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korea visit quarantine

U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea

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Are you planning to travel to the United States or Republic of Korea soon? Make sure you have met all the requ

Update

Are you planning to travel to the United States or Republic of Korea soon? Make sure you have met all the requirements for travel before you go! Here are some of our most frequently asked questions recently:

What are the COVID-19 requirements to enter the United States? all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Please see the U.S. CDC website for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

What are the COVID-19 requirements to enter the Republic of Korea? Starting from March 21, 2022, vaccinated travelers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination in Korea OR those who already registered their overseas vaccination history at a local Korean public health center will be eligible for quarantine exemption. Starting from April 1, 2022, vaccinated travelers who have completed vaccination overseas AND register 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. Some exceptions to the above policies may apply. Please direct any questions regarding Korean entry and quarantine requirements to your nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/brd/m_4500/view.do?seq=761042&page=1

What else do I need to know before I travel? Please be sure to check out our COVID-19 information webpage for more information on testing, quarantine, and more: https://kr.usembassy.gov/022420-covid-19-information/. As always, we recommend that all U.S. citizens traveling internationally register their travel plans in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program: https://step.state.gov.

korea visit quarantine

Please refer to the U.S. Department of State website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-korea-travel-advisory.html .

Please enroll in the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov , a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest updates about safety conditions from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Please refer to the Embassy's COVID-19 webpage.

No. You must apply for a passport at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are in Korea, you must submit your application to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea.

Please refer to the Embassy's Passport Services webpage.

If you are an American citizen with an after-hours emergency, please call us at + 82-(0)2-397-4114 . For inquiries regarding a specific case, please email us at [email protected] .

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Please call: (02)-397-4114

Outside of Office Hours, contact: (02)-397-4114

Outside of South Korea: +82-2-397-4114

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South Korea Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to South Korea

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces and public transportation.

South Korea entry details and exceptions

Documents & additional resources, ready to travel, find flights to south korea, find stays in south korea, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

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Can I travel to South Korea from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter South Korea.

Can I travel to South Korea if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter South Korea without restrictions.

Can I travel to South Korea without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter South Korea without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter South Korea?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering South Korea.

Can I travel to South Korea without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in South Korea?

Mask usage in South Korea is not required in public spaces and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in South Korea?

Restaurants in South Korea are open. Bars in South Korea are .

South Korea to allow fully vaccinated travelers to visit without a quarantine period

korea visit quarantine

More than two years after the onset of the pandemic, South Korea is getting ready to make travel easier for international tourists. 

Starting April 1 , travelers who have been fully vaccinated overseas and registered their vaccination history with South Korea's  Q-Code website will be able to enter the country without a  seven-day quarantine period. 

Travelers who have completed a two-dose vaccine series at least 14 days before their trip will be considered fully vaccinated. A one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will also be accepted. If more than 180 days have passed since a traveler completed their initial vaccination series, they will need a booster shot to be considered fully vaccinated. 

Overseas travelers will receive a QR code through the Q-Code system, which can be scanned at immigration, according to the Korea Tourism Organization's website. The Q-Code system will ask for information such as a passport number, departure country, airline, phone number and vaccine records. 

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Travelers arriving by plane will need to show proof of a negative PCR coronavirus test taken no more than 48 hours before departure. Children under the age of 6 do not need a coronavirus test to enter. 

The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in the Republic of Korea  says passengers may also face "temperature screening, health questionnaires, quarantines, and/or COVID-tests, depending on points of departure, visa status, and nationality" upon arrival. 

Unvaccinated travelers and as well as all travelers from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Myanmar – regardless of vaccination status – are still required to quarantine.

Delta Air Lines offers flights between the U.S. and Seoul and airline President Glen Hauenstein cited the country's new travel measures as another positive sign of the travel rebound during an investor conference in New York on Tuesday.

The easing of restrictions comes as South Korea faces its largest COVID-19 surge yet. The country reported a record-high 383,651 cases on Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University data. There were 293 deaths reported Monday, also a record high. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says South Korea has "very high" COVID levels, and says U.S. travelers should avoid the country.

"If you must travel to South Korea, make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travel," the CDC says on its website. 

Contributing: Dawn Gilbertson, USA TODAY. Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz . 

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South Korea travel guide: quarantine-free visits for vaccinated tourists from April 1

Coronavirus restrictions for fully inoculated travellers are easing next month with no more isolation on arrival.

Last year, South Korea recorded a huge drop in visitor numbers with less than a million tourists, according to the Korea Tourism Organisation. Unsplash

Last year, South Korea recorded a huge drop in visitor numbers with less than a million tourists, according to the Korea Tourism Organisation. Unsplash

Hayley Skirka author image

Despite experiencing its worst coronavirus surge, South Korea is getting set to ease border restrictions for travellers.

From April 1, fully vaccinated tourists will be able to fly to the country quarantine-free.

South Korea will also recognise more vaccinations, including those administered outside of the country, said the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This will allow more people to apply for quarantine-free travel.

The easing of restrictions is set to increase the number of incoming tourists. Last year, the country recorded a huge drop in arriving visitor numbers with less than a million tourists, according to the Korea Tourism Organisation.

Exemptions to quarantine rules still apply to visitors from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Myanmar, who are required to isolate for seven days on arrival, regardless of vaccination status.

If you’re planning a trip to South Korea as it eases restrictions, here’s what you need to know.

Who can travel to South Korea?

Travel to South Korea will be quarantine free for most fully vaccinated tourists

To be considered fully vaccinated, travellers must have had their second dose of a Covid-19 jab more than 14 days ago but fewer than 180 days ago — or have taken a booster shot within the same time frame.

The view from this point is stunning!🤩 We can't wait for warmer weather! 📍Wando-gun, Cheongsando Island: https://t.co/ixFbpgFhQB pic.twitter.com/bqDFWJIIRl — VisitKorea (@KoreanTravel) March 17, 2022

Travellers who fit this criteria can travel to the country without quarantine from April 1, but must complete all their travel details on the Q-Code website before departure.

Passengers from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Myanmar cannot apply for entry under this exemption category, even if they are fully vaccinated and must continue to isolate on arrival.

Unvaccinated tourists can still travel to the country, but will have to quarantine in a government appointed isolation facility for seven days.

Do I need a PCR test to travel to South Korea?

A quiet Incheon International Airport in Seoul in January amid restrictions relating to the Covid pandemic. EPA

All travellers need a PCR test result taken no more than 48 hours before departure.

Children aged 5 and under do not need to have a negative test result to enter, but all passengers regardless of nationality, vaccination status and length of stay will be tested on arrival, or within the first 24 hours of entering South Korea.

Tourists will be tested at the airport upon arrival and must remain there until they receive their negative test results.

Do I need to quarantine?

If you’re fully vaccinated and not coming from one of the countries banned from quarantine exemption then you won’t need to isolate when you arrive in South Korea.

Once an on-arrival negative test result has been issued at the airport testing facility, travellers are free to travel around the country.

What restrictions are in place in South Korea

Face-masks remain compulsory in South Korea in all public places, with fines for people who do not comply. AP Photo

Face masks remain compulsory in South Korea in all public places and on public transport, with fines for people who do not comply.

There are also local variations in Covid-19 restrictions in different parts of the country, so you should check the website of the relevant local authorities to find out more about social distancing and restrictions on groups and gatherings.

What’s the best time to visit South Korea?

Spring is almost here!🌸 Cherry blossoms are expected to bloom in April this year. 📍Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do pic.twitter.com/WD1HYXqYY9 — VisitKorea (@KoreanTravel) March 15, 2022

Spring is the best time to visit South Korea if you want to get a glimpse of the country’s blooming cherry blossoms . Autumn is another popular time — with September to November typically having dry days and giving tourists a chance to see changing shades of orange and red throughout the country's National Parks such as Songnisan, Jirisan and Seoraksan.

August is the hottest and most humid month while winter is cold and snowy — and when winter sports enthusiasts flock to the Gyeonggi-do Province and Gangwon-do.

Which airlines are flying to South Korea?

Etihad and Emirates both fly between Seoul and the UAE. Photo: Etihad

Emirates flies direct to Seoul from Dubai and Etihad Airways operates the same route from Abu Dhabi. Flight times are a little more than eight hours to South Korea, and around 10 hours on the return trip. Korean Air also flies between South Korea and the UAE, with flights to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

What can you see and do in South Korea?

Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, the second largest city of South Korea. Unsplash

South Korea fascinates with something for everyone including an intriguing history, fantastic food, a wonderful culture and first-rate tourism attractions. Visit grand palaces such as Seoul’s Changdeokgung Palace built by the Joseon Dynasty, explore ancient history in Jeonju or soak up the culture in the country’s Hanok villages,

Tourists can also hit the beach at Busan, South Korea’s second largest city or climb to the top of N Seoul Tower, the capital’s iconic observation tower. For those interested in history, a visit to no-mans land allows you to see part of a military border between two opposed countries.

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South Korea to lift quarantine mandate for COVID-19 and end testing recommendation for travelers

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, speaks during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters about measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 11, 2023. South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency. (Yonhap via AP)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, speaks during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters about measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 11, 2023. South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency. (Yonhap via AP)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, applauds to encourage medical workers during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters about measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 11, 2023. South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency. (Yonhap via AP)

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency.

In lowering the coronavirus alert level from “critical” to plainly “alert” starting June 1, health authorities will also lift mask mandates in pharmacies and small clinics but will continue require mask wearing in large hospitals and long-term care facilities and other medical venues with high infection risks.

The decision was announced during a meeting attended by President Yoon Suk Yeol, where he thanked the country’s medical workers and said it was “delightful that people are getting their normal lives back after three and a half years.”

He said his government will take steps to improve the country’s capacity to deal with future pandemics, including providing stronger support for vaccine developments and expanding international cooperation.

South Korea has been requiring seven-day quarantines for virus carriers. While the mandate will be lifted from June 1, health officials will continue to recommend people to isolate for five days if they test positive for the virus, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said. Travelers had been advised to take PCR tests within three days after arriving in the country, but that recommendation will also be lifted.

Youngmee Jee, KDCA’s commissioner, downplayed worries that virus measures were being loosened too quickly, saying that the country’s COVID-19 situation was stabilizing, partially because of high vaccination rates and immunity gained through infections during previous waves of the virus.

