwangju City;
• Daejeon Metropolitan City;
• Ulsan Metropolitan City;
• Sejong City;
• North Chungcheong;
• South Chungcheong;
• Gangwon;
• Gyeonggi;
• North Gyeongsan;
• South Gyeongsang;
• North Jeolla;
• South Jeolla;
• Jeju.

South Korea Latest News: South Korea’s authorities extend suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 11 February because of new COVID-19 (Korea Herald, 27.01.2021). Authorities extend suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 28 January (Gov.UK, 20.01.2021). South Korea’s authorities extend ban on flights from U.K. by one week, require negative COVID-19 test from arrivals from Brazil (Yonhap, 19.01.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19): *Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. More details can be found from the local South Korean Embassy. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. All must then quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. Those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for British nationals testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on theGovernment of the Republic of Korea website .
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone num ber will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations in COVID-19 restrictions and requirements on metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government;
• Busan Metropolitan City;
• Daegu Metropolitan City;
• Incheon Metropolitan City;
• Gwangju City;
• Daejeon Metropolitan City;
• Ulsan Metropolitan City;
• Sejong City;
• North Chungcheong;
• South Chungcheong;
• Gangwon;
• Gyeonggi;
• North Gyeongsan;
• South Gyeongsang;
• North Jeolla;
• South Jeolla;
• Jeju.

South Korea Latest News: Authorities extend suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 28 January (Gov.UK, 20.01.2021). South Korea’s authorities extend ban on flights from U.K. by one week, require negative COVID-19 test from arrivals from Brazil (Yonhap, 19.01.2021).

International Restrictions:
*International travel: On 15 January the Government of the Republic of Korea announced that the temporary suspension of direct flights from the UK to South Korea will be extended until 28 January 2021.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea by air are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. The same requirement will apply from 15 January 2021 to all foreign nationals arriving in South Korea by sea. More details can be found from the local South Korean Embassy.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. All must then begin quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW (USD 110 approx) while in government quarantine facilities.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
South Korean officials have expanded tighter gathering and business restrictions to the entire country as of 5 January. Authorities also extended the measures, previously only in effect for the Greater Seoul region, through 17 January. Under the enhanced restrictions, the central government bans private groups of more than four people. However, officials have allowed winter recreation facilities, such as ski slopes, to reopen, though they must limit customers to one-third capacity. These venues must close 2100-0500 daily; hotels can continue to accommodate up to 50 percent of guest capacity. Many tourist attractions and national parks remain closed. Authorities will also require all inbound foreigners to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken within 72 hours of departure starting 8 January. Restaurants can only host patrons until 2100 daily; takeaway and delivery service can continue. High-risk entertainment facilities, including nightclubs and bars, must close. Authorities only allow one-third of students at most government schools; two-thirds of students can attend high school. Tighter measures continue in Greater Seoul, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, which remain under Level 2.5, the second-highest level. Authorities also continue to prohibit spectators at sporting events and in-person services at cafes. Many public establishments, including department stores, private schools, in-person dining, and entertainment facilities, must close by 2100. Evening bus and subway services operate at 70-percent of regular services after 2100 daily. Schools in Seoul have suspended in-person classes. The government requires individuals nationwide to wear facemasks on public transportation, in most public indoor areas, and at large gatherings. Officials will issue a fine of KRW 100,000 (USD 92) for individuals not wearing or improperly wearing facemasks. High-risk businesses are required to participate in a contact tracing-system requiring personnel to scan a quick response (QR) code before allowing patrons to enter establishments. Owners can manually record contact information if necessary. Businesses must also enforce facemask requirements on their premises. Officials could suspend operations or issue fines of up to KRW 3 million (USD 2,760) for companies violating the order. Temporary business closures are likely to occur at any establishments where employees or patrons test positive for COVID-19. Several major industrial plants and offices have temporarily closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19; further disruptions are likely at facilities where outbreaks occur. Officials continue to ban cruise ships from docking at ports in the country, including Jeju. Busan requires vessels carrying seafarers who are nationals of or have travel history to Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and Uzbekistan entering Gamcheon Port to use the QR code system to enhance contact tracing for crew members. Korean air carriers are gradually resuming flight operations, but service remains limited. International flight disruptions are likely to continue amid decreased demand.

*Public spaces and services: Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements should the level rise you should check the South KoreaDisease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) andMinistry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations on the COVID-19 response on the metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju

South Korea Latest News: Authorities extend suspension of direct flights from U.K. until 21 January (SME Times, 06.01.2021).

