Passengers do not typically need a visa to transit through South Korea unless they intend to leave the airport. However, entry permission is required for travelers who wish to pass through immigration and enter South Korea between connecting flights. Visitors entering the Republic of Korea (ROK) must hold a valid passport and visa to enter the country. Nationals of visa waiver or visa-free countries may enter the country without a visa for tourism purposes only.
From April 1, 2023, until December 31, 2024, 22 countries/regions have issued electronic travel authorization (K-ETA) for travelers entering Korea. A valid U.S. passport is required for entry, but is not required for stays of 90 days or less from April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. Mandatory quarantine instructions are in place for all incoming travelers to Korea.
From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, passport holders from 22 countries, including the US, UK, and India, must have a valid passport and visa. Transit visas are not required for travelers in transit through South Korea for less than 24 hours (for Incheon Airport) or when departing on the same calendar day (for all other airports). Indian nationals are required to obtain a visa prior to traveling to the Republic of Korea, but there is a special provision that allows visas on arrival.
South Korea has established visa exemption agreements with several countries, allowing for hassle-free visits for tourism, business, or visiting relatives. Incheon airport offers visa-free and no-country-entry stopover and international transfer for anyone, except North Koreans. US citizens are currently visa-free in Korea and do not require the K-ETA. Tourists in transit to another country via Korea can visit Korea without a visa for up to 30 days.
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Who needs a visa to enter Korea?
To enter Seoul, visitors must have a valid passport and visa. Visa waiver or visa-free countries can enter the country for tourism purposes without a visa, but proper visas are required for employment or education. Non-visa waiver countries must apply for visas at the nearest Korean embassy or consulate. General passport holders can enter and stay in the Republic of Korea for up to 30 days for tourism or visitation. The visa-waiver agreement with Liberia has been temporarily suspended as of July 18, 2019.
Does Ukrainian need a visa to South Korea?
A tourist visa to the Republic of Korea permits a maximum of 30 days of stay, with a 90-day corridor established upon submission of the passport to the consular section. A short-term visa (C-3) may be issued for a variety of purposes, including tourism, participation in exhibitions or seminars, attendance at festivals, business-related activities, visas for sailors, visits to friends or relatives, participation in sports competitions, and transit.
Do you need a visa to fly through Seoul?
In order to gain entry into the Republic of Korea, it is necessary to possess a valid passport issued by the United States of America. From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) will not be required for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. A visa is required for those seeking employment, engaged in teaching English, or intending to remain in the country for an extended period. Those who overstay or fail to possess a valid visa may be subject to detention and financial penalties.
In the event of an overstay, it is advisable to apply for a visa extension from the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) and to seek guidance from the KIS with regard to potential changes to visa category.
Does Seoul have visa on arrival?
It should be noted that South Korea does not offer visas upon arrival for Indian travelers. Consequently, they are required to obtain a visa before departing their country of origin. Indian nationals may apply for a variety of South Korean visas, the types of which are contingent upon the objectives of their trip. Each visa type has its own set of criteria. The application process necessitates the submission of fundamental personal, contact, and passport data, and Indian applicants are required to comply with the specified health and safety criteria. A comprehensive list of the requisite South Korean visa documentation for Indian citizens can be accessed via the internet.
Can I transit through Korea without visa?
The Korean Government has reinstated the Tourist in Transit (B2) program, which permits non-U. S. citizens to visit Korea without a visa for up to 30 days if they travel from their country of origin to another country via Korea. This program is only applicable if the foreigner visits Korea from the country of departure and subsequently returns to that country. It should be noted that a visa is required for those visiting only Korea from the country of departure.
Do Russians need a visa to South Korea?
Individuals holding Russian passports who are visiting South Korea for a brief period of 60 days or less are exempt from the necessity of obtaining a visa. It is requisite that the individual in question possess a valid Russian passport for a period of six months beyond the intended duration of their stay, as well as proof of onward travel from South Korea. For further details regarding South Korean visa options, please consult the website of the nearest embassy or consulate.
Do I need to go through immigration for a connecting flight in Korean?
Incheon (ICN) is an efficient airport for international connections, taking only 45 minutes. Passing through customs and passport control is unnecessary unless entering South Korea. International transfers require an additional security check, which can take 3-4 hours. Baggage should be checked through by the airline, but changing airlines or booking separate itineraries may require a 3-4 hour transfer time.
To explore Seoul, a layover of 8-10 hours is recommended. The airport takes 30-45 minutes to deplane, go through immigration and customs, and then 45-60 minutes to transit to downtown. After exploring, it takes 3 hours to return to the airport, and 2 hours to go back through security and board the plane. Overall, a layover of 8-10 hours is recommended for a smoother experience.
Do I need a visa if I have a layover in Incheon?
Incheon Airport offers visa-free transit for up to 24 hours without entering Korea. It should be noted that checked baggage cannot be collected and re-checked during transfer if the passenger is not entering Korea. Nevertheless, it is possible to have the baggage checked through to the final destination at the domestic departure airport. All airlines permit the checking in of baggage for the onward flight.
Does Korean Air require transit visa?
In the event of a layover in South Korea without an exit from the airport, a transit visa is not required. Nevertheless, in order to fully appreciate the duration of your layover, it is advisable to obtain a short-stay tourist visa. A number of transit visa exemptions are available for Indian nationals visiting or departing from South Korea.
Do foreigners need visa to visit Korea?
Individuals of Korean nationality who do not possess a passport may gain entry to Korea by registering for K-ETA, an electronic travel authorization system that has been operational since September 1, 2021. This enables them to board aircraft or vessels destined for Korea.
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Thank you so so much for this article, sincerely. I am flying over there in about 2 months, for a month. I am travelling alone and whilst I do speak english and somewhat korean (studiying for the past 3 years), I get anxious in crowded big spaces. I know my brain can keep it cool in the moment, but being away for this long and alone, is a first so I’m guessing my anxiety will be going through the roof. Probably won’t be able to breathe until I finally get to my apartment. But again, this article has taken off some weight off my shoulders, thank you 🥹🫶🏻
Thanks so much for your great article.Can you pay the T money card with the U.S. credit card or it has to be cash? And do they have any ATM where we can withdraw cash at the Gimpo airport? And can U pay the train/subway/bus with your credit card or do you have to have a T money card to pay for transportation in Seoul? Thanks so much for your prompt response.
I am still a newbie when it comes to new tech. I have an old Samsung S9 phone I plan to use when we visit South Korea in November. Should I purchase an e-sim or plain SIM card? Will I be able to navigate in South Korea with just using the SIM card in my phone? Or do I have to buy portable wi-fi / internet at the airport? Please advise. Thanks.
Hey, when i went to Korea last year you needed a Q-Code (which you could still get at arrival but it was more convenient to do it before the flight) is that still needed and if not, do you need anything else? And my country doesn’t need a K-ETA but I heard it is quicker to just get one beforehand. Can i still get one?
The introduction to this article is utter madness. “The success of your trip to Korea hinges on your very first hour here”. Way to increase people’s anxiety. Your first hour will most likely be fine and, even if it doesn’t go well, it doesn’t have to affect the rest of your trip. If you said that just to get people to comment, well played!