The fatality rate of COVID-19 after a steady decline is now at a similar level with influenza and there are enough medical resources to deal with a modest rise in infections, with about half of the country’s 700 hospital beds designated to treat serious cases currently vacant, Jee said.

She said officials will maintain preventive measures to protect vulnerable groups, including senior citizens and people with medical conditions, and continue financial support to lower the costs of tests and hospitalizations for virus carriers.

“The risk of COVID-19 is not yet over, but considering the decline in cases, improved medical response capacities and high levels of immunity, we have reached a point where we need to step out of an international emergency state and transition toward a long-term management phase,” Jee said during a briefing.

The announcement came as health workers reported 20,574 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, which represented a slight increase from last week’s level. Lee Sang-won, KDCA’s chief of epidemiological investigations, said the pace of the country’s COVID-19 infections has moderately increased in recent weeks because of the spread of XBB, a new omicron variant. He said it was unlikely that the spread would develop into another huge wave of the virus.

There are concerns that the lifting of the quarantine mandate will result in people showing up to work when sick, considering the country’s notoriously harsh work culture.

Lim Sook-young, another KDCA official, said the government, for the time being, will continue to provide subsidies to COVID-19 patients in low-income brackets and to small companies when they offer paid leave to sick employees, so that infected people could be encouraged to isolate and recover.

She said government agencies were debating further plans to “institutionalize a culture of resting when sick,” including pushing employers to establish consistent guidelines over paid and sick leave and provide employees expanded options for working at home.

South Korea had maintained a stringent COVID-19 response based on aggressive testing, contact tracing and quarantines during the earlier part of the pandemic, but has eased most of its virus controls since last year as the omicron variant’s surge rendered those containment strategies irrelevant.

WHO had declared an end to the COVID-19 emergency last week , though Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted the viral disease remained a global health threat.

korea visit quarantine

Living and traveling in Korea

The Soul of Seoul

Quarantine In Korea: What To Expect

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we go about our daily lives and how we travel… or maybe don’t travel. Things are opening back up again and a lot of people are looking to travel to Korea. The government recently made an announcement that more people would not have to go through quarantine in Korea. That said, if you’re just coming here to travel, you didn’t quite make the cut yet.

Currently, the only people that won’t have to go through quarantine are residents and resident’s family members that have been vaccinated. If you’re a tourist looking to travel through, you’ll still have to go through the 2 week quarantine as it currently stands. Quarantine in Korea isn’t so bad though… or is it? Here’s what you’ll need to know.

erik-mclean--VaiKXZs4PA-unsplash

Even though traveling is slowly becoming a regular thing again, remember that some countries have not fully reverted to any sense of normalcy. For that reason, you should be aware of all the hoops and loops you’ll have to jump through to even fly into any destination.

Arrival in Korea used to be pretty straightforward and all you needed to know was where you can find toilet paper or some such frivolous things now, today South Korea has some tight regulations on tourists entering its borders. Unlike some countries of the world, South Korea still requires face masks and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. If you are anticipating arriving in Korea soon, there are a few things that you should know.

In this post, I will give you the ins and outs of the quarantine process here in South Korea because, well, I’ve already been through it. I can tell you what to expect when you quarantine in South Korea.

Requirements

  • Agreement to Quarantine Forms
  • Quarantine Stations At Incheon Airport
  • Leaving The Airport
  • Get A PCR Test In Korea
  • What To Do About Food
  • Other Suggested Items for Quarantine
  • Paying For The Hotel Quarantine
  • Finishing Your Quarantine

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

Let’s start with the most important part, how do you even get into South Korea during the pandemic? Plan this before you even book your plane ticket. South Korea requires a mandatory 10-day quarantine (It was changed to 10 days as of November 2021) for most travelers to Korea.

If you are coming to teach in Korea or to work, your school should have all these details figured out; such as the quarantine facility, your food package, and the testing center. If you are traveling for other reasons, you have to cover the quarantine, which can cost up to $2,000.

markus-winkler-XJNtMjIpY-s-unsplash

What To Do Before You Get On The Plane

  • No matter what visa you are on. You have to fill out the quarantine form. That is unless you have special permission where you don’t have to quarantine.
  • This form states that you will abide by the rules set in place by the Korean government. It will ask you if you have had COVID-related symptoms with the last 14-21 days, what countries you have visited, and your residence address (if you have one) in Korea. Be sure to fill this out and send it to the consulate when you get your visa issued.
  • The Korean government requires all travelers to get a negative PCR (or RT-PCR) test within 72 hours of their departure. For example, if you fly to Korea on a Friday, you will need to take the test by Wednesday.
  • My advice is to get the same-day PCR test. It’s more expensive than most. But I will say this whole thing is time-sensitive. If you don’t get it in time, it can screw up your travel arrangements.
  • In the US, you can currently also get this requirement done at a Walgreens, CVS, or RiteAid quite easily.
  • When you get your results, be sure to print them in English or Korean (both languages accepted according to the Korean government). You will need to show this when you board the plane. Failure to do this will result in you not getting on the plane.
  • If you’re new to Korea or don’t have a number here, you will need one in order to actually do self-quarantine. You’ll need to check in daily and have a local number where your officer can get in touch. If you don’t have a phone, make sure to get a SIM Card from Incheon Airport.
  • Trazy, linked above, has SIM Cards available for the duration and beyond and you can pick them up at the airport just after you go through the mandatory stations in the arrivals area. You just verify your local contact number and then head to the quarantine facility. Make sure to get unlimited data as you’ll have plenty of time to surf the web.

pond-juprasong-3-lNOfHa08s-unsplash

Once You’re In Korea, What To Expect

  • Station 1: This is where you get your temperature checked. Be sure to have your COVID test results and the yellow health form you filled out on the plane. If you have a temperature of 37.5 or higher, you have to go to another section that requires additional testing.
  • Station 2: Download the app that tracks you during the mandatory 10-day quarantine. Officials at the airport will walk you through this process. You will fill out personal information (name, age, gender, etc.), address, and phone number so the Korean government can contact you.
  • Station 3: After you fill out the information on the app, the health officials will verify your place of quarantine. For example, if you are an English teacher, they’ll call your schools director. Ensure that your friend, boss, husband, landlord, etc will be ready to answer the phone after your arrival so you can pass this station. If you’ll be in an Airbnb, make sure you have a SIMcard or a local phone as the officer will call you right there to ensure your phone rings in front of him/her. They will also show you how to use the app and what times to do your self-diagnosis check-in.
  • After the quarantine processing, you’ll go through immigration, baggage claim, and customs.
  • When you arrive as an international traveler in South Korea during COVID, you cannot use public transportation. Once you get out of the baggage claim, there will be another table where the workers will arrange transportation to your quarantine facility.
  • If you don’t have any Korean cash, the time to exchange in the airport is just after customs before you exit through the big double doors.
  • If you are staying at a government facility, you will be led to a bus that will take you there.
  • If you are going to another place to quarantine, you have the option of a COVID bus or taxi. If you are trying to save money, take the bus because taxis can cost up to W108,000 (around $100). Your place of business should reimburse you for this cost if you’re coming in as worker.

korea visit quarantine

  • When you arrive at your apartment or hotel. You will have to take a PCR test at a health center in your area within 3 days of your arrival. You can book a private round-trip ride here to the nearest health center and back.
  • After you get the results for your PCR test, you cannot leave your apartment for those 10 days, which starts the day you arrive.
  • The health center in your area will contact you by the information you provided and an officer will keep track of you. That person will also tell you when your quarantine ends. They will bring you a paper bag with KF94 masks, hand sanitizer, trash bags, and a thermometer (to check your temperature twice a day).
  • Food Might Be Provided: Depending on where you are in Korea, you will receive a government food package. If you are outside of Seoul, you will get something that includes basic things like rice, ramen, and other instance, non-perishable items that will tie you over for the next two weeks. Unfortunately, if you live in Seoul, they are no longer providing food packages. Instead, I have another option so that you don’t have to go hungry
  • Trazy Food Delivery : Trazy offers a variety of services for those coming in to quarantine which includes grocery delivery, meal kit delivery, and direct from restaurant options as well. They also have Halal certified food delivery services too so they can meet a lot of needs.
  • Help Me Emo : Another service that will act as translator and basically a private concierge to get your food ordered and delivered. You can add them on Kakao and then converse with them about what you need easily. Send a message to place the order, he/she will ask you some questions then the food will be on the way.
  • Shuttle Delivery : This is a great option if you’re in one of their delivery areas. Shuttle specializes in delivering from some of the best foreign food establishments around. Just came in from abroad and need something to make you feel like home while you’re by yourself in quarantine? This is the best option for that.
  • iHerb : Not for groceries, but for more of your health needs, vitamins, shampoos, pet things, etc. iHerb is a great option that accepts foreign credit cards and does ship to Korea within a week. If you’re moving to Korea, it’s a good option to know about in general.
  • If you are quarantining alone, put your card in a bag and leave it at the door. That way it is a contactless service.
  • If you are doing your quarantine at a government facility the food will be provided for you. However, many people who have done the quarantine say that the food comes out cold. No one wants to eat cold packaged food for 10 days straight.
  • Take a hotpot with you to heat up anything you want.

korea visit quarantine

  • You can also take an electric lunchbox to heat up your food.

korea visit quarantine

With the electric cookware, it is small enough to stash in your suitcase. It will also save you during quarantine.

  • Voltage Converter (Korea uses a 220V): Obviously if you are coming through with your own hotpot or electric lunchbox, you’ll want to bring a converter.
  • Pocket wifi: If you are quarantining at a government facility, the wifi at the hotels can be spotty at times.
  • Snacks: You’ll be getting food consistently, but if you want any of your own snacks, bring them in. As long as they’re packaged and haven’t been opened, you can bring them in. This is highly recommended if you want something a bit different from time to time.
  • Summertime clothes: Apparently some of the hotels do not allow you to open the windows, which means it will get quite stuffy.
  • You will pay the costs of the hotel quarantine upfront rather than at the end. Please be aware of the payment methods you use. A lot of people suggest only using Visa, Mastercard, and, my preferred card, the American Express .
  • Trash:  Your food trash will need to be put into designated food trash bags that will be delivered to you. So it won’t stink up the place, make sure to keep it in a freezer during the quarantine. All other trash should be put into the orange biohazard trash bag. Some districts say they’ll pick it up after you’ve finished quarantine, while others are letting people throw it out with the regular trash if you’ve tested negative throughout your stay.
  • Yes! You made it through 14-days of involuntary torture. Now you are free to explore everything South Korea has to offer . But, wait, not so fast. Before checking out of your quarantine, you have to go to the nearest health facility to take one more Covid tests and wait for those results.
  • Once you get your results from your health officer, you are good to go.

korea visit quarantine

The way that we travel has drastically changed in the past year. Hopefully this will help you figure out how quarantine in Korea is and what to expect. Good luck!