International Restrictions:
*Testing / screening on arrival: All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea by air are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. The same requirement will apply from 15 January 2021 to all foreign nationals arriving in South Korea by sea. More details can be found from the local South Korean Embassy.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. All must then begin quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of 120,000KRW (USD 110 approx) while in government quarantine facilities.
There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
South Korean officials have expanded tighter gathering and business restrictions to the entire country as of 5 January. Authorities also extended the measures, previously only in effect for the Greater Seoul region, through 17 January. Under the enhanced restrictions, the central government bans private groups of more than four people. However, officials have allowed winter recreation facilities, such as ski slopes, to reopen, though they must limit customers to one-third capacity. These venues must close 2100-0500 daily; hotels can continue to accommodate up to 50 percent of guest capacity. Many tourist attractions and national parks remain closed. Authorities will also require all inbound foreigners to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken within 72 hours of departure starting 8 January. Restaurants can only host patrons until 2100 daily; takeaway and delivery service can continue. High-risk entertainment facilities, including nightclubs and bars, must close. Authorities only allow one-third of students at most government schools; two-thirds of students can attend high school. Tighter measures continue in Greater Seoul, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, which remain under Level 2.5, the second-highest level. Authorities also continue to prohibit spectators at sporting events and in-person services at cafes. Many public establishments, including department stores, private schools, in-person dining, and entertainment facilities, must close by 2100. Evening bus and subway services operate at 70-percent of regular services after 2100 daily. Schools in Seoul have suspended in-person classes. The government requires individuals nationwide to wear facemasks on public transportation, in most public indoor areas, and at large gatherings. Officials will issue a fine of KRW 100,000 (USD 92) for individuals not wearing or improperly wearing facemasks. High-risk businesses are required to participate in a contact tracing-system requiring personnel to scan a quick response (QR) code before allowing patrons to enter establishments. Owners can manually record contact information if necessary. Businesses must also enforce facemask requirements on their premises. Officials could suspend operations or issue fines of up to KRW 3 million (USD 2,760) for companies violating the order. Temporary business closures are likely to occur at any establishments where employees or patrons test positive for COVID-19. Several major industrial plants and offices have temporarily closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19; further disruptions are likely at facilities where outbreaks occur. Officials continue to ban cruise ships from docking at ports in the country, including Jeju. Busan requires vessels carrying seafarers who are nationals of or have travel history to Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and Uzbekistan entering Gamcheon Port to use the QR code system to enhance contact tracing for crew members. Korean air carriers are gradually resuming flight operations, but service remains limited. International flight disruptions are likely to continue amid decreased demand.

*Public spaces and services:
Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements should the level rise you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations on the metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju

South Korea Latest News: Government extends ban on direct flights from U.K. until 7 January 2021 (VoA, 28.12.2020). South Korean health authorities suspend inbound, outbound U.K. flights through 31 December (Xinhua, 23.12.2020).

