Recent Update
For the most recent updates, please click here and read this post of Korean Immigration Updates regarding COVID-19.
Starting April 1, 2022, no more quarantine for fully vaccinated foreign visitors to South Korea.
Updated as of Mar. 11. 2022 by Overseas Immigration Management Team of Central Disease Control, South Korea (방대본 해외출입국 관리팀)
Fully vaccinated South Koreans and foreign visitors from overseas will be exempt from a current seven-day quarantine upon entry starting Apr. 1, 2022. The exemption applies to those who were fully vaccinated in South Korea or overseas and have registered their vaccination record with South Korea’s Q-Code system before traveling to South Korea.
However, visitors from Vietnam, Ukraine, and Myanmar will be excluded from the exemption.
In order to meet the criteria of “fully vaccinated”, travelers need documentation that proves they have received all three rounds of vaccine shots. If visitors have got only two vaccine shots, they need to prove that they received their second shot at least 14 days prior to their trip and not over 180 days.
The type of vaccine has to be one of WHO Emergency Use Authorization Qualified COVID-19 Vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Novavax, SinoPharm (Beijing), Sinovac, COVISHIELD, COVAXIN, and Covovax.
From April 1, all visitors who want to be exempt from the quarantine need to register and submit the required documents on Q-CODE (https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr) system before their departures. Once registered, visitors will receive a QR code, which can be scanned by an immigration officer at their arrival.
For Q-CODE, the visitor needs a passport, vaccination records, proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, and flight tickets. The PCR test has to be taken within 48 hours from midnight of the departure date (For example, if the departure flight time is 10 a.m. on Apr. 5, 2022, the PCR test has to be given after midnight of Apr. 3, 2022.) Click here for more details on the negative PCR test requirements. If your certificate does not meet the Korean government’s requirements, your entry to South Korea shall be refused even after your arrival in South Korea.
Anyone who has not been vaccinated will be quarantined for seven days. Children under 12 years or anyone who has not received vaccination due to medical conditions will still be quarantined.
From April 1, foreign visitors can also use public transportation upon arrival from the airport.
All foreign visitors currently have to take three PCR testing (prior to their entry, one day after entry, and the 6th or 7th day after entry). Authorities will allow the third test can be substituted with a rapid antigen test instead of PCR testing with the exception of those quarantined at a state facility.
Please, keep in mind that the quarantine exemption policy is a completely separate issue from a visa or K-ETA requirement. Regarding visa or immigration questions, please consult your nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate. Click here for how to find the South Korean embassy or consulate in your area. (Scroll down to the 3rd section.)
For more specific or individual questions, please contact or refer resources below.
Resources for Covid-19 and Quarantine Updates
- South Korea Covid-19 Portal. The Korean section has more recently updated information if you can read Korean under Public Notice and Advice section.
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청)
- Incheon International Airport has the most recent updates and well-summarized information about entering South Korea.
- Another good place to find details about visiting South Korea under the Covid-19 situation is Korean Air Covid-19 Update Center.
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