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Quarantine In Korea: What To Expect: Here is everything you need to know to quarantine in Korea. Still required for most arrivals in Korea, food, PCR tests, and more.

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Thanks for the info! Do you happen to have a link/the name of the consent to quarantine document you mentioned in the first section? I have been searching, and I haven’t found it.

Taken from the South Korean consualte in Chicago website:

https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-chicago-en/wpge/m_4833/contents.do

If you scroll down to “Necessary Documents for Korean Visa Application (General Required Documents),” it’s the form hyperlinked as “Consent for Isolation.”

Jim Colburn

Thanks, good article. I have a wife and three children (7,4,2 year olds) planning to come to Korea initially with a short term visa. Is it full quarantine price for the children too?

Hallie Bradley

Yes, from what I know, children cost the full amount. Whether you’re in a room together or separate, everyone pays the same amount unfortunately.

Hello Michaela! Is the entry day counted towards the 14-day requirement? Do people subject to quarantine at government facilities get released at the end of the 14th day or the beginning of the 15th day? Thank you!

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December 1 Omicron coronavirus variant news

By Adam Renton, Brad Lendon , Sheena McKenzie, Ed Upright, Meg Wagner , Melissa Macaya and Melissa Mahtani , CNN

South Korea will require a 10-day quarantine for all incoming international travelers 

From CNN's Gawon Bae

A staff member wearing protective equipment guides a traveller at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Kora, on November 30.

South Korea will mandate a 10-day quarantine for all incoming international travelers, including Korean nationals. The requirement will go into effect Dec. 3 for two weeks, Korea Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA) said in a statement Wednesday.

The decision was made the same day five cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were reported by the country, in travelers arriving from Nigeria. 

The mandate applies to travelers from all countries, regardless of their vaccination status, KDCA said.

Korean nationals and foreigners on a long-term stay can quarantine from home, while foreigners staying less than 90 days must quarantine at a government-designated facility. Quarantine exemptions will only be granted in a limited set of special circumstances, such as attending a funeral, the statement said. 

South Korea will also ban foreign nationals on short-term stays — less than 90 days — from Nigeria from entering the country starting Friday.

On Saturday, South Korea had banned foreign nationals on short-term stays from eight southern African countries: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Mozambique. Korean citizens and foreigners on long-term stay may still enter the country. 

Starting Saturday, South Korea will also suspend direct flights from Ethiopia for two weeks. The government will arrange non-scheduled flights for Korean nationals to return from African countries, KDCA added.

US Travel Association calls on Biden to revisit Omicron travel ban

From CNN's Matt Egan 

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the US Travel Association, speaks during a news conference in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2020.

Roger Dow, CEO of the US Travel Association, is questioning the logic of President Biden’s travel restrictions imposed on South Africa and seven neighboring countries in the wake of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

“We want them to revisit this quickly,” Dow told CNN in a phone interview. “We need to follow the science – and a travel ban is not the most effective way.”

Dow, whose trade group represents all parts of the $1.5 trillion travel industry, said he met multiple times with the White House over the weekend and is very encouraged Biden signaled he’s not anticipating further restrictions.

“Even the WHO came out and said the data and science don’t support this,” he said. “We don’t want to see this go beyond South Africa.”

In a  statement  on Tuesday, the World Health Organization said “blanket travel banks will not prevent the international spread, and they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.”

Dow, whose industry relies on a steady stream of foreign tourists, expressed confidence in the  existing health protocols  to come into the United States, including requirements that visitors are vaccinated and get tested for Covid-19 in advance.

Some background: On Monday, the  United States banned all travel  from South Africa and seven neighboring countries, with the exception of US citizens and legal permanent residents, who must test negative to enter the country.

Top  US officials are considering new restrictions, including requiring everyone who enters the country to be tested for Covid-19 the day before their flight and having all travelers – including US citizens and permanent residents – be tested again after returning home, regardless of vaccination status, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

Dow acknowledged the serious health challenge facing the United States, but suggested it shouldn’t overshadow other priorities. Direct travel employment fell by 34% last year amid the pandemic, according to the US Travel Association. 

“We’ve got a health crisis, no doubt about it. But we’ve got a jobs crisis, an economic crisis, a mental health crisis and a diplomatic crisis,” he said.

Dow argued having more foreign tourists would improve America’s standing in the world. “Getting people here, traveling back and forth, is good public diplomacy,” he said.

Cuba says it's developing vaccines to combat the Omicron variant

From CNN’s Patrick Oppmann in Havana 

Cuban scientists are working on vaccines to combat the Omicron variant, the island’s state-run media reported on Wednesday. 

"We closely followed the reports on the behavior of the new Omicron variant. We are already designing specific vaccines. If necessary, in a short time we will develop them,” Dr. Eduardo Martínez Díaz, president of the drug maker BioCubaFarma, said in a statement on Twitter.

Cuban pharmaceutical companies have already produced several vaccines scientists say are highly effective against earlier strains of the coronavirus. According to Cuba’s health ministry more than 80% of the island’s population is now fully vaccinated and coronavirus-related infections and deaths have plummeted in recent weeks.

Ireland reports first Omicron case

From CNN's Sarah Dean

Ireland has reported its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, a statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team said Wednesday. 

The statement said the case is linked to travel from one of the seven southern African countries that Ireland has imposed travel restrictions on.

“The NPHET Epidemiological Surveillance Team has been meeting regularly over the course of the last week to monitor the situation relating to the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and, today, we are confirming that one case has been identified in Ireland," Dr. Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said in the statement.

Inside the lab where the Omicron variant was first detected

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt

At Lancet Laboratories in South Africa, scientists and pathologists first noticed an anomaly in positive PCR tests in early November, and it cropped up over and over again.

"It was a bit disturbing, because it made us worry that we were dealing with something new," Allison Glass, a pathologist at Lancet Labs, told CNN's David McKenzie.

They urgently notified South Africa's genomics team. Within days, details about the new Omicron coronavirus variant became known worldwide.

Scientists inside the Wits VIDA Research Unit in South Africa are trying to determine whether the variant is more transmissible or causes more severe disease.

Samples are being put in freezers in the hallways at the lab, and it is set to operate 24 hours a day, McKenzie reported.

Jeanine du Plessis, a medical scientist at the lab, said they are seeing a lot more positive cases in the past few weeks.

Since there is still so much unknown about the variant at the moment, she said "everyone feels a little bit of hopelessness."

The US is considering mandatory testing for all travelers coming into the country — including citizens

From CNN's Kaitlan Collins and Maegan Vazquez

Travelers arrive from international flights at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on November 30.

Top US government officials are considering requiring everyone who enters the country to be tested for  Covid-19  the day before their flight and having all travelers — including US citizens and permanent residents — be tested again after returning home, regardless of vaccination status, sources familiar with the discussions have told CNN.

Officials were deliberating the potential changes Tuesday night and no final decisions have been made.

However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in a statement that the agency is working to revise testing requirements for travelers because of the new Omicron variant.

"A revised order would shorten the timeline for required testing for all international air travelers to one day before departure to the United States," a CDC spokesperson said in a statement. "This strengthens already robust protocols in place for international travel, including requirements for foreign travelers to be fully vaccinated."

Currently, vaccinated travelers are required to test three days before their departures. The move under consideration would shorten that timeline to one day.

A mandatory quarantine for US citizens returning home is not under consideration, according to a White House official.

"The administration continues to evaluate the appropriate measures to protect the American people from COVID-19, especially as we learn more about the Omicron variant, including considering more stringent testing requirements for international travel. Policy discussions are ongoing across the government and no final decisions have been made," a White House official told CNN.

You can read more on the possible changes here.

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst," says EU leader

From CNN's Sharon Braithwaite in London

Europe is in a race against the clock to step up its vaccination and booster programs amid concerns over the Omicron variant hitting its shores, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a news briefing Wednesday.

Von der Leyen said the bloc is facing a "severe double challenge." "On one hand, we are amidst the fourth wave," von der Leyen said. And on the other hand, "we are now facing a new threat, that is the new variant Omicron," she added. "At this point we do not know all about this variant. But we know enough to be concerned," she said, adding that "we know from our experience with the Delta variant, that it is a race against time."

Von der Leyen urged members states to "do everything possible to make the best out of the time we have until we have certainty about the characteristics of transmissibility and severity of Omicron."

"What is the bottom line? Hope for the best, prepare for the worst," she added.

The EU Commission put forward a coordinated EU approach on Wednesday to address the challenges from the resurgence of Covid-19 in many member states this fall.

Among the measures suggested, member states "should continue to implement a joint strategy to limit the entry of the Omicron variant into the EU, with regular, daily reviews of essential travel restrictions," the Commission said in a statement.

Omicron cases have been mild and in younger patients, South African doctor says

From CNN’s Naomi Thomas

Dr. Mvuyisi Mzukwa, vice chair of the South African Medical Association, on December 1.

Doctors in South Africa have so far observed that patients with the Omicron coronavirus variant are younger and have milder cases, and those who are hospitalized are largely unvaccinated.

“We’re seeing younger patients and we’re seeing milder cases of Omicron,” Dr. Mvuyisi Mzukwa, vice chair of the South African Medical Association, told CNN’s Brianna Keilar on New Day Wednesday. “Also, what we’ve noted is that the people that are being hospitalized are largely unvaccinated, about 90% of those are unvaccinated.” 

Mzukwa said that very few people are being admitted to the hospital and the South African health care system is not under pressure.

“Obviously, we’re still gathering information as to the spread of this Omicron in the country, but it is not what it is touted to be out there,” he said, noting that the South African government has not put the country under any further restrictions.  “There is nothing much that we see beyond what we have seen with the Delta variant,” he said. 

