COVID-19 Travel Information

[As of January 30, 2023]

Quarantine-Free Travel to Korea for All Travelers Regardless of Vaccination Status

• except for travelers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao

• in the condition of pre-registered Q-code

Photo by “https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/quaranti/quarantine.do”

News: COVID-19 in South Korea

End of mask mandate: The indoor mask mandate in Korea was lifted at 12:00 a.m. on January 30. However, it remains in effect on public transportation, at hospitals, and at pharmacies.

1. New Border Measures: Quarantine-Free Travel to Korea for All Travelers Regardless of Vaccination Status (in the condition of pre-registered Q-code)

Border measures for new entry of foreign nationals are as follows. As of January 2nd, 2023, a prior PCR test is no longer required upon entry into South Korea except for Chinese passport holders. In addition, the PCR test required within 1 day after entering South Korea is no longer mandatory (If you have the Chinese passport, please see the “New Entry of Chinese Nationals” Section).  However, if you have visited China within 7 days before entering South Korea, please follow the contents of “New Entry of Chinese Nationals”. For details, please visit the MOFA website (https://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/nation/m_4902/list.do), and check all policies at the website of the consulate in your address.

• All travelers regardless of age are required to register (online) for the Q-code (https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/) prior to travel (See, Q-code Section).

2. New Entry of Chinese Nationals: (travelers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao)

Border measures for new entry of Chinese nationals are as follows:

1. Obligatory use of Q-CODE by arrivals from China (‘23.1.2. 00:00 ~(based on arrival time)).

2. Obligatory screening prior to arrival for those coming from China (’23.1.5. 00:00~)
   • Must bring PCR Negative Confirmation Certificate for screening conducted within 48 hours or RAT Negative Confirmation Certificate for specialists for screening conducted within 24 hours with 00:00 of the date of departure as the reference.
   • For more details, refer to [Website of KDCA] - [Notices] - [Public announcements] - ‘FAQ on submission of Negative Confirmation Certificate for overseas arrivals coming from China’

3. Obligatory PCR screening within 1 day of arrival for those coming from China (‘23.1.2. 00:00~).
   • Upon entry, register the screening results in Q-CODE website after having completed PCR screening within 1 day of arrival (within the date immediately after the date of arrival).

4. Obligatory screening and use of Q-CODE prior to arrival for entrants coming from Hong Kong and Macao (’23.1.7. 00:00~)
   • Make sure to bring PCR Negative Confirmation Certificate for screening conducted within 48 hours or RAT Negative Confirmation Certificate for specialists for screening conducted within 24 hours with 00:00 of the date of departure as the reference and complete inputting of the relevant results into Q-CODE

3. VISA: Foreigner entering Korea must have either K-ETA OR Visa

1. K-ETA

   [How to apply]: You can apply for K-ETA at www.k-eta.go.kr (Note: The Korean government did not designate any 3rd party agency or website for K-ETA applications).

   [When to apply]: At least one (1) month before departure to avoid unnecessary inconvenience. The Embassy has no control over the processing time of K-ETA applications.

2. Visa insurance varies by country and region, so please inquire at the Korean consulate/embassy corresponding to your address. If you are a traveler from a country requiring a letter of invitation for the Visa, please contact LOC (loc_gst@kasi.re.kr) as soon as possible.

4. Q-code: (for all travelers)

The Korean government operates the [Preliminary quarantine information input system (Q-code)] in order to provide prompt quarantine services for passengers entering the Republic of Korea. If you input your quarantine information in the 'Preliminary quarantine information input system (Q-code)' and have your QR code issued prior to boarding the airplane, you can complete your quarantine procedures more quickly at the time of your entry into the Republic of Korea. As such, we recommend that you use the Q-code by accessing the website (https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/biz/beffatstmnt/main.do?lang=en).

• If you have questions on Q-Code or assistance with any technical difficulties, please contact Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) at +82-2-2633-1339. The Embassy would not be able to assist you with Q-Code.

5. COVID-19 PCR Testing Medical Institutions:

Please refer to the institutions for PCR testing for foreigners listed in the table for diagnostic testing after entering the country (cost to be borne by the traveler).

• COVID-19 testing center in Incheon airport:

https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/medical/medical.do

• Daejeon:

6. Sanitary Measures at KASI (Meeting hall):

1. Participants are strongly recommended to wear masks in the meeting place.

2. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, etc.), please inform the LOC immediately and take the PCR screening. If your PCR screening is confirmed to be positive, please inform the LOC and be guided for the follow-up measures.

Any changes to these measures will be posted here.

Reference website

1. COVID-19, Republic of Korea: https://ncov.kdca.go.kr/en

2. COVID-19, Incheon Airport: https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/quaranti/quarantine.do