The VISA requirement varies per country. Participants from most countries can apply for the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization for entry to South Korea. Please refer to the web pages below.
K-ETA : https://www.k-eta.go.kr/
US : https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-ko/brd/m_4478/view.do?seq=1043693&page=1
Japan : https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/jp-ko/brd/m_1151/view.do?seq=1332341&page=1
PRE-DEPARTURE NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULT REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL(from May 23, 2022)
| ◇ For all travelers entering the Republic of Korea, a supervised negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result will be additionally accepted from May 23, 2022. |
1. Requirements
| Category | Requirement |
| ①Test type (Method) | ‣ It needs to be based on nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). * Either a supervised Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken at a hospital or clinic, or DNA amplification-based PCR test (RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, SDA or NEAR, etc) is valid. * All forms of self-administered tests are NOT valid regardless of test type. |
| ② Time of testing and issuance of PCR(RAT)negative certification | ‣ The test must be performed and the PCR negative certificate must be issued within 48 hours (two days) before the departure date. – A supervised negative COVID-19 RAT result must be issued within 24 hours prior to the departure date. * (Example) If you are departing from a country to Korea on May 23, 2022 at 10:00, 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. |
| ③ Required items | ‣ Name*, date of birth**, test method, test date, test result, date of issuance, and name of testing center should be included in the test result. * The name on the test result needs to match the name on the passport (middle name can be omitted as long as the other names are identical) ** Passport number or national ID number is acceptable in lieu of date of birth |
| ④ Test result | ‣ The test result must be NEGATIVE. * If the test result is “INDETERMINATE”, “UNCLEAR”, or “POSITIVE”, the relevant result is invalid. |
| ⑤ Language | ‣ The test method must be written in Korean or English. * If the test method is written in a language other than Korean or English, a translated copy of the test result in Korean or English needs to be submitted together with a certificate of translation. (If the test result was translated by individual translators, the translated document needs to be certified by a notary office or Korean embassy.) |
※ Make sure to check the arrival procedure for each country on the websites of diplomatic missions abroad prior to departure (http://overseas.mofa.go.kr).
2. Those who are exempt from the requirement of submitting a PCR(RAT) negative certificate(Responsible for proving yourself*)
○ Children under 6 as of the date of arrival (only if all the accompanying persons traveling with the child have submitted valid negative test results)
○ Individuals with quarantine exemption certificates for humanitarian (attending funerals) or official business reasons.
※ The exemption of test requirement for foreign nationals with quarantine exemption certificates for above purposes is effective from 18 November 2021 (The exemption is already applied for Korean nationals).
○ Flight crew(who arriving for air operation)
○ Individuals who departed from Korea for another country but were denied entry or otherwise did not go through with the entry procedure at another country before returning to Korea. This applies to both Korean nationals and foreign nationals, and the burden of proof is on the traveling individual.
○ Korean sailors departing from Singapore who possess a “Seafarer’s Book of the Republic of Korea” (effective until May 22, 2022)
※ Subject to change according to the COVID-19 situation overseas
○ Korean nationals entering Korea within 10 to 40 days of the date when they tested positive for COVID-19*
* A DNA amplification-based test such as a PCR test or supervised RAT taken in Korea is accepted, but from May 23, 2022, a supervised RAT taken outside of Korea will be also accepted.
○ Foreign nationals on a long-term stay who had COVID-19 in Korea entering Korea within 10 to 40 days of the date when they tested positive for COVID-19, taking effect from April 11 (only applied to those holding at least one of the following: residence card, overseas Korean resident card, permanent resident card, ID card of diplomatic mission in Korea or USFK Common Access Card)
※ Even if those who are exempt from presenting proof of a negative COVID-19 test, if they develop symptoms of COVID-19, they are not permitted to board their flight.
3. Measures taken if a person does not submit a PCR(RAT) negative certificate, or if a submitted certificate does not meet the requirements
○(Before entry) If you do not have a PCR(RAT) negative certificate or have a certificate which does not meet the requirements, you will not be allowed to board the aircraft.
※ A person who is exempt from submission of a PCR(RAT) negative certificate is allowed to board the airplane even if he or she does not have a certificate, or if the certificate does not meet the requirements.
○ (After entry) Korean nationals and foreign nationals on a long-term stay must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 1~2 days at their own cost. Foreigners on a short-term stay are not permitted to enter Korea.