Asked about hospitalizations across the country, which have been seen as trending up over the last month, Mzukwa said that even in the province where the Omicron variant is concentrated, “we have not seen that much of hospitalization, all we see is that those patients that do get admitted are patients who are not vaccinated.”

A global accord on pandemic prevention and response is one step closer

The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed to start negotiations that would pave the way for a global convention to "strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response," it said in a statement Wednesday.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the decision by the World Health Assembly was historic in nature, vital in its mission, and represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the global health architecture to protect and promote the wellbeing of all people.

"I welcome your commitment to an inclusive, transparent and efficient process, led by Member States and based on consensus," Tedros said, adding that the adoption of this decision is "cause for celebration, and cause for hope."

An intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) will draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, the statement added.

The INB will hold its first meeting by March next year. It will submit its outcome for consideration by the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024.

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South Korea Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2023, south korea - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in South Korea.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to South Korea.

If you decide to travel to South Korea:

  • Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
  • Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
  • Review the  Country Security Report  for South Korea.   
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.   
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .    

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South Korea Q-Code for Quarantine-Free Travel

South Korea Q-Code for Quarantine-Free Travel

Find out about the QR-code system for South Korea on this page.

Travelers can now visit South Korea quarantine-free. There are no quarantine requirements for entering the country, regardless of vaccination status.

Passengers are no longer required to present a COVID-19 vaccine certificate or negative PCR test result.

Visitors do still need to submit a questionnaire about their health condition on arrival in South Korea. Passengers are advised to do this online before traveling, using the Q-code system.

What Is the Q-Code for South Korea?

The Q-code system has facilitated travel to South Korea during COVID-19.

Passengers who input their health information through the Q-code system can pass quarantine inspection procedures—South Korea QIPs—quickly on arrival.

The Q-code verifies a traveler’s health condition for airline personnel and quarantine authorities in South Korea.

Who Can Input a Q-Code for South Korea?

All travelers who meet the COVID-19 entry requirements for South Korea can input a Q-Code.

The system applies to all travel purposes , including tourism. Korean nationals and foreign nationals can apply.

Entry rules are now the same for vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign visitors.

Is the QR Code Mandatory for Visitors to South Korea?

The QR Code is not mandatory for South Korea. However, it does make traveling more convenient.

Visitors with a Q-Code can pass through quarantine inspections quickly.

What Documents Do I Need to Get My QR Code?

Travelers need to prepare the following documents to get a Q-code for South Korea:

  • Valid passport
  • Airline ticket
  • Health condition form

A valid email address is also required to complete the process.

How to Register for a South Korea Q-Code

These are the steps to completing Q-Code registration for South Korea.

  • Input email address
  • Input passport details
  • Input entry and stay information
  • Input health status
  • Confirm and submit
  • Receive the Q-Code

The registration system is 100% online and travelers receive the Q-Code electronically.

South Korea Q-Code Questions and Answers

The questions and answers below provide important information about the South Korea Q-code and QIPs.

How long is a South Korea Q-code valid?

Each Q-Code is valid to enter South Korea once . It expires after the holder completes immigration procedures.

Travelers taking multiple trips to South Korea need to input the information for a new Q-code each time.

When should I register for a South Korea Q-Code?

Travelers can register for a Q-Code before boarding a flight to South Korea.

Does a Q-Code guarantee visa-free travel to South Korea?

Holding a Q-Code verifies the visitor's health condition and allows passengers to pass through Quarantine Inspection Procedures (QIPs) quickly on arrival.

The Q-Code does not guarantee quarantine-free entry. Anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be required to self-isolate.

How can you correct Q-Code information?

The information input by travelers is recorded in the generated QR code. Once the QR code has been issued, only health status can be modified.

Travelers must enter South Korea with the Q-Code containing the correct information.

Are travelers with a Q-Code exempt from COVID-19 testing?

Korea’s COVID-19 test requirements have been lifted. Visitors do not need to input PCR test results when submitting their QR-code questionnaire.

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South Korea to lift quarantine mandate and COVID test recommendation for travelers

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol flanked by other officials

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South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end coronavirus testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency .

In lowering the coronavirus alert level from “critical” to just “alert” starting June 1, health authorities will also lift mask mandates in pharmacies and small clinics but will continue require mask-wearing in large hospitals, long-term care facilities and other medical venues with high infection risks.

The decision was announced during a meeting attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, at which he thanked the country’s medical workers and said it was “delightful that people are getting their normal lives back after 3½ years.”

He said his government would take steps to improve the country’s capacity to deal with future pandemics, including providing stronger support for vaccine development and expanding international cooperation.

South Korea has been requiring seven-day quarantines for coronavirus carriers. While the mandate will be lifted starting June 1, health officials will continue to recommend that people isolate for five days if they test positive for the virus, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said. Travelers had been advised to take PCR tests within three days after arriving in the country, but that recommendation will also be lifted.

Youngmee Jee, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s commissioner, downplayed worries that virus measures were being loosened too quickly, saying that the country’s COVID-19 situation was stabilizing, partially because of high vaccination rates and immunity gained through infections during previous waves of the virus .

Motorists line up to take COVID-19 tests at at Long Beach City College-Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Editorial: The COVID-19 pandemic emergency is over, but virus is still here

It’s appropriate for the government to move out of the emergency response phase. But we must continue to be vigilant because the coronavirus that has killed millions over the last three years is still with us.

May 11, 2023

The fatality rate of COVID-19, after a steady decline, is now at a similar level with influenza, and there are enough medical resources to deal with a modest rise in infections, with about half of the country’s 700 hospital beds designated to treat serious cases currently vacant, Jee said.

She said officials would maintain preventive measures to protect vulnerable groups, including older people and people with medical conditions, and continue financial support to lower the costs of tests and hospitalizations for virus carriers.

“The risk of COVID-19 is not yet over, but considering the decline in cases, improved medical response capacities and high levels of immunity, we have reached a point where we need to step out of an international emergency state and transition toward a long-term management phase ,” Jee said during a briefing.

The announcement came as health workers reported 20,574 new COVID-19 cases in South Korea on Thursday, which represented a slight increase from last week’s level. Lee Sang-won, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s chief of epidemiological investigations, said the pace of the country’s coronavirus infections has moderately increased in recent weeks because of the spread of XBB, a new Omicron variant. He said it was unlikely that the spread would develop into another huge wave of the virus.

People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk at the Cheonggye Stream in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

World & Nation

South Korea drops vaccination proof for indoor spaces despite Omicron surge

The elimination of proof of vaccination for entry to indoor spaces comes as South Korea sets a new one-day record for COVID-19 deaths.

Feb. 28, 2022

There are concerns that the lifting of the quarantine mandate will result in people showing up to work when sick , considering the country’s notoriously harsh work culture.

Lim Sook-young, another the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency official, said the government, for the time being, would continue to provide subsidies to COVID-19 patients in low-income brackets and to small companies when they offer paid leave to sick employees, so that infected people can be encouraged to isolate and recover.

She said government agencies were debating further plans to “institutionalize a culture of resting when sick,” including pushing employers to establish consistent guidelines over paid and sick leave and provide employees expanded options for working at home.

South Korea had maintained a stringent COVID-19 response based on aggressive testing, contact-tracing and quarantines during the earlier part of the pandemic, but has eased most of its virus controls since last year as the Omicron variant’s surge rendered those containment strategies irrelevant.

The WHO declared an end to the COVID-19 emergency last week, though Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the viral disease remained a global health threat.

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SANTA MONICA, CA - JANUARY 23: Dr. Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, professor and Chief of Medicine-Pediatrics at UCLA, doing a well child visit with 4-year-old patient JoJo at the UCLA Health System Medicine-Pediatrics Comprehensive Care Clinic Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Santa Monica, CA. California has some of the lowest rates of well child visits for kids 0-3 in the nation. That means kids aren't getting the care they need - from physicals to developmental screenings to immunizations. JoJo was with his mother Faye Holmes, 50, not shown, of Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

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South Korea reopens to fully vaccinated foreigners without quarantine

korea visit quarantine

SEOUL — South Korea is allowing fully vaccinated travelers from all countries to enter without quarantine starting Friday, as the country relaxes coronavirus restrictions.

International travelers who have been fully vaccinated and registered their vaccination status can now enter the country without a quarantine period of seven days. A negative coronavirus test is still required for entry.

South Korea partially eased the quarantine mandate for vaccinated arrivals in 2021 but tightened it back in December, citing concerns about the highly contagious omicron variant.

Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to Seoul and the rest of South Korea, said its passenger traffic on Friday is set to surpass 20,000 for the first time in nearly two years. Daily traffic at the airport, one of the busiest in Asia, used to be 200,000 a day on average but sunk to as low as 3,000 after the pandemic restrictions were imposed.

On Friday morning, airport workers tore down quarantine facilities for international travelers, including a designated bus station, as passengers from overseas are now allowed to take regular public transportation.

South Korea coronavirus infection rate soars with omicron surge

South Korean health authorities said the quarantine mandate can be brought back depending on the coronavirus situation. “We will continue to monitor virus risks of each country in case of situations like emergence of a new variant of concern, and we will designate and manage the range of country-based quarantine exemption in a flexible manner,” said Jeong Eun Kyeong, commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

South Korea started imposing border restrictions in March 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The measures contributed to the success of the country in responding to the virus but faced criticism from citizens returning home and foreign visitors coming for business and other purposes.

With the start of the quarantine waiver, a surge in demand has been reported by South Korean airlines and travel agencies. However, experts said international travel is not expected to immediately bounce back, given remaining coronavirus risks and a recent surge in jet fuel prices. For most of the pandemic, the Asian nation managed to keep the virus at bay without a major lockdown through widespread testing and aggressive contact tracing.

Such public health measures were partially rolled back earlier this year amid the strong vaccination rate in South Korea. There was then a surge in the highly contagious and less fatal omicron variant that drove infections to a record level. Citing the burden on health and administrative workers, Seoul health authorities changed their virus strategy to focus resources on vulnerable patients.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention places South Korea in its highest coronavirus risk category of Level 4, used for destinations that have an incidence rate of more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.

In recent weeks, South Korea has been reporting one of the highest caseloads per capita in the world but keeping death rates relatively low. Starting next week, South Korea will loosen its social distancing measures, raising the cap on social gatherings from eight to 10 people and easing the curfew on restaurants and other indoor spaces to until midnight, health authorities said Friday.