International Restrictions:
Officials continue to suspend direct flights from the UK through at least Jan. 7. South Korea flights to the UK continue to operate, though disruptions are likely. Passengers from South Africa and the UK can still enter South Korea; however, officials have suspended visa issuance for these countries, except for diplomatic, official, and humanitarian purposes. Additionally, the government is no longer issuing exceptions to quarantine requirements through at least Jan. 17; arrivals from South Africa and the UK must undergo a 14-day quarantine, usually in hotels or residences. Passengers traveling from or transiting South Africa or the UK, regardless of nationality, must also present confirmation of a negative PCR COVID-19 test result.
*Entry to South Korea: South Korea has resumed most transportation options, (including airport operations and re-opening of borders). Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea. Direct flights from UK to South Korea are temporarily suspended until 7 January 2021. From 1 January 2021 all arrivals entering South Korea from the UK will be required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 48 hours of departure.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: From 1 January 2021, all arrivals entering South Korea from the UK will be required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 48 hours of departure.
From 8 January 2021, all foreign nationals arriving in South Korea by air will be required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 48 hours of departure. The same requirement will apply from 15 January 2021 to all foreign nationals arriving in South Korea by sea. Further information is available in the KDCA press release.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are also required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) after entering South Korea. Arrivals will be taken for testing and must remain at the testing facility until a negative result has been secured. All must then begin quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Data collection: Individuals from the UK will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
South Korean officials have expanded tighter gathering and business restrictions to the entire country as of 5 January. Authorities also extended the measures, previously only in effect for the Greater Seoul region, through 17 January. Under the enhanced restrictions, the central government bans private groups of more than four people. However, officials have allowed winter recreation facilities, such as ski slopes, to reopen, though they must limit customers to one-third capacity. These venues must close 2100-0500 daily; hotels can continue to accommodate up to 50 percent of guest capacity. Many tourist attractions and national parks remain closed. Authorities will also require all inbound foreigners to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken within 72 hours of departure starting 8 January. Restaurants can only host patrons until 2100 daily; takeaway and delivery service can continue. High-risk entertainment facilities, including nightclubs and bars, must close. Authorities only allow one-third of students at most government schools; two-thirds of students can attend high school. Tighter measures continue in Greater Seoul, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, which remain under Level 2.5, the second-highest level. Authorities also continue to prohibit spectators at sporting events and in-person services at cafes. Many public establishments, including department stores, private schools, in-person dining, and entertainment facilities, must close by 2100. Evening bus and subway services operate at 70-percent of regular services after 2100 daily. Schools in Seoul have suspended in-person classes. The government requires individuals nationwide to wear facemasks on public transportation, in most public indoor areas, and at large gatherings. Officials will issue a fine of KRW 100,000 (USD 92) for individuals not wearing or improperly wearing facemasks. High-risk businesses are required to participate in a contact tracing-system requiring personnel to scan a quick response (QR) code before allowing patrons to enter establishments. Owners can manually record contact information if necessary. Businesses must also enforce facemask requirements on their premises. Officials could suspend operations or issue fines of up to KRW 3 million (USD 2,760) for companies violating the order. Temporary business closures are likely to occur at any establishments where employees or patrons test positive for COVID-19. Several major industrial plants and offices have temporarily closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19; further disruptions are likely at facilities where outbreaks occur. Officials continue to ban cruise ships from docking at ports in the country, including Jeju. Busan requires vessels carrying seafarers who are nationals of or have travel history to Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and Uzbekistan entering Gamcheon Port to use the QR code system to enhance contact tracing for crew members. Korean air carriers are gradually resuming flight operations, but service remains limited. International flight disruptions are likely to continue amid decreased demand.

*Public spaces and services:
Face masks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements should the level rise you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations on the metropolitan and provincial government websites as follows:
• Seoul Metropolitan government
• Busan Metropolitan City
• Daegu Metropolitan City
• Incheon Metropolitan City
• Gwangju City
• Daejeon Metropolitan City
• Ulsan Metropolitan City
• Sejong City
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju

South Korea Latest News: Government extends ban on direct flights from U.K. until 7 January 2021 (VoA, 28.12.2020). South Korean health authorities suspend inbound, outbound U.K. flights through 31 December (Xinhua, 23.12.2020).

International Restrictions:
*Entry to South Korea: South Korea has resumed most transportation options, (including airport operations and re-opening of borders). Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea. Direct flights from UK to South Korea are temporarily suspended until 7 January 2021. From 1 January 2021 all arrivals entering South Korea from the UK will be required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 48 hours of departure.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.

South Korea International Restrictions:
*Entry to South Korea: South Korea has resumed most transportation options, (including airport operations and re-opening of borders). Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Data collection: There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. You must receive approval before you travel from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea where you are. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services:
Facemasks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements should the level rise you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations on provincial websites as follows:
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju

South Korea International Restrictions:
*Entry to South Korea: Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Data collection: There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. You must receive approval before you travel from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea where you are. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services:
Facemasks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions and requirements should the level rise you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You can find information on any local variations on provincial websites as follows:
• North Chungcheong
• South Chungcheong
• Gangwon
• Gyeonggi
• North Gyeongsan
• South Gyeongsang
• North Jeolla
• South Jeolla
• Jeju

South Korea International Restrictions:
*Entry to South Korea: Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Data collection: There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. You must receive approval before you travel from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea where you are. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Facemasks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea currently has a five-level national social distancing scale. The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that from midnight Thursday 19 November until midnight Wednesday 2 December, social distancing level 1.5 will be implemented in Seoul city and neighbouring Gyeong-gi Province, with Incheon moving to the same level (1.5) from Monday 23 November.
For full details of the current restrictions, any local variations, and requirements should the level rise you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You should continue to monitor the KDCA website and follow local guidance.

