COVID-19 Update

Dear KGCCI Members,

Starting October 1^st, all travel restrictions for Korea will be lifted. Please refer to below for more.

[Starting October 1^st]: NO post-entry PCR testing requirement

Starting October 1^st, Korea’s post-entry PCR testing requirement will be lifted. With the pre-departure test and the vaccination requirement having been already lifted earlier this year, this effectively means that all travel restrictions for Korea will be lifted.

Long-term visa holders and Korean nationals may undergo voluntary PCR testing within three days of arrival at their local community healthcare center free of charge.

[REMINDER]: K-ETA (visa-free travel)

Travelers who want to enter Korea without a visa must apply for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) at least 72H prior to departure. Please note that K-ETA is separate from quarantine or PCR testing requirements. 

Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare, Blue House Press Briefing, Yonhap News.

Dear KGCCI Members,

Effective September 3^rd (00:00 KST), Korea’s pre-departure testing requirement will be lifted. However, the testing requirement on arrival will continue to be in effect. Conclusively, the following rules will apply:

Before departure: NO testing requirement for travelers arriving in Korea starting Sept. 3^rd.

This applies to all inbound travelers arriving aboard a plane or ship regardless of nationality.

Upon arrival: PCR test within one day of arrival in Korea.

• Short-term visa holders: at airport upon arrival.
• Long-term visa holders and Korean nationals: at local community health center (free of cost).

[REMINDER]: K-ETA

Travelers who want to enter Korea without a visa must apply for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) at least 72H prior to departure. Please note that K-ETA is separate from quarantine or PCR testing requirements. 

Sources: BlueHouse Press Briefing, Korea Herald, ChosunIlbo, JoongangIlbo.

Dear KGCCI Members,

Starting next week, eased travel restrictions will take effect for international arrivals to South Korea.

For boarding:

Starting May 23^rd, the Korean government will officially recognize negative rapid antigen tests for travelers boarding flights to South Korea. However, the negative rapid antigen test must be taken by a medical professional and not be older than 24H prior to departure. PCR test results will continue to be accepted as before if taken within 48H of departure.

Upon arrival:

Starting June 1^st, travelers will be granted up to 3 days (instead of 1 day) to get a PCR test upon arrival. Additionally, the rapid antigen testing requirement for days 6/7 will be changed from a “mandatory requirement” to a “recommendation”. This effectively reduces the number of tabs for international travelers from 3 to 2 (testing prior to departure, upon arrival only; no secondary testing during the stay). Please also note that short-term visitors will have to get tested at Incheon Airport COVID-19 Test Center or a medical institution (at own expense). Long-term visa holders and Korean nationals may get tested at Public Health Centers.

Vaccination:

* Under the age of 12: Persons under the age of 12 will be exempt from quarantine if they are accompanied by a fully-vaccinated guardian (vaccinated with a 2^nd shot more than 14 and less than 180 days ago or with a booster shot).

* Between the ages 12 and 18: Persons between the ages of 12 and 18 will be exempt from quarantine if they have received their 2^nd shot.

[REMINDER]: Q-Code and K-ETA

We would also like to remind you that since April 1^st, fully-vaccinated travelers can enter Korea without quarantine. To do so, the vaccination and travel details must be registered on Q-Code (72H prior to travel). Travelers who are not fully registered or are from an area of concern may apply for a quarantine exemption as before via BTSC. However, a PCR test upon arrival, which can take up to a day for results to be out, is required to be able to move freely (see above).

Please also keep in mind that Q-Code registration is separate from visa issuance. To enter Korea without a visa, a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is required.

Additionally, German nationals already in Korea are exempt from re-entry permit obligations if they wish to leave temporarily. For more information, please refer to KGCCI’s COVID Update from March 21^st or HiKorea.

Sources: BlueHouse Briefing, Ministry of Health and Welfare 1, Ministry of Health and Welfare 2, Incheon International Airport.

Dear KGCCI Members,

Starting April 18^th, most COVID restrictions - most prominently gathering restrictions and curfews – are lifted in a major step towards returning to pre-pandemic life. The mask mandate, however, will stay in place for at least two more weeks. Please refer to the below for more details.

Starting April 18^th,

1. businesses may operate with no constraints on hours and capacity.
2. private gatherings and large-scale events, such as weddings, sports games, rallies, may be held without attendance caps.

Starting April 25^th,

1. food offering and consumption at multi-use facilities, such as catering or food tasting at supermarkets, or eating inside cinemas, indoor gyms, and religious facilities, may be allowed again.
2. COVID-19 will be downgraded from a “class 1 infectious disease” (e.g. ebola) to a “class 2 infectious disease” (e.g. tuberculosis, measles, typhoid etc.), meaning that infected persons may not be subject to mandatory quarantine anymore.

[REMINDER]: Entry regulations since April 1^st

We would also like to remind you that since April 1^st, fully vaccinated travelers can enter Korea without quarantine. To do so, the vaccination and travel details must be registered on Q-Code (72H prior to travel). Travelers who are not fully registered or are from an area of concern may apply for a quarantine exemption as before via BTSC. However, a PCR test upon entry, which can take up to a day for results to be out, is required to be able to move freely.

Please also keep in mind that Q-Code registration is separate from visa issuance. To enter Korea without a visa, a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is required.

Additionally, German nationals already in Korea are exempt from re-entry permit obligations if they wish to leave temporarily. For more information, please refer to KGCCI’s COVID Update from March 21^st or HiKorea.

Sources: BlueHouse Briefing 1, BlueHouse Briefing 2, Korea Herald, Chosun Ilbo,