Coronavirus: What you need to know

Covid isolation guidelines: Americans who test positive for the coronavirus no longer need to routinely stay home from work and school for five days under new guidance planned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The change has raised concerns among medically vulnerable people .

New coronavirus variant: The United States is in the throes of another covid-19 uptick and coronavirus samples detected in wastewater suggests infections could be as rampant as they were last winter. JN.1, the new dominant variant , appears to be especially adept at infecting those who have been vaccinated or previously infected. Here’s how this covid surge compares with earlier spikes .

Latest coronavirus booster: The CDC recommends that anyone 6 months or older gets an updated coronavirus shot , but the vaccine rollout has seen some hiccups , especially for children . Here’s what you need to know about the latest coronavirus vaccines , including when you should get it.

korea visit quarantine

Guide To Travelling To Korea During The Pandemic: Visa Applications, Covid-19 Tests & Transportation

korea visit quarantine

Guide to travelling to Korea

Many countries around the world are finally opening up their borders to travellers, and Korea is one of them. That said, Korea still has safety measures put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19. Before planning your itinerary and booking your flight tickets, refer to our guide on the things you must know before travelling to Korea .

Preparations before taking your flight

Covid-19 tests.

travelling to korea - pcr testing by professional

Update: As of 23rd May 2022, travellers from some countries can submit the results of their supervised ART (Antigen Rapid Test) results in lieu of a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. The ART must be taken within 24 hours prior to departure. Note that this may not apply to all countries. Check with your embassy if this regulation applies to your country.

Only PCR tests based on DNA amplification methods, as well as supervised ARTs for eligible countries, are accepted for Covid-19 tests. Self-administered tests are not valid .

Travellers must submit a negative PCR test that was performed and issued within 48 hours before departure, or a supervised negative ART that was performed and issued within 24 hours before departure.

The Covid-19 test result must be written in Korean or English . Otherwise , a verified and official translation of the test result must be provided, along with a certificate of translation from a notary office, the Korean embassy, a certified translation officer, or a certified translator.

The document must show the following information:

  • Traveller’s legal name
  • Traveller’s date of birth or passport number or ID number
  • Test method
  • Negative test result
  • Date of issue of result
  • Name of testing centre

Travellers will need to submit a hard copy of their negative test results upon arrival in Korea.

Travellers who are unable to provide a hard copy will not be able to leave the airport. They will be transferred to a quarantine facility, where they will be charged for their stay, until they can submit a hard copy.

travelling to korea - incheon airport boarding area with a few people

Travellers who don’t have a hard copy of the results on hand to turn in upon arrival can print it out after entry, either at the airport or while staying at a quarantine centre.

Travellers whose test results are unverified or in valid will be denied entry into Korea.

People who display Covid-19 symptoms such as fever and cough will also not be allowed on board , even if they are exempted from submitting a negative test result.

Q-CODE System

travelling to korea - entry into korea q-code system

Q-CODE is a process established by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to make tourists’ entry into Korea more convenient.

Travellers will have to input their personal information regarding their trip and Covid-19 status into the system, which will be encoded as a QR code.

The information needed includes:

  • Valid passport
  • Valid email address
  • Valid airline ticket
  • Valid negative PCR test result

If available,

  • Valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate
  • Valid quarantine exemption issue
  • Health condition information

travelling to korea - incheon airport entrance

Travellers should take note that if they need to correct any personal information after submitting the form, they m ust re-do the application process to receive a new QR Code.

N ote that the Q-CODE does not guarantee quarantine and entry to Korea. Officers of quarantine and immigration control will have the final say on one’s entry and quarantine.

travelling to korea - incheon airport airstar avenue

Inputting false or inaccurate information into the Q-CODE system could result in a penalty or denial of entry into Korea .

Travellers should submit their Q-CODE to the airline personnel upon boarding in their home country , and to the quarantine officer at entry inspection in Korea.

Visit the Q-CODE website for more information and to generate a QR-code.

travelling to korea - q-code application overview

Getting a Korean SIM card

travelling to korea - incheon airport boarding area

It’s best to have a Korean SIM card on hand before arriving in Korea as a Korean phone number is needed for official documents.

Ensure that your phone isn’t locked to a specific telecom company or country by contacting your cell carrier.

You can purchase a local Korean SIM card online or in Korea. There are three main mobile service providers in Korea : SK Telecom, LG (U-Plus/U+), and KT Olleh.

travelling to korea - kt olleh, lg and sk telecom logos

You can purchase SIM cards online through the two commonly used online SIM shopping websites, Korea SIM card and KT Roaming .

They sell various SIM cards from different telecommunications companies , a s well as Wi – Fi routers, which can be sent to your home or picked up at Incheon Airport.

You can also purchase SIM cards in Korea from convenience stores or at the airport’s roaming service counter after you’ve cleared immigration.

Applying for K-ETA

travelling to korea - k-eta logo

Since Korea has temporarily limited visa-free travel and the visa-waiver program due to Covid-19, travellers must apply for K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) before entering Korea.

Only tourists from countries that qualify under the Visa Exemption Agreement with Korea can travel to the country for leisure reasons, for a period of up to 90 days. Travellers can check their eligibility via the Visa Navigator in the Korea Visa Portal website .

V isa-free travellers have to apply for K-ETA in advance.

But the good news is that from 1st June 2022 onwards, travellers from countries that are eligible for K-ETA will be able to enter the country without needing to apply for a visa.

travelling to korea - commercial airline flying above incheon airport

The K-ETA application should be completed at least 72 hours prior to boarding . Nevertheless, travellers should apply for the K-ETA with plenty of time in advance in case of delays .

Travellers can check their K-ETA application eligibility through the guide on their official website. As of 1st April 2022, the number of countries eligible for K-ETA application has increased from 50 to 96.

The a pplication fee costs KRW10,000 (~USD8.17) and is non-refundable even if the application is unsuccessful.

Travellers are required to apply for a new K-ETA if there are any changes to their personal information, including their name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport information, health condition, and criminal record. Submitting false or inaccurate information may result in penalties or denial of entry.

They are also required to update any changes to the purpose of entry, address in Korea, and contact information through the K-ETA website.

travelling to korea - korean national passport

Items needed for a K-ETA application are as follows:

  • Passport picture
  • Credit or debit card to pay the application fee

Travellers must note that the K-ETA is not a visa , and an approved application does not guarantee entry to Korea; a Korean Immigration Service Officer will have the final say on admission into the country.

A summary of the application process of a K-ETA can be found in the following flowchart:

travelling to korea - k-eta application process overview

Travellers can also watch a tutorial video on how to apply for a K-ETA here:

How to apply for K-ETA(Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) Full information

Video credit: 출입국・외국인정책본부 Korea Immigration

After landing in Korea

Documents needed at quarantine checkpoint.

travelling to korea - incheon airport dome-like area with greenery

Travellers who have a n issued Q-CODE can use it in lieu of printed documents, but are still encouraged to have hard copies in case they are requested for verification.

These documents include a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, the health questionnaire and travel record declaration which should have been filled in onboard the flight, and passport .

Other documents that may be necessary include the quarantine exemption certificate and vaccination certificate .

travelling to korea - incheon airport empty boarding area

Effective from 1st June, travellers only need to take a PCR test within 3 days from arrival.

A PCR test costs KRW80,000 (~USD65.35) , and the testing centre is located at Incheon Airport Passenger Terminal 1 and 2 . The test result will be sent via SMS and email, which is why it’s best to have a Korean SIM card on hand .

Travellers need to bring their passport along for the testing.

More information on opening hours and exact locations can be found on Incheon Airport’s official website .

Travellers can also make reservations for a PCR test on the Safe2Go pass website .

In addition, PCR tests are available at a discounted price of KRW70,000 (~USD56.55) through the Korean National Tuberculosis Association (KNTA) , which is located at Seocho-gu, Seoul. Test results will be sent to one’s personal email address.

travelling to korea - man sneezing into his elbow

Travellers who show signs of a fever, coughing, difficulty in breathing, and other Covid-19 symptoms upon landing in Korea must take a PCR test at the Arrivals Hall or the quarantine facility.

If their test result is positive, they will be transferred to a hospital or residential treatment centre, depending on the severity of their symptoms.

Transportation to accommodation

As of 1st April 2022, exclusive modes of transportation for travellers, such as private hire cars, designated shuttle buses, designated KTX cars, and quarantine taxis , were suspended, but public transportation is still accessible for all.

These transportation modes include taxi, bus, train, and domestic flights.

Taxi transportation

travelling to korea - a garage of korean taxis

Travellers can hail a taxi at both major terminals in Incheon Airport.

There are four types of taxis available : international taxi, SEOUL SMART, first-class taxi, and regular taxi.

travelling to korea - korea regular taxi

Regular taxis have a base fee of KRW3,800 (~USD3.10) .

There may be an additional late-night charge of 20% from 12AM to 4AM.

travelling to korea - korea first-class taxi

First-class taxis can fit up to nine passengers, and have a base fare KRW6,500 (~USD5.31) .

They can be hailed at stops 7C and 8C at Terminal 1, and stop 5D at Terminal 2.

travelling to korea - international taxi

International taxis and SEOUL SMART taxis are transportation modes exclusive to foreigners as they are officially designated to provide foreign languages services. These taxis can be found at stop 4C in Terminal 1, and at stop 1C in Terminal 2.

travelling to korea - korean international taxi signage

Pro-tip: International taxis and SEOUL SMART taxis can be identified by the words “International Taxi”, which are printed on the roof toplight and sides of the vehicle.

Travellers can call for an international taxi at 1644-2255, or make a reservation at least 24 hours beforehand on their website .

They can also call for a SEOUL SMART cab at 032-743-2357.

travelling to korea - korea disability accessible taxi

Disability-accessible taxis can be reserved by calling 1577-0320 for an Incheon Transit Corporation Disabled Reservation Taxi, or 1588-4388 for a Seoul Facilities Corporation Disable Reservation Taxi.

Call-van transportation

travelling to korea - korea call=vans

Travellers with a lot of luggage can ride a call-van, which can carry up to five passengers carrying 20kg of baggage per person. In Korea, a call-van refers to a private hire minivan.

The fee for call-vans is charged by metre and may vary based on the amount of baggage you have, and they operate from 8AM to 9PM all year round. Do note that in some cases, you will have to negotiate with the driver for the fee before you board.