South Korea International Restrictions:
*Entry to South Korea: Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Data collection: There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. You must receive approval before you travel from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea where you are. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
*Public spaces and services: Facemasks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won. South Korea is currently at level 1 on its five-level national social distancing scale. Under this level facemasks are compulsory in most public places and on transport, and local authorities are able to impose their own restrictions in some circumstances. For full details of the current restrictions, any local variations, and requirements should the level rise you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English). You should continue to monitor the KDCA website and follow local guidance.

South Korea International Restrictions:
*Entry to South Korea: Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Data collection: There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. You must receive approval before you travel from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea where you are. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
Facemasks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won (£66). South Korea is currently at level 1 on its three-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions, and any local variations, you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare website (English). You should continue to monitor the KDCA website and follow local guidance.

South Korea *****International Restrictions:
Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea. **Transiting in South Korea: Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. Individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=] There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Many public buildings, as well as public transport and airlines, require masks to be worn. On 23 August, due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases, the South Korean government raised its social distancing requirements to Level 2 in its three-tier system across the country. Additional social distancing measures have been introduced for Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi areas, effective from 30 August to 6 September. For full details check the South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) .[https://is.cdc.go.kr/upload_comm/syview/doc.html? fn=159765107610200.pdf&rs=/upload_comm/docu/0030/]. website (English). You should continue to monitor the KCDC website and follow local guidance.

South Korea *****International Restrictions:
Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea. **Transiting in South Korea: Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. Individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=] There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Many public buildings, as well as public transport and airlines, require masks to be worn. On 15 August, due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases, the South Korean government raised its social distancing requirements to Level 2 in its three-tier system for Seoul and neighbouring Gyeonggi province. For full details check the South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) website (English). You should continue to monitor the KCDC website and follow local guidance.[https://is.cdc.go.kr/upload_comm/syview/doc.html?fn=159765107610200.pdf&rs=/upload_comm/docu/0030/].

South Korea *****International Restrictions:
From 10 August foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are permitted to enter South Korea. The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement on Sunday, June 21, announcing they plan to limit the number of foreign nationals entering South Korea through a temporary restriction on visas and a ban on non-scheduled flights. Exceptions will be made for government officials and essential business trips.
From 1 June 2020, foreign nationals residing in South Korea on most types of long-term visa will need to apply for a re-entry permit at a local immigration office or at the airport before undertaking any travel out of South Korea. Those travelling with a re-entry permit will also be required to have a medical examination no earlier than 48 hours before they plan to return to South Korea, and to obtain a medical certificate in English or Korean to present to the Korean authorities on their arrival. The medical certificate must be signed by a medical professional at a recognised medical institution and include the date of the medical examination and either confirmation of a negative test for COVID-19 or a record of the presence or absence of fever, cough, chills, headache, breathing difficulty, muscle pain, and pulmonary symptoms. Long-term visa holders seeking to return to South Korea without a medical certificate may be refused entry. Long-term visa holders leaving South Korea without a re-entry permit will have their visa and Alien Registration Card cancelled and will need to obtain a new long-term visa before they can re-enter South Korea. Exceptions to this requirement include holders of A-1, A-2, A-3 and F-4 visas, or those issued with an Isolation Exemption Certificate by a Korean Embassy or consulate overseas. For further information, call the Korean Immigration Contact Centre (Tel: 1345) or see the official announcement here.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre.
For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=]
There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Many public buildings, as well as public transport and airlines, require masks to be worn. On 15 August, due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases, the South Korean government raised its social distancing requirements to Level 2 in its three-tier system for Seoul and neighbouring Gyeonggi province. For full details check the South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) website [https://is.cdc.go.kr/upload_comm/syview/doc.html?fn=159765107610200.pdf&rs=/upload_comm/docu/0030/].

South Korea The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement on Sunday, June 21, announcing they plan to limit the number of foreign nationals entering South Korea through a temporary restriction on visas and a ban on non-scheduled flights. Exceptions will be made for government officials and essential business trips.

