COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in South Korea (9 April Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Visa exemptions have been suspended for nationals of certain countries. These countries can be found in this link.

• Re-entry permit exemption for long-term foreign residents in Korea is suspended. Obtaining a re-entry permit is required before departure.

• Exemptions include (a) airline crew, (b) passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card, or (c) passengers with a diplomatic, an official passport, or a service passport.

• Visa exemptions for nationals of Japan, and passengers with a Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong (SAR), and Macao (SAR) passport have been suspended.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes with exceptions

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

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

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

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

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• All travellers (including Korean citizens) arriving from overseas will be tested for COVID-19.

• Travellers in quarantine or self-isolation for 14 days will have COVID-19 testing carried out during the first 24 hours of quarantine/self-isolation.

• Travellers holding an Isolation Exemption Certificate) will have COVID-19 testing performed upon arrival.

• Travellers will have to wait at a temporary facility provided by the Korean government for the test result that may take 1-2 days.

Is a test certificate accepted?

• Yes

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

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• All international travellers (including Korean citizens) entering South Korea must have a COVID-19 PCR negative test certificate issued within 72 hours ​prior to departure. Children under 6 years of age are exempt.

• Merchant seamen with a visa must have a certificate for a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued at most 48 hours before departure. The certificate must be in English or Korean. Seamen must have two copies of the certificate.

• Travellers who do not have a valid test certificate will be denied boarding the flight, as well as entry into Korea.​​

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• All passengers arriving from overseas will be required to undertake either: (a) a mandatory 14-day quarantine at the travellers' expense at designated facilities for short stays under 90 days (this applies for C-3 or C-4 visa category holders) or; (b) ​a mandatory 14-day self-isolation at their place of residence. (This applies to Korean citizens, residents, and family members of Korean citizens/residents such as spouses, children, parents).

• The travellers must undergo a PCR test for COVID-19 within 3 days after arrival.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be subjected to 14 days of quarantine based on the specific requirements above.

Entry form required?

• Yes

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

Insurance Required

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Vaccination Required

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

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

• All Koreans and long-stay foreigners must install the Self Quarantine Safety Protection App.

Border Restrictions

• Significant

• The Korean government introduced an entry ban on foreign nationals from Hubei Province, strengthened visa screening of travellers from China and Japan, and designated China (including Hong Kong, Macau), Italy, and Iran as “quarantine inspection required areas”, to tighten screening of travellers from these countries.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• South Korea has suspended all flights to and from the UK until 22 April.

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

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

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• Seoul's municipal government has introduced a night curfew, with most businesses including restaurants, bars and cafes required to close by 21:00.

• There is a ban on gatherings of more than four people.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• South Korea has introduced social distancing restrictions. The details regarding the new guidelines can be found here.

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

• Schools and other educational institutions have opened.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Public transportation in Seoul is operating. Evening service hours are reduced.

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

• There are no restrictions on internal domestic travel.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open with social distancing protocols.

Bars and cafes open

• No

• Bars are closed.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing a mask is mandatory in public.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.