Bus transportation

travelling to korea - incheon airport airport bus

The airport bus service provides rides to major areas in Seoul and other provinces such as Gyeonggi, Jeolla , and Gangwon.

Bus fares range from KRW1,300 (~USD1.06) to KRW37,600 (~USD30.71) , depending on distance and travel time.

For more information on the bus stops and buses, check Incheon Airport’s official website .

Tickets can be pre-booked through Tmoney’s website and the Integrated Express Bus website .

Airport Railway Express (AREX)

travelling to korea - incheon airport arex train platform

There are two types of trains offered by AREX – the express train and all-stop train.

The express train goes non-stop between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station, while the all-stop trains are commuter trains that stop at all 14 stations between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station. Due to the pandemic, the express trains only arrive every 30 minutes to an hour. The all-stop trains leave every five to ten minutes.

travelling to korea - arex express train

The journey time from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station on an express train takes anywhere from 43 to 51 minutes .

An express train ticket costs KRW9,500 (~USD7.76) for adults and KRW7,500 (~USD6.13) for children.

Tickets for express trains can be bought at the Information Centre in both terminals of the airport, or at an auto ticket machine. Payment can be made with cash or credit card.

Various domestic and foreign credit cards, including VISA, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club International, American Express, and UnionPay, can be used to purchase a ticket.

travelling to korea - arex all-stop train

The fare for all-stop trains is calculated by adding the basic fare and the distance fare, and can range from KRW1,250 (~USD1.02) to KRW4,750 (~USD3.88) .

Passengers can take the all-stop train with three types of cards : the single journey card, transportation card, and commutation ticket.

These cards can be purchased from most convenience stores, and can be topped up at ticket vending machines and customer centres in train stations.

travelling to korea - arex map

While holidaying in Korea

Testing covid-19 positive during stay.

travelling to korea - covid art test

Update: As of 23rd May 2022, those who enter South Korea no longer have to take an ART within six to seven days of their arrival, although it is recommended by the government.

Travellers who suspect themselves to have Covid-19 symptoms should call 1339 for inquiries, take a self-administered ART  or visit a nearby medical clinic or COVID-19 testing centre .

You can also call the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline (82-2-1330) for more clarification.

If you are Covid-19 positive, refrain from going outside and call a health centre or the 1339 call centre first for counselling. Foreign language services are available.

travelling to korea - facial mask

Follow the instructions provided by the 1339 call centre, wear a face mask , and visit a medical institution that operates a screening station . Upon arrival, let the medical staff know that you’re a tourist.

Suspected cases will be moved to an isolation area within the screening site for a supervised Covid-19 testing. If you test negative, you have to undergo 14 days of mandatory isolation from the last date of contact with a confirmed case. If the test is positive, the appropriate treatment will be provided depending on your symptoms and condition.

Korea’s measures to tackle the pandemic

travelling to korea - street view of korea

As of 19th April 2022, the midnight curfew for most businesses has been lifted, and private gatherings no longer have a limit of 10 people.

Starting from 25th April 2022, eating in cinemas and other indoor public facilities, including stadiums, is allowed.

However, you must still wear a mask at all times when onboard all modes of public transportation, and when not consuming food in an eatery. You must also wear a mask indoors at all times, and as well as outdoors if the place is too crowded and safe-distancing measures are not possible.

travelling to korea - using qr-code at a cafe

It is no longer a must to scan any QR codes, show a vaccination pass, or measure body temperature to enter attractions or eateries.

However, do remember to comply with temperature checks and hand-sanitising procedures, where required by owners.

We recommend checking Naver Maps for the opening hours and dates of specific facilities and attractions, since these may fluctuate due to updated safety measures.

Places to stay

travelling to korea - lotte hotel seoul

Most accommodations, including hotels, hostels, and homestays such as Airbnb, are available for tourists.

However, as of 10th December 2020, travellers must present their passport or a travel document to the owner of the accommodation facility, in accordance with rules set by the Korea Immigration Service.

A breach of this requirement will merit a fine up to KRW500,000 (~USD408.44) to be imposed.

For unvaccinated travellers

If you are unable to get vaccinated due to medical or personal reasons, note that even if you have a valid negative PCR test result upon arrival in Korea, you still have to test negative in a temporary residential facility and quarantine for a week . The expenses for staying in this quarantine facility has to be fully covered by you.

All you need to know about travelling to Korea in 2022

Travelling amidst the pandemic is a new normal that all of us have to get used to. From multiple Covid-19 tests to all sorts of restrictions, these safety measures may seem overwhelming at first. However, these guidelines are necessary to ensure everyone’s health and safety. Just take note of the steps in our guide to travelling to Korea in 2022, and have fun planning your trip!

Also check out:

  • 11 cherry blossom cafes with stunning views
  • 20 things to know before travelling to Korea
  • GS25 launches virtual convenience store
  • Kakao Friends X Care Bears collab
  • 6 romantic holidays celebrated by couples in Korea

Cover image adapted from: @incheon_airport , @koreanairworld and Polina Tankilevitch

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korea visit quarantine

Visitors to South Korea don't need to quarantine anymore

Sean Cudahy

This week, travel to South Korea is one step closer to "normal," as the country has dropped a major portion of its COVID-19 restrictions. As of April 1, South Korea no longer requires vaccinated visitors to quarantine upon arrival. This marks the end of a major COVID-19 requirement and, perhaps, just the change travelers were hoping to see when considering travel to the country.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

South Korean officials announced the move last month, even as health officials there continue to track high levels of COVID-19 spread. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travel health notice for South Korea currently is at "Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19," and the agency urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the country. Likewise, South Korean government data shows the country is seeing hundreds of thousands of new cases of the virus each day. With high levels of vaccination there, though, The New York Times recently reported leaders have felt comfortable continuing forward with plans to loosen travel restrictions.

korea visit quarantine

What the changes mean

According to the memo posted on Visit Korea, under the new protocol, fully vaccinated travelers can now enter the country without needing to go through quarantine procedures previously in place. Again, these changes are already in effect, as of April 1.

Vaccinated international visitors must register their vaccination status with the country's Q-code website , where they will be provided with a QR code that will be scanned while going through immigration upon arrival.

The Q-code site requires travelers to enter personal information, their passport number and travel information, as well as vaccination records.

One important note is that there are still testing requirements in place, even for fully vaccinated visitors. South Korea requires a PCR test that must be taken within 48 hours of departure.

Another important procedure to know before traveling to South Korea relates to the Electronic Travel Authorization form required for all U.S. citizens visiting the country. South Korea's K-ETA program launched in 2021 as a way to provide visa-free entry for international visitors. The electronic form allows visitors 90 days in the country, visa-free. Visitors can complete the application up to 24 hours before boarding a flight to South Korea, and the form is valid for two years once approved.

Getting to South Korea

Visit Korea reports airlines are seeing a "surge" in travelers booking trips to South Korea this year, and certainly the loosening of requirements will only lead to more travel to the country.

Whether you're looking to find the cheapest fare to South Korea or you've been saving up miles in the hope of redeeming them for a prime seat on a long-haul flight to Asia, there are a number of options over the coming months.

Departing from the New York area for the next few months, one of the cheapest options I found was in early May, on a round trip out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul aboard Star Alliance carrier Turkish Airlines. The $953 economy round trip is all on Boeing 777s. There's a sizable layover in Istanbul -- 20-plus hours. However, if you're able to carefully plan your sleep, this gives you a day in Istanbul without having to pay for a hotel. So, it could be a way to explore an extra city without an extra charge.

korea visit quarantine

Departing from the West Coast, I found round trips from Los Angeles to Seoul for 73,500 miles (plus $81.77) on United Airlines. According to TPG's latest valuations , 73,500 MileagePlus miles are worth about $889. Compare that to the cash fare for the same itinerary on United, which is $1,606 for the economy ticket.

korea visit quarantine

Meanwhile, you can get a cost-saving redemption if you decide this trip is the one when you want to cash in a larger sum of miles for a great seat. The same itinerary in business class goes for 350,000 miles -- worth about $4,235 according to TPG's valuations . The cash fare for that business-class round trip goes for $4,915.

korea visit quarantine

Related: How to get to South Korea on points and miles

Where to stay

Checking a few different U.S.-based hotel chains, one trend I found is that you might be better off booking in cash while staying in Seoul -- mostly because there are some pretty inexpensive nightly rates.

Among the best options I saw was the Aloft Seoul Myeondong. The Marriott Bonvoy property is available for just $68 per night.

korea visit quarantine

Related: 9 things to do on your next trip to Seoul

Bottom line

If you want to travel to South Korea, you're still going to have to go through COVID-19 testing. South Korea requires a negative test to get there, and the U.S. government still requires a negative test for your return trip.

At the same time, if you've been waiting the last two years for the right opportunity to travel there, you'll face fewer COVID-19 restrictions than at any point in the pandemic.

Korea Travel Restrictions: What To Know About Quarantine Requirements

  • Last updated Sep 21, 2023
  • Difficulty Beginner

Viajera Compulsiva

  • Category United States

korea travel restrictions quarantine

Are you dreaming of exploring the vibrant streets of Seoul or hiking the picturesque trails of Jeju Island? Well, before you pack your bags, it's crucial to have an understanding of Korea's travel restrictions and quarantine measures. As the world continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have implemented strict guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens and visitors. Korea is no exception, and navigating its quarantine protocols is essential for a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. Let's delve into the world of Korea's travel restrictions and quarantine policies, so you can be well-prepared for an unforgettable adventure in this captivating country.

What You'll Learn

What are the current travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for entering korea, are there any exceptions to the travel restrictions or quarantine requirements in korea, how long is the quarantine period for travelers entering korea, what documents and information are required for travelers entering korea during the quarantine period, are there any specific health and safety guidelines or protocols that travelers must follow during their quarantine period in korea.

quartzmountain

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact travel around the world, it's important to stay updated on the latest travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for entering Korea. The Korean government has implemented several measures to safeguard public health and prevent the spread of the virus. Here are the current travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for entering Korea.

Travel Restrictions:

  • Visa Requirements: Travelers from selected countries are subject to visa requirements to enter Korea. It is important to check the Korean embassy or consulate website in your country for the latest visa information.
  • Mandatory COVID-19 Testing: All incoming passengers, regardless of nationality, are required to take a COVID-19 test before departing for Korea. The test must be taken within 72 hours of departure and should be a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. The negative test result must be presented upon arrival.
  • Flight Restrictions: Some flights to Korea may be suspended or have reduced schedules. It is advisable to check with airlines or travel agents for any changes or updates regarding flight availability.