*****International Restrictions:
From 10 August foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are permitted to enter South Korea.
From 1 June 2020, foreign nationals residing in South Korea on most types of long-term visa will need to apply for a re-entry permit at a local immigration office or at the airport before undertaking any travel out of South Korea. Those travelling with a re-entry permit will also be required to have a medical examination no earlier than 48 hours before they plan to return to South Korea, and to obtain a medical certificate in English or Korean to present to the Korean authorities on their arrival. The medical certificate must be signed by a medical professional at a recognised medical institution and include the date of the medical examination and either confirmation of a negative test for COVID-19 or a record of the presence or absence of fever, cough, chills, headache, breathing difficulty, muscle pain, and pulmonary symptoms. Long-term visa holders seeking to return to South Korea without a medical certificate may be refused entry. Long-term visa holders leaving South Korea without a re-entry permit will have their visa and Alien Registration Card cancelled and will need to obtain a new long-term visa before they can re-enter South Korea. Exceptions to this requirement include holders of A-1, A-2, A-3 and F-4 visas, or those issued with an Isolation Exemption Certificate by a Korean Embassy or consulate overseas. For further information, call the Korean Immigration Contact Centre (Tel: 1345) or see the official announcement here.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre.
For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=]
There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Masks are now compulsory in all ROK modes of public transportation (including taxis and domestic/international flights). Drivers and pilots are authorized to deny passengers who refuse to wear a mask.

South Korea The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement on Sunday, June 21, announcing they plan to limit the number of foreign nationals entering South Korea through a temporary restriction on visas and a ban on non-scheduled flights. Exceptions will be made for government officials and essential business trips.

*****International Restrictions:
Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea.
From 1 June 2020, foreign nationals residing in South Korea on most types of long-term visa will need to apply for a re-entry permit at a local immigration office or at the airport before undertaking any travel out of South Korea. Those travelling with a re-entry permit will also be required to have a medical examination no earlier than 48 hours before they plan to return to South Korea, and to obtain a medical certificate in English or Korean to present to the Korean authorities on their arrival. The medical certificate must be signed by a medical professional at a recognised medical institution and include the date of the medical examination and either confirmation of a negative test for COVID-19 or a record of the presence or absence of fever, cough, chills, headache, breathing difficulty, muscle pain, and pulmonary symptoms. Long-term visa holders seeking to return to South Korea without a medical certificate may be refused entry. Long-term visa holders leaving South Korea without a re-entry permit will have their visa and Alien Registration Card cancelled and will need to obtain a new long-term visa before they can re-enter South Korea. Exceptions to this requirement include holders of A-1, A-2, A-3 and F-4 visas, or those issued with an Isolation Exemption Certificate by a Korean Embassy or consulate overseas. For further information, call the Korean Immigration Contact Centre (Tel: 1345) or see the official announcement here.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre.
For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=]
There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

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Internal restrictions:

Masks are now compulsory in all ROK modes of public transportation (including taxis and domestic/international flights). Drivers and pilots are authorized to deny passengers who refuse to wear a mask.

South Korea Short-term visas (type C-1 and C-3) issued on or before 5 April are invalidated. 2. Visa exemptions for 90 nationalities with normal passport are temporarily suspended. – This does not apply to airline crew. – This does not apply to passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card. 3. Korean visas issued by the Wuhan Consulate in the Hubei Province are invalidated. 4. Visitors who have been in the Hubei Province (China People’s Rep.) in the past 14 days are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.). 5. Nationals of China (People’s Rep.) with a passport issued in the Hubei Province are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.). 6. Passengers arriving from China (People’s Rep) must have a visa issued by Korea (Rep.) to transit through Korea (Rep.). – This not apply to nationals of Albania, Andorra, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Ireland (Rep.), Korea (Rep.), Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Palau, San Marino, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, USA, Vatican City (Holy See) and Venezuela. – This not apply to passengers with a British passport. – This does not apply to passengers with a diplomatic, consular, official, service or special passport. 7. All passengers are subject to mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days. – This does not apply to airline crew. 8. Nationals and residents of Korea (Rep.) are required to install ‘Self-quarantine safety protection mobile app’. 9. Passengers and airline crew must install ‘Self-diagnosis Mobile App’ in their personal device and a completed Health Declaration Form and a Special Quarantine Declaration Form must be presented to the quarantine desk upon arrival. Effective 17 April 2020 at 20:00h: 1. All flights must arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN) between 5:00 and 20:00. All passengers arriving in South Korea from overseas will be required to undergo two weeks of self-isolation.Those without local residence in South Korea will be quarantined at a government facility with a cost of approximately KRW100,000 per day. Mandatory testing of COVID-19 and 14-day quarantine is required for travellers (regardless of nationality) arriving from Europe. From 30 March, airlines are required to check the body temperature of all travellers to South Korea prior to departure. Travellers with a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius will be denied entry. From 28 March, all travellers arriving from Europe or the US are advised to use private vehicles to transit to their place of residence from the airport. Those who do not have access to private vehicles are to use designated buses and trains allocated for these travellers. Travellers with symptoms of COVID-19 will be escorted to an isolation facility for further COVID-19 testing (travellers without symptoms will also be tested for COVID-19 in a separate facility). If test results are positive, patients will be escorted to designated hospitals or other medical facilities for treatment. All violators (incl. foreigners) of the self-quarantine requirement will be punished by relevant statutory law. International travellers can transit if they do not clear immigration and stay within the transit area for up to 24 hours.

