COVID-19 Update

To avoid new infections and re-infections, many countries including South Korea have implemented safety measures for incoming travelers. Please refer to our regular updates and information from the German Embassy Seoul for the most recent information.

In the early spring of 2020, South Korea was one of the countries that overcame the Corona crisis. The intelligent and digital COVID-19 management was successful in preventing a high number of infection cases in South Korea. During the urgent periods, KGCCI publishes COVID-19 Updates for business people. Currently, COVID-19 Updates are published once every two weeks and on an ad-hoc basis.

Please refer to our regular updates for the most recent information.

Current update (as of October 26, 2022)

Dear KGCCI Members,

 

[Starting October 27th]: Eligibility for 4th vaccination dose widened to all aged 18 and above

 

Starting October 27th, everyone aged 18 and above will be eligible for a 4th COVID-19 vaccination shot. Previously, only vulnerable groups (elderly, pre-existing conditions, healthcare workers etc.) were eligible for the second booster, commonly referred to as 4th vaccination dose.

 

Additionally, the vaccine manufacturer may be chosen at the registration stage (Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax, Skycovione) and will come to include omicron-adapted doses against the variants BA.4 and BA.5.

 

Vaccination appointments will open from the 27th onwards and can be made online via the COVID-19 Vaccination Reservation System or via phone by calling your local community healthcare center.  If you have any questions about COVID-19 vaccination, please contact Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) at ☎1339.

 

Sources: KDCA Briefing, KBS, MOHW.

As of September 30

Dear KGCCI Members,

 

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

 

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

Starting October 1st, 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.

As of August 31

Dear KGCCI Members,

 

[Starting September 3rd]: NO pre-departure testing requirement

Effective September 3rd (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. 3rd.

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.

As of May 17

Dear KGCCI Members,

 

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

 

For boarding:

Starting May 23rd, 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 1st, 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 2nd 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 2nd shot.

 

[REMINDER]: Q-Code and K-ETA

We would also like to remind you that since April 1st, 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 21st or HiKorea.

 

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

As of April 18

Dear KGCCI Members,

 

Starting April 18th, 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 18th,

  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 25th,

  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 1st

We would also like to remind you that since April 1st, 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 21st or HiKorea.

 

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