Quarantine Requirements:

  • Self-Isolation: All travelers entering Korea, including Korean nationals, are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period. During this period, individuals must stay at a government-designated quarantine facility or at their own accommodation. Quarantine facilities can be expensive, so it is recommended to check for any financial assistance programs available.
  • Mandatory Monitoring: Travelers are required to download and install a smartphone app called "Self-Diagnosis App" for monitoring their health status for the duration of the self-isolation period. This app allows individuals to report their health condition and receive updates from health authorities.
  • COVID-19 Testing: In addition to the pre-departure test, travelers may be subject to a second COVID-19 test upon arrival in Korea. The exact testing requirements may vary depending on the traveler's nationality and recent travel history. It is advisable to check the Korean embassy or consulate website for the most up-to-date information.

It is important to note that the travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for entering Korea are subject to change at any time. Travelers should regularly check official government websites or consult with their local embassy or consulate for the latest information before making any travel arrangements. Following these guidelines will help ensure the safety of individuals and communities as the world continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

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You may want to see also

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many countries, including South Korea, have implemented travel restrictions and quarantine requirements to protect public health and prevent the spread of the virus. However, there are some exceptions to these restrictions and requirements in certain situations.

Firstly, South Korean citizens and their immediate family members are generally exempt from the travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. This means that if you are a citizen of South Korea or if you are the immediate family member of a citizen, you will be allowed to enter the country and will not be subject to mandatory quarantine. However, it is important to note that all individuals, including citizens, are still strongly advised to follow health and safety guidelines and take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

Additionally, certain essential workers, including diplomats, government officials, and individuals involved in humanitarian aid work, may also be exempt from the travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. These individuals play a crucial role in maintaining essential services and international cooperation during these challenging times.

Furthermore, there are limited exemptions for individuals traveling for urgent and unavoidable reasons, such as medical emergencies or important business matters. In these cases, travelers may be required to provide supporting documentation and receive approval from the relevant authorities prior to their travel. These exemptions are granted on a case-by-case basis and are subject to strict guidelines and regulations.

It is essential to note that even for those exempt from the travel restrictions or quarantine requirements, health and safety measures are still in place. This includes mandatory temperature checks, health questionnaires, and potential testing upon arrival. Additionally, individuals are strongly advised to follow social distancing guidelines, wear masks, and practice good hygiene.

The specific rules and regulations regarding travel restrictions and quarantine requirements may vary depending on the current situation and government policies. It is important to stay updated with the latest information and guidelines provided by the South Korean government, as they are subject to change based on the evolving situation and the recommendations of health authorities.

In conclusion, while there are some exceptions to the travel restrictions and quarantine requirements in South Korea, they are generally limited to South Korean citizens, immediate family members, essential workers, and individuals with urgent and unavoidable reasons for travel. It is crucial to stay informed about the latest guidelines and adhere to health and safety measures to protect yourself and others during these challenging times.

Exploring the Landscape: Understanding the Current Travel Restrictions from California to Oregon

The quarantine period for travelers entering Korea depends on various factors, such as the traveler's nationality and the purpose of their visit. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Korean government has implemented strict guidelines and measures to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of its citizens and visitors.

For most travelers, the quarantine period is 14 days. This applies to both Korean nationals and foreign visitors. Upon arrival, all travelers are required to undergo a COVID-19 test and self-isolate for two weeks. During this period, they are not allowed to leave their designated quarantine location, which is typically a government-approved facility or private accommodation. Travelers are also prohibited from using public transportation and are closely monitored to ensure compliance with the quarantine rules.

However, there are certain exceptions and variations to the quarantine period. For Korean nationals, individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have valid proof of vaccination may be subject to a shorter quarantine period of 7 days. This applies to individuals who have received their second dose of the vaccine at least 14 days prior to their arrival in Korea.

Additionally, travelers from select countries may be eligible for quarantine exemption under certain circumstances. These countries are classified as "low-risk" based on their COVID-19 status and bilateral agreements with Korea. Currently, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, and Taiwan fall under this category. Travelers from these countries who meet specific criteria, such as having a negative COVID-19 test result and no travel history to other countries in the 14 days prior to their arrival, may be allowed to skip quarantine. However, it is important to note that these exemptions can change depending on the evolving situation and government policies regarding the pandemic.

It is crucial for travelers to stay informed and updated on the latest guidelines and requirements before planning their trip to Korea. The Korean government regularly reviews and adjusts its policies based on the current COVID-19 situation and global developments. Therefore, it is advisable to check the official websites of relevant authorities, such as the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the most up-to-date information on quarantine measures and entry requirements.

In conclusion, the quarantine period for travelers entering Korea is typically 14 days, with exceptions for fully vaccinated Korean nationals and individuals from low-risk countries. It is essential for travelers to stay informed and comply with the government's guidelines to ensure a safe and smooth entry into the country.

Australian Travel Restrictions for Hong Kong: What You Need to Know

As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the globe have implemented stringent measures to contain the virus's spread. In South Korea, one such measure is the mandatory quarantine period for all travelers entering the country. During this quarantine period, travelers must provide specific documents and information to ensure a smooth and safe entry into Korea.

First and foremost, travelers are required to complete an online health questionnaire before their departure. This questionnaire seeks to collect information about the traveler's recent travel history, symptoms, and potential contact with COVID-19 cases. The completion of this questionnaire is essential to create a comprehensive health profile of the traveler and assess the potential risk associated with their entry.

Additionally, travelers will need to provide a valid negative COVID-19 test result. The test should be taken within 72 hours before the departure and should be conducted at a designated testing facility. The negative test result should be in English or Korean and must include essential information such as the traveler's name, passport number, and the specific date of the test. It is crucial to ensure that the test result meets the requirements set by the Korean government to avoid any inconveniences during the entry process.

Furthermore, travelers are required to have valid health insurance that covers COVID-19-related expenses during their stay in Korea. The insurance should provide coverage for medical treatment, hospitalization, and any potential COVID-19 testing or quarantine costs. It is advisable to confirm the specific coverage details and policy limits with the insurance provider beforehand.

In addition to these documents, travelers may also be required to provide their intended place of residence during the quarantine period. This information is essential for the Korean authorities to process and approve the traveler's quarantine arrangements effectively. It is recommended to have a confirmed accommodation booking for the quarantine period before arrival to ensure a seamless entry process.

Lastly, it is crucial for travelers to stay up-to-date with the latest travel advisories and guidelines issued by the Korean government. These guidelines may vary depending on the country of departure and can include additional requirements such as a second COVID-19 test upon arrival or specific quarantine protocols. Staying informed and following the instructions from the Korean authorities is paramount to ensure a smooth and safe entry into the country.

In summary, travelers entering Korea during the quarantine period are required to provide specific documents and information to ensure a safe and efficient entry process. These include completing an online health questionnaire, providing a valid negative COVID-19 test result, having valid health insurance, and confirming the intended place of residence during the quarantine period. Staying informed about the latest travel advisories and adhering to the guidelines issued by the Korean government is essential for a smooth and successful entry into the country.

Exploring the Current Travel Restrictions to Scotland: What You Need to Know Before Visiting

If you are planning to travel to Korea and need to undergo a quarantine period upon arrival, there are specific health and safety guidelines and protocols that you must follow to ensure the well-being of yourself and others. These guidelines are put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public health.

Here are the key health and safety guidelines and protocols that travelers must follow during their quarantine period in Korea:

  • Pre-arrival requirements: Before traveling to Korea, it is essential to check the latest travel advisories and entry requirements. Some travelers may be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the flight.
  • Quarantine accommodation: Upon arrival in Korea, travelers are required to stay in government-designated quarantine facilities, such as hotels or guesthouses. These accommodations have been prepared to ensure a safe and comfortable quarantine experience.
  • Health monitoring: During the quarantine period, travelers are required to monitor their health daily and report any symptoms to the local authorities. This can be done through a mobile app or phone calls. Temperature checks may also be conducted regularly.
  • Testing: Depending on the duration of your stay, you may be required to undergo COVID-19 testing during your quarantine period. The tests will be conducted by healthcare professionals, and the results will determine whether you can be released from quarantine.
  • Essential items and supplies: It is advisable to pack essential items and supplies, such as face masks, hand sanitizers, medications, and personal hygiene products, to ensure your comfort and safety during the quarantine period.
  • Social distancing: Even during the quarantine period, it is important to practice social distancing. Avoid close contact with others and maintain a distance of at least 2 meters. This includes avoiding shared spaces and common areas in the quarantine facility.
  • Hygiene practices: Good hygiene practices are crucial to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
  • Face masks: Wear a face mask at all times when interacting with others, including healthcare professionals or hotel staff. Make sure to properly wear and dispose of the mask according to guidelines provided by the local authorities.
  • Follow local regulations: Stay updated on local regulations and guidelines provided by the Korean government. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to ensure the safety of yourself and others during your quarantine period.
  • Mental well-being: Quarantine can be a challenging experience, and it is important to prioritize your mental well-being. Stay connected with your loved ones through video calls or phone calls, engage in activities that you enjoy, and practice self-care.

Adhering to these health and safety guidelines and protocols during your quarantine period is essential to protect yourself, your fellow travelers, and the local community. By following these guidelines, you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and contribute to the public health efforts in Korea.

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Frequently asked questions.

Yes, there are travel restrictions in place for entering Korea. Currently, only Korean nationals, foreign nationals with valid Korean visas, and travelers with diplomatic passports are allowed to enter the country. All other foreign nationals are prohibited from entering Korea at this time.

Yes, all travelers entering Korea are required to undergo a mandatory quarantine period upon arrival. The length of the quarantine period may vary depending on the traveler's nationality and purpose of visit. Generally, the quarantine period is 14 days for most travelers, during which they must stay at a designated quarantine facility or a government-approved accommodation.

There are certain exemptions from quarantine in Korea. Travelers who have received full vaccination in Korea or have passed the required antibody test may be eligible for exemption from quarantine. Additionally, essential business travelers, diplomatic officials, and those visiting under special circumstances may also be exempt from quarantine. However, it is important to note that these exemptions are granted on a case-by-case basis and travelers must obtain prior approval from the relevant Korean authorities.