Internal restrictions:

The country’s COVID-19 alert level has remained at RED (the highest on a four-tier scale) since 23 February. The country has officially shifted from ‘social distancing’ to ‘everyday life quarantine’ from 6 May. Businesses are allowed to resume at facilities in phases and gatherings are allowed to take place, following disinfection guidelines. After a new cluster was found on 8 May, all bars, clubs have been advised to remain closed until 8 June. Even under ‘everyday life quarantine’, Daegu will have more stringent measures, such as mandating masks in public transport from 13 May. Earlier, the authorities have allowed religious organisations and outdoor public recreational facilities to reopen on condition that social distancing rules are adhered to. Schools will resume in a phased manner starting from 13 May. The capital Seoul has ordered bars, clubs and other nightlife establishments to temporarily close until further notice. Additionally, subway passengers in Seoul travelling during peak hours will also require to wear masks. In Gyeonggi province, the local authorities have also banned all entertainment facilities from hosting crowds and announced that non-compliance will face penalties.

Source: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm https://pandemic.internationalsos.com/2019-ncov/ncov-travel-restrictions-flight-operations-and-screening

South Korea 1. Short-term visas (type C-1 and C-3) issued on or before 5 April are invalidated.
2. Visa exemptions for 90 nationalities with normal passport are temporarily suspended.
– This does not apply to airline crew.
– This does not apply to passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card.
3. Korean visas issued by the Wuhan Consulate in the Hubei Province are invalidated.
4. Visitors who have been in the Hubei Province (China People’s Rep.) in the past 14 days are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.).
5. Nationals of China (People’s Rep.) with a passport issued in the Hubei Province are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.).
6. Passengers arriving from China (People’s Rep) must have a visa issued by Korea (Rep.) to transit through Korea (Rep.).
– This not apply to nationals of Albania, Andorra, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Ireland (Rep.), Korea (Rep.), Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Palau, San Marino, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, USA, Vatican City (Holy See) and Venezuela.
– This not apply to passengers with a British passport.
– This does not apply to passengers with a diplomatic, consular, official, service or special passport.
7. All passengers are subject to mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days.
– This does not apply to airline crew.
8. Nationals and residents of Korea (Rep.) are required to install ‘Self-quarantine safety protection mobile app’.
9. Passengers and airline crew must install ‘Self-diagnosis Mobile App’ in their personal device and a completed Health Declaration Form and a Special Quarantine Declaration Form must be presented to the quarantine desk upon arrival.
Effective 17 April 2020 at 20:00h:
1. All flights must arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN) between 5:00 and 20:00.

From 1 April all passengers arriving in South Korea from overseas will be required to undergo 14 days of self-isolation.
Those without local residence in South Korea will be quarantined at a government facility with a cost of approximately KRW1000,000 per day.
Travellers who hold A-1 visa, A-3 agreement visa, diplomats and their families are exempt from the 14-day mandatory self-isolation. Exemptions can also be made for travellers who receive permission from a South Korean Embassy to travel for the purposes of business, humanitarian work or participation in an academic forum.

From 30 March, airlines are required to check the body temperature of all travellers to South Korea prior to departure. Travellers with a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius will be denied entry.
From 28 March, all travellers arriving from Europe or the US are advised to use private vehicles to transit to their place of residence from the airport. Those who do not have access to private vehicles are to use designated buses and trains allocated for these travellers.
Travellers with symptoms of COVID-19 will be escorted to an isolation facility for further COVID-19 testing (travellers without symptoms will also be tested for COVID-19 in a separate facility). If test results are positive, patients will be escorted to designated hospitals or other medical facilities for treatment.

Internal restrictions:

The country’s COVID-19 alert level has remained at RED (the highest on a four-tier scale) since 23 February.
The country has officially shifted from ‘social distancing’ to ‘everyday life quarantine’ from 6 May. Businesses are allowed to resume at facilities in phases and gatherings are allowed to take place, following disinfection guidelines.
Even under ‘everyday life quarantine’, Daegu will have more stringent measures, such as mandating masks in public transport from 13 May.