With effect from 03 September 2022, all inbound travellers are exempted from presenting a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result during entry into South Korea, regardless of vaccination status. This will include travellers who will depart from a 3rd country on 02 September 2022 and arrive in Korea on 03 September 2022, 0000hrs onwards.
All travellers are still subjected to an on-arrival PCR test within 1 day of arrival and required to upload the test result on Quarantine COVID-19 Defence (Q-code) website.
However, travelers are strongly encouraged to self-test before departure, to avoid getting a positive test after arrival and being stuck in a 7-day quarantine.
Highlights of the relaxed entry restrictions:
- Travelers are encouraged to register their travel and health information through the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) system BEFORE traveling to Korea in order to streamline the airport arrival process.
- Travelers who exhibit symptoms (fever, cough) upon arrival must be tested for COVID-19 at their own expense before they are allowed to leave the airport.
- All arriving passengers are required to take a PCR test within one day after arrival regardless of vaccination or age, and must upload the results into the Q-Code System. Short-term travelers are encouraged to contact the Incheon Airport Testing Center to make an appointment for testing prior to travel. A RAT test within 6-7 days is also recommended.
- Short-term travelers who are infected with COVID-19 upon arrival in Korea may be taken to a government designated quarantine facility for 7 days and must pay for their treatment. In some cases, short-term travelers have been able to quarantine in a private home or rental home, depending on their lodging arrangements. This must be arranged directly with KDCA or the local public health office.
- Additional questions regarding Korean entry and quarantine requirements should be directed to your nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate. You can consult the ROK COVID-19 Portal , Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) for more information.
The latest relaxing of rules comes amid an easing in case numbers with daily COVID infections hovering around 100,000 in recent weeks compared with more than 180,000 in mid-August. The vast majority of infections have been mild.
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