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South Korea Quarantine Requirements: What you need to know

Please note that The South Korea Health Declaration Form is no longer required.

Due to COVID-19 recent developments, these are South Korea Quarantine Requirements: All inbound travelers to the country 1) must present a PCR COVID-19 negative test issued with a maximum 72 hours time period, 2) must quarantine during 14 days, and 3) after the quarantine, they must get COVID-19 tested again. Foreign nationals will serve the quarantine at a designated government facility, and they have to cover the cost.

As a foreign national, you won’t only need to meet these South Korea Quarantine Requirements, but also you will require a South Korea ETA to get into the country. iVisa.com can help you to get your K-ETA smoothly and quickly. We have designed an online service tailored for those who need to take care of more important matters.

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  • Submit your online form. Our immigration experts will overview it.
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Are all foreign nationals eligible to apply for a k-eta.

No. Only foreign national from these 21 countries are eligible to get a K-ETA: Albania, Andorra, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Holy See, Ireland, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Palau, San Marino, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela.

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Do I need a COVID vaccine or vaccination certificate to enter South Korea?

No, you don't. As of today, COVID vaccination passports or certificates are not mandatory to enter South Korea.

Please note that All COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

Since information may change quickly, we advise you to follow up on the latest South Korea travel updates and/or contact your local embassy.

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Do i need to quarantine.

  • Quarantine requirements: There are no quarantine requirements.

Do I need to apply for the K-ETA only once in a lifetime?

No. K-ETAs are valid for two years. Therefore, after this period, you will need to apply again for a new K-ETA. Bear in mind you will also be required to reapply in case of expiration or loss of your passport.

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What is the maximum time I am allowed to stay with my K-ETA?

The maximum time to stay in South Korea with your ETA changes depending on your nationality. Not all of them have the same time limit.

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I have a friend in South Korea. Can I spend my quarantine there?

According to the South Korea Quarantine Requirements, the answer is no. Only parents, grandparents, sons, and legal partners can spend their quarantine at their Korean national or long-term resident's place of residence instead of a government facility.

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iVisa.com Recommends

Glide down the white slopes of the Alpensia and Yongpyong ski resorts. Close to each other, these were the main venues for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The first one, on Mount Paektu, is small (just six tracks) but is well-maintained and less crowded than neighbouring Yongpyong. It is recommended especially for families and beginners thanks to a long and easy track, several intermediate difficulties, its alpine roller coaster and a picturesque night ski service. The town, located at the foot of the slopes, also has a water park, a golf course and a casino.

But the most popular resort in the country is Yongpyong, offering: 31 slopes, 15 chair lifts and, on clear days, you can see the Sea of ​​Japan. Hoenggye Town serves as a transportation hub between the two stations, offering inexpensive restaurants, nightlife, and basic accommodations. Additionally, snow fans can find more options in the mountains west of Taebaek, such as the modern High 1 station, frequented by Korean celebrities. Located at 1,340 meters of altitude, its 18 slopes are connected by five chair lifts and four cable cars. They have abundant powdery snow and are home to the first Korean ski school for the disabled.

Apply now for K-ETA

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korea visit quarantine

  • Passports, travel and living abroad
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IMAGES

  1. South Korea Extends Quarantine Waiver To More Travelers

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  2. MERS: South Korea Authorizes Jail Time For Those Who Break Quarantine

    korea visit quarantine

  3. Korean Quarantine Facility

    korea visit quarantine

  4. All arrivals to S. Korea to self-quarantine for 2 weeks

    korea visit quarantine

  5. South Korea to lift quarantine requirement for non-vaccinated foreign

    korea visit quarantine

  6. [UPDATE

    korea visit quarantine

COMMENTS

  1. COVID-19 in Korea

    COVID-19 in Korea. Currently, the Republic of Korea has no COVID-19 testing, proof of vaccination, or quarantine requirements for entry to Korea. ... -19 testing facilities in Korea can be found on the Embassy website should travelers seek or require testing for travel to other countries. COVID-19.

  2. Korea Travel Safety Guidelines : Visitkorea

    STEP1. Travelers arriving from Quarantine Inspection Required Areas must fill out the Health Questionnaire or use Q-code to pre-register their information. Quarantine Information Pre-entry System (Q-code) STEP2. Required documents. Health Questionnaire. Passport. Q-code applicants can present their QR code in place of the required documents.

  3. Are you planning to travel to the United States or Republic of Korea

    Starting from April 1, 2022, vaccinated travelers who have completed vaccination overseas AND register 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 ...

  4. Things to Note When Travelling to Korea 상세보기|Embassy NoticeEmbassy of

    K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) Who should apply for K-ETA: Nationals from countries that have visa-waiver or visa-free agreement with Korea and whose purpose of visit is tourism, business, discussions, conferences, short-term study with stay below 90 days...etc. ※ The Korea Government has announced a temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries/regions from 01 April 2023 to 31 ...

  5. South Korea International Travel Information

    Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday ...

  6. South Korea Travel Restrictions

    Korea has resumed their visa-free travel. From 1 April 2022, travelers do not need a visa to enter South Korea but must apply for a K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) at least 72 hours prior to travel for the issuance of the boarding pass. Health and safety requirements are subject to change at short notice.

  7. South Korea travel restrictions: Country drops quarantine requirement

    The easing of restrictions comes as South Korea faces its largest COVID-19 surge yet. The country reported a record-high 383,651 cases on Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

  8. South Korea to lift quarantine requirement for non-vaccinated foreign

    South Korea's prime minister on Friday said the country will lift its quarantine requirement for foreign arrivals without vaccination from June 8 and also start lifting aviation regulations ...

  9. South Korea travel guide: quarantine-free visits for vaccinated

    From April 1, fully vaccinated tourists will be able to fly to the country quarantine-free. South Korea will also recognise more vaccinations, including those administered outside of the country, said the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This will allow more people to apply for quarantine-free travel. The easing of restrictions is set to ...

  10. South Korea to lift quarantine mandate for COVID-19 and end testing

    South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end testing recommendations for international arrivals starting June 1. In lowering the coronavirus alert level from "critical" to plainly "alert" starting June 1, health authorities will also lift mask mandates in pharmacies and small clinics. Wearing masks will still be required in large hospitals and long-term care ...

  11. Quarantine In Korea: What To Expect

    Quarantine In Korea: What To Expect. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we go about our daily lives and how we travel… or maybe don't travel. Things are opening back up again and a lot of people are looking to travel to Korea. The government recently made an announcement that more people would not have to go through quarantine in Korea.

  12. South Korea will require a 10-day quarantine for all incoming

    South Korea will mandate a 10-day quarantine for all incoming international travelers, including Korean nationals. The requirement will go into effect Dec. 3 for two weeks, Korea Disease Control ...

  13. South Korea Travel Advisory

    Exercise normal precautions in South Korea. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to South Korea. If you decide to travel to South Korea: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter

  14. South Korea Q-Code for Quarantine-Free Travel

    The Q-code system has facilitated travel to South Korea during COVID-19. Passengers who input their health information through the Q-code system can pass quarantine inspection procedures—South Korea QIPs—quickly on arrival. The Q-code verifies a traveler's health condition for airline personnel and quarantine authorities in South Korea.

  15. South Korea to lift quarantine, COVID testing for travelers

    May 11, 2023 3:17 AM PT. SEOUL —. South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end coronavirus testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the ...

  16. South Korea reopens to tourists without quarantine

    3 min. SEOUL — South Korea is allowing fully vaccinated travelers from all countries to enter without quarantine starting Friday, as the country relaxes coronavirus restrictions. International ...

  17. Guide To Travelling To Korea During The Pandemic: Visa Applications

    Image adapted from: K-ETA Since Korea has temporarily limited visa-free travel and the visa-waiver program due to Covid-19, travellers must apply for K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) before entering Korea.. Only tourists from countries that qualify under the Visa Exemption Agreement with Korea can travel to the country for leisure reasons, for a period of up to 90 days.

  18. Visitors to South Korea don't need to quarantine anymore

    This week, travel to South Korea is one step closer to "normal," as the country has dropped a major portion of its COVID-19 restrictions. As of April 1, South Korea no longer requires vaccinated visitors to quarantine upon arrival. This marks the end of a major COVID-19 requirement and, perhaps, just the change travelers were hoping to see when ...

  19. Korea Travel Restrictions: What To Know About Quarantine Requirements

    The Korean government has implemented several measures to safeguard public health and prevent the spread of the virus. Here are the current travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for entering Korea. Travel Restrictions: Visa Requirements: Travelers from selected countries are subject to visa requirements to enter Korea.

  20. Entry requirements

    Passport validity requirements. If you are visiting as a tourist for up to 90 days, your passport must have an 'expiry date' after the date you are leaving South Korea. If you are entering ...

  21. South Korea Quarantine Requirements: What you need to know

    Please note that The South Korea Health Declaration Form is no longer required. Due to COVID-19 recent developments, these are South Korea Quarantine Requirements: All inbound travelers to the country 1) must present a PCR COVID-19 negative test issued with a maximum 72 hours time period, 2) must quarantine during 14 days, and 3) after the ...

  22. Complete South Korea Travel Guide 2024: Korean Travel Tips

    Current Requirements To Travel To Korea In 2024. This part of the South Korea travel guide is for tourists. If you plan to travel for business, employment, or other reasons, check your nearest Korean embassy for the latest travel requirements. Most of the restrictions and requirements for travelling to Korea have now been scrapped.

  23. South Korea travel advice

    FCDO travel advice for South Korea. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

  24. Tourists have returned to North Korea for the first time since the

    The world's most unusual ski holiday Bychcova and the rest of the group arrived in Pyongyang on February 9, traveling via a North Korean-owned Air Koryo plane from Vladivostok.

  25. Farewell Fu Bao: South Korea says goodbye to giant panda

    A South Korean theme park in Yongin near Seoul on Sunday threw a farewell bash for one of its most famous residents, Fu Bao, the giant Panda.. Fu Bao — meaning "lucky treasure" — was the first ...

  26. South Koreans bid farewell to beloved panda Fu Bao before her return to

    SEOUL, March 3 (Reuters) - A South Korean zoo on Sunday threw a farewell party for Fu Bao, the first giant panda born in the country, ahead of the beloved animal's scheduled return to China.