New Entry Restriction to South Korea

Due to an increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea and the rise in second waves in many countries worldwide, the South Korean government has imposed new entry restrictions to combat the pandemic.

The new requirements took effect on Jan. 8, 2021 and now all international travellers entering South Korea (Korean citizens exempted) must present a COVID-19 negative PCR test result issued a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure as part of the entry requirement.

Those who do not have a negative test result will be denied boarding.

As well, all travellers regardless of visa type and nationality are required to be re-tested at a government-designated facility within 3 days of arrival and a 14-day quarantine is required for all travellers except for those holding a quarantine isolation exemption certificate.

For travellers looking to transit in South Korea, no visa is required. However, transit travellers must transit within 24 hours and are not permitted to leave the airport under any circumstances. Baggage will not be cleared and immigration clearance will not be granted to transit passengers at this time.