Since last year Korea changed it's rules regarding the entry of the tourists in the country. 2023 is hoped to be an year of full recovery and there ae expected to come more and more people.
Below we made a list of, what you need to prepare before entering.
Right now, foreign nationals except, China, Hongkong and Macau, should, only prepare the KETA and Q-code upon arrival. However the previously mentioned countries will have to present a negative PCR test before and after arrival.
KETA- what is it and how to use it:
Nationals of the 112 countries and regions that were previously eligible for visa-free entry must now apply for K-ETA in order to receive a boarding pass. In general, the K-ETA authorization is good for up to two years or until the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first. Please click here for more information and apply for K-ETA here.
Last year on September 1st, 2021, the Korean authorities announced the reopening of authorization (K-ETA) for European travelers (tourists) to come to South Korea without a visa for less than 90 days.
But remember that K-ETA is not a visa, and it doesn't guarantee your entrance to South Korea, the immigration officer has the last word when it comes to this issue.
PCR testing, quarantine and COVID-19 regulations:
Starting 8th June 2022, visitors that come to Korea quarantine for unvaccinated international arrivals and flight regulations at Incheon International Airport will be completely lifted. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on June 3rd 2022 told in a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at Government Complex-Seoul, "A seven-day quarantine was mandatory for unvaccinated international arrivals. From June 8 2022, however, this rule will be lifted regardless of vaccination status."
Overseas visitors must enter their vaccine records to Q-CODE prior to arriving in Korea and scan the provided QR code upon immigration. Q-CODE will require personal information (passport number), entry information (departure country, airline, address in Korea, phone number), and vaccine records, no matter the time of the vaccine.
Beginning on 21st March 2022 proof of vaccination must be registered through the 'Q-code system' before departure and you should scan the QR code upon arrival.
○ The QR code issued is for one-time use, so please issue a new QR code on the next arrival.
Q-CODE website for application,.
This measure will continue in case you have a vaccine registered.
Entrants from Country (except China)
Koreans /Long-stay Foreigner(Proof of identity required) can do their PCR test at the Public Health Center. Short-stay Foreigner can take their PCR at Incheon Airport COVID-19 Test Center (at their own expense) or any Medical Institution (at their own expense). However, the PCR test within 3 Days after Entry will be Optional. In case of symtoms or pozitive testi
People from China, Hongkong and Macau, are mandatory to submit a negative PCR teste before and after coming to Korea.
FAQ on registration of screening results after arrival for those coming from China.
What is the standard for testing and issuing the “COVID-19 test” before entry that is applied from January 5, 2023?
○ Submit “Negative Confirmation Certificate” performed (the sample collected) and issued within 48 hours of the departure date, or supervised negative professional RAT result taken and issued within 24 hours of the departure date *
(Example) If you are departing from a country to Korea on May 23 at 10:00, 2022, you must submit your negative PCR test result taken after 00:00 on May 21, 2022 or supervised negative RAT result taken after 00:00 on May 22, 2022.
Can “Negative Confirmation Certificate” written in Chinese rather than Korean or English be uploaded in Q-CODE?
○ It can be acknowledged if the ‘screening method’ of Negative Confirmation Certificate is described in Korean or English.
- However, if the screening method is described in Chinese language, upload the Korean or English translation version along with the translation notarization document (translation certification) in Q-CODE.
* Personally translated document must be notarized by public notary or Embassy
I completed entering information into Q-CODE and got a QR code. Do I have to bring “Negative Confirmation Certificate” separately when I enter Korea?
○ Please make sure to bring a separate “Negative Confirmation Certificate” when entering the country in preparation for mis-entering information and checking additional quarantine officers.
Where can I undergo PCR screening after arrival in the Republic of Korea?
○ (Domestic persons or long-term stay foreigners) community health center with jurisdiction over place of residence * (Long-term stay visa) A-1~3, D-1~10, E-1~10, F-1~4, F-6, H-1~2, G-1
※ Visit community health center by bring document to verify that your are an entrant from China (plain ticket and passport, etc.) and ID card (resident registration card, alien registration card and certificate of reporting of residence in Korea, etc.) (responsible to prove one’s identity)
○ (Short-term stay foreigner) COVID-19 screening center at the airport (traveler to bear the costs of screening) * (Short-term stay visa) B-1, B-2, C-1, C-3, C-4 2.
How can I register (submit) results of PCR screening underwent after arrival in the Republic of Korea in the Q-CODE?
○ Visit Q-Code website(https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr) →Click ’REGISTRATION OF POST-ENTRY INSPECTION’ →Enter Passport Number, Date of Birth, Arrival Date and ’Inquiry’ → Click ’Input your PCR result’ → Enter Test Date, Test Result and upload Test Report (or text sent by the testing institution) → Click ’Save’
Can I upload the results of PCR screening that the screening institution sent through text messaging in the Q-CODE?
○ Please capture (screenshot) the text indicating your name, testing institution name, PCR result and upload in Q-CODE website.
**** All information is taken from the official Website, so all the credits are going there!
Incheon Airport, COVID testing centers and information: https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/medical/medical.do
Flip Korea wants all new tourists to have complete information upon arrival so make sure to check our website for new updates every time!
