For those who are planning to come to Korea or are curious about the process of entering Korea during the COVID-19 outbreak, you are in the right place. Korea has recently lifted all mandatory quarantine processes for inbound travelers who have completed vaccinations with some exceptions starting from April 1, 2022. Moreover, the requirement for inbound travelers to submit pre-entry inspections (PCRs, RATs) and negative confirmations will be suspended starting from September 3, 2022. Check out what to expect and prepare for before coming to Korea!
**Please note that the following information can be different in each country and can be modified by the Korean Ministry of Health. Check with your country’s embassy for more accurate information in advance.**
[NEW UPDATES FOR ALL INBOUND TRAVELERS]
- Starting from October 1st, 2022, South Korea will remove a COVID-19 testing requirement for all inbound travelers on the first day of their arrival. Those who show virus symptoms within three days of their arrival can undergo a free PCR test at public health centers across the country.
- Starting from September 3, 2022, all inbound travelers, whether Korean nationals or foreigners, arriving aboard a plane or ship will not have to submit a negative PCR test result.
- You need to take a PCR test within the first 24 hours of your arrival in South Korea.
- It is required to conduct a RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) on the 6th or 7th day following the arrival date. Starting from June 1, the RAT test will be no longer be mandatory but a recommendation.
- Mandatory quarantine is exempted for all visitors (including those who aren’t vaccinated) starting June 8, 2022.
- If you’re infected during your stay in Korea, you’ll need to quarantine for 7 days at your own expense.
▶ Those who completed vaccination outside of Korea refers to an individual who has received the second vaccination* from outside the country as of the date of entrance or who has received the third (booster) vaccination following the second vaccination and can verify the immunization history.
* 14 to 180 days following the second dosage of a vaccine (1st dose for Janssen) that has been approved by WHO
– How to verify: After putting information into the pre-entry system for quarantine information (Q-CODE), check vaccination history using the given QR code.
* Those who have completed overseas vaccination are required to attach a certificate of immunization history to the pre-entry system (Q-CODE).
▶The following nationalities are not exempt from mandatory quarantine: Vietnam, Myanmar, Ukraine
*If you’re from a visa-free country, you can apply for K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) instead of a visa for short-term visits.
For detailed FAQ regarding the process, please check the official document issued by the Korean government here.
*Please disregard the following procedure as it explains about the quarantine process.
Procedures of Quarantine in Korea
Step 1. Submit a Form of Agreement to Korea’s Quarantine Measures
Before boarding the plane, you will receive guidelines on the quarantine measures you have to follow in Korea. Also, you must submit a form that you agree to quarantine in an isolation center designated by the Korean government. Of course, all international and domestic passengers must wear a mask. If you need disposable KF94 masks, you can order the international shipping of your masks here.
Step 2. Undergo Temperature Check & Fill Out a Questionnaire & Install the App
After getting through customs and baggage claim upon arrival, you will undergo a temperature check and fill out a questionnaire. If you are suspected of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you will take the test at the airport. Please note that the sequence of this procedure can be changed according to the on-site situation.
Also, you must download the app ‘Self-Quarantine Safety and Protection’ on Google Play Store or the iOS App Store, which is available in Korean, English, and Chinese. You will use this app to update your health status twice a day during self-quarantine. The purpose of this app is to enable the Korean government to ensure you are following quarantine rules.
In order to verify your local contact number and download the app, book a prepaid Korea SIM card that you can pick up at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 within the quarantine inspection area. If you want to get your Korean SIM card and your Korean phone number before arriving in Korea, simply order an international delivery service!
Step 3. Head to the Quarantine Facility
Those with a short-term visa of under 90 days must be quarantined at a government-designated facility for 7 days. Those with a long-term visa can self-quarantine at home or a local accommodation for 7 days unless the place of residence is not judged as suitable by the Korean authorities.
Government-designated facilities include 12 lodging facilities near Incheon International Airport. The COVID-19 tests are free, but staying at a facility costs 120,000KRW per day, which will be randomly assigned and cannot be changed for personal reasons.
If you’re looking for a convenient and quality self-quarantine room (facility), also consider Trazy’s self-quarantine room booking service in Korea. There are three options: all-inclusive hotel/residence room rental (with meals & private transfer services), room rental only in Seoul/Incheon/Gyeonggi-do area, fully packaged hostel room in Seoul with meal options.
If no symptoms are detected at Incheon Airport, you can either go by private car, designated taxi, or shuttle to your place for self-quarantine. Using your own cars for transportation is highly suggested, but if that’s difficult you can use an Airport Limousine Bus exclusively for arrivals from abroad. You can also book an airport taxi in advance that provides a 24-hour transfer service to Seoul. If your destination is in Gyeonggi-do Province instead of Seoul, simply book an airport taxi to Suwon, Pyeongtaek, Bundang, Goyang, Hwaseong, Dongtan, Gunsan, or Hanam!
All vehicles are sanitized every day and equipped with partitions. Moreover, all customer touchpoints are frequently cleaned and hand sanitizer is available to use anytime.
Step 4. Start Your 7-Day of Self-Quarantine!
If you are in Korea without a fixed residence, you will quarantine at a designated government facility. Once you arrive you will be led to booths for more paperwork, instructions, and payment. Your meals will be delivered promptly at 8am, 12pm, and 6pm in front of your door. If you want to check out the smooth process and journey of going on self-quarantine in Korea, read this Forbes article by an American university student who visited Seoul for an internship.
Everyone has to undergo COVID-19 testing within 1 day after arriving in Korea, regardless of their symptoms. If you have a fixed residence in Korea, you have to visit a nearby public health center and take a test. Also, the additional COVID-19 test has to be taken before completing your 7-day of self-quarantine.
In order to proceed to a COVID-19 test at the nearest health center within 3 days, the usage of public transportation is not allowed. Instead, you can book a safe private round-trip transfer service to the health center for COVID-19 testing on Trazy! The driver will wait for you until you finish your test and take you back to your place. All vehicles are sanitized thoroughly every day and a partition is set up between the driver and passenger.
Check out Trazy’s ultimate quarantine care packages that provide everything you need during your quarantine, from food delivery service, online grocery delivery service to meal kit delivery service!
Must-Read Trazy Blogs on COVID-19 in Korea!
- The Ultimate Self-Quarantine Package in Korea
- Guidance on Social Distancing for Foreigners in Korea
- 5 Ways to Stay Safe in Korea During COVID-19 Outbreak
Hope this blog was helpful for you to find out what to expect when entering Korea. Also, don’t forget to check out the latest & trendiest things to do in Korea after you complete your self-quarantine on Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!
I’m a F4 visa holder with a fixed address in Gyeongsan city. I will be teaveling home to Guam in a couple of weeks and will arrive back to Korea in mid February. According to this article I don’t need to undergo quarantine upon arrival at a designated government facility, but am required to do a 14 day quarantine at home. Is this still true? My concern though is transportation. Can I take the airport limousine from Incheon airport to East Daegu bus terminal? Transportation was only mentioned about getting to Seoul or Gyeonggi-do area. How can I get to Daegu? Also, is it possible for me to take a taxi from East Daegu bus terminal to my apartment in Hayang, Gyeongsan-shi or are all public transportation restricted?
Is there wifi on the buses that take you to your quarantine place
During the entry process at the airport, is it required to have the phone number of a local Korean contact?
This requirement is referenced in the Forbes article you included above:
“At yet another, military workers telephoned the local reference that had to be provided by each arrival. This needed to be an individual that lived in Korea, spoke Korean, and, apparently, that was willing to answer the phone at 5 a.m. local time. It is this person that would be contacted if authorities were to lose track of the person quarantining.”
I have seen this referenced elsewhere but I’m not sure if a Korean citizen’s phone number is necessary, or is it enough to possess a phone capable of receiving Korean calls? (such as my personal phone on roaming mode, or using an international phone plan)
Hi,
Having a Korean local phone number would make it easier so that you can submit that information during the quarantine process upon arrival.
As long as you can download a necessary application and receive a phone call without even having it, that is also fine.
But since the policy is subject to change, we highly recommend you to check the detailed information on KDCD’s official website.
Or, you can purchase a sim card with a Korean phone number at the airport.
Thank you.
Thanks for the info.
I have heard that if a person has already received the Covid vaccine in his/her country and has the certificate, he/she can come to Korea and do not need to quarantine. Is it true?
Thanks
Hi,
Even you are vaccinated, you must do a 2-week quarantine once you arrive in Korea.
But please be aware that the policy is subject to change. We highly recommend you to check up-to-date information on KDCA’s official website.
Thank you.
What happens if you test positive just prior to being released from quarantine?
Hi!
You will be admitted to a hospital but we recommend you to check the detailed information on KDCA’s official website.
Thank you!
You may want to mention that short term visitors of Korean family members or long term visa holders may quarantine at their family’s home with proof of relationship. So it’s not “all” short term visitors, it’s “most” short visitors.
Is Trazy or other food/DYI fun kit delivery services allowed to the government-designated hotels? I know these facilities already include meals delivery at the designated times, but I’m sure I would want something else besides snacks at off-hours.
While you are in quarantine, can you socialize with other people who are in quarantine (who live in a different flat in your building)?
Imagine if you are Covid19 free. Then you socialize with your fellow quarantined building people who are infected. Now you get infected. And there goes your vacation now being spent in a hospital… Smart move…
Do I need to make arrangements for quarantine at a government facility or will that be arranged when I’m at the Seoul Airport?
If you mail me my SIM card while I’m in USA. When should I put it into my phone so it’s working when I land?
Hi, can I quarantine in the same apartment with a friend? Each one of us in our own room, separated, but in the same apartment
Thank you for putting together this info! I am moving to Busan in September and am planning on quarantining in my apartment there. I have a layover in Incheon Airport before flying out to Busan. I’m only realizing now that I’ll be tested at Incheon instead of Busan. Do you know if they will let me fly to Busan or will they try to keep me in Seoul to quarantine?
I’m just curious, if you don’t have enough money to pay the Q Hotel and I’m a short term visitor… Will I be able to make some arrangements to pay monthly or ask my friend if they can pay? I tried looking everywhere online but could not find anything on this… I hope you can help with this question. Thanks!
I completed mandatory quarantine for arrivals – tested negative each time – and was released last month. The quarantine app is still tracking me, may I turn the quarantine app off?
hello! the proce of 2,100,000 krw is still for 14days quarantine, am i right?
Hi, yes. Since the mandatory quarantine period has been reduced, the price range is also reduced. We apologize for any confusion.
Hi, I will be travelling to Korea from SG. I am intending to take a flight to jeju one day after landing in Seoul. Is PCR needed to board the flight to jeju? Thanks in advance!
Hi, it seems like the test result is not required for domestic airlines but please confirm with the airline just to make sure.
Hi. The airport bus service suspended? Is subway available from airport to city or must we book private transport?
I have read that the government facilities for quarantine are closed now. You just need your own private accommodation that they can verify. This is from the KCDA.
Is it mandatory to have Korean SIM card to travel? Can i rent wifi egg in Korea? Any concern of entering malls or contact tracing?