South Korea
Warnings and insuranceSummary
TheBefore Foreign,you Commonwealthtravel, &check Developmentthe Office‘Entry (FCDO)requirements’ providessection for South Korea’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice aboutfor risksthe oflatest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
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South youKorea’s travelsocial distancing requirements are regularly reviewed and updated. You should check the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare websites (English) and follow local guidance. See Coronavirus
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FollowThe level of tension and contactthe FCDOsecurity travelsituation on Twitterthe Korean Peninsula can change with little notice. Tensions can rise following missile tests by North Korea and during the regular South Korean-US military exercises, which take place throughout the year. See Political situation,
Check Facebookthe foreign travel checklist and Instagramcrisis overseas page. to find out more about things you can do before and during foreign travel to plan effectively and stay safe. You can also sign up to get email notificationsalerts whento be notified about future updates to this travel advice. See Contingency planning
The South Korean authorities provide advice on responding to civil emergencies, and hold regular nationwide civil emergency exercises. Sirens are sounded, transport stopped and some people are asked to take shelter in metro stations or basements. See Civil emergency exercises and advice
Public demonstrations are mostly peaceful and well-policed, but the risk of violence remains. You should take extra care as in any crowded place. See Demonstrations
Air pollution, including yellow dust pollution, is updated.common in South Korea throughout the year and especially during spring months. See Health
Travel
It’s insurancenot possible to enter North Korea from South Korea.
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in South Korea, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
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Update history
2023-11-06 15:17
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-08-25 09:13
Removal of safety advice related to civil defence drill on Wednesday, 23 August and typhoon Khunan (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2023-08-21 13:03
Safety advice related to upcoming civil defence drill on Wednesday, 23 August (‘Summary’ page).
2023-08-09 12:26
Updated safety advice related to Typhoon Khanun (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-07-15 15:37
Information about the risks of heavy rainfall/flooding (‘Natural Disasters Page’)
2023-06-22 09:38
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-06-16 09:23
Information on the removal of mask mandate, quarantine/vaccination requirements, and free COVID-19 tests (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-03-30 09:20
Updated information on lifting of K-ETA requirement for visitors from the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-03-20 09:30
Updated information on lifting of testing requirements for travellers entering South Korea from China (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-01-30 09:24
Updated information on relaxing of COVID-19 indoor mask mandate (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-12-30 15:58
New COVID-19 entry requirements for travellers entering South Korea from China (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-11-11 09:39
Removal of emergency response information regarding the crush incident in Itaewon, Seoul, and addition of information regarding contingency planning (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-10-30 04:29
Addition of information regarding the crush incident in Itaewon, Seoul (“summary”)
2022-09-30 16:59
Updated information on PCR tests on arrival, which are no longer required as of 1 October 2022 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-06 09:41
Removal of information related to Typhoon HINNAMNOR (“Summary” page).
2022-09-04 08:33
Updated safety advice related to Typhoon HINNAMNOR (“Summary” page).
2022-09-02 10:53
Removal of pre-departure PCR test requirement (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-12 13:11
Addition of information on COVID-19 testing centres at Incheon (Seoul), Gimhae (Busan) and Jeju airports and recommendation for PCR test on arrival to be completed at airport testing centres within 24 hours (‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-07-22 13:29
Addition of information on COVID-19 testing centres at Gimhae (Busan) and Jeju airports, suspension of Korean Air and Asiana ticket sales on the Heathrow-Incheon route and requirement as of 25 July 2022 for PCR test on arrival to be completed within 24 hours (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-07-15 10:26
Addition of information on the requirement for travellers to log arrival PCR results on the Q-Code system from 15 July. Updated information on time-frames for applying for the K-ETA (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-06-29 10:58
Updated information on certificates of COVID-19 recovery (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-06-10 17:11
Updated information on entry requirements for unvaccinated travellers and data collection (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-06-06 10:43
Changing of testing requirements prior to departure. (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-06-01 12:38
Updated information on testing on arrival, quarantine requirements, and entry rules for children and young people (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-20 11:21
Changing of testing requirements prior to departure and upon arrival. Changing of definition of ‘fully vaccinated’. (‘Entry requirements’ page). Changing of quarantine policy for unvaccinated children with vaccinated family members (‘Children and young people’ page)
2022-05-13 15:36
Updated information on passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-29 10:51
Updated information on re-entry permit exemptions and quarantine exemptions for unvaccinated children. (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-19 14:47
Updated information on pre-departure PCR test requirements for arrivals. Updated information on arrival test rules for short-term and long-term foreign travellers. (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-04 12:35
Updated information on quarantine requirements for unvaccinated children travelling with vaccinated parents/guardians (‘Entry requirements’ page). Addition of information on the Q-Code System for quarantine exemptions and testing on arrival. Updated information on quarantine exemptions for unvaccinated travellers (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-18 13:26
Updated information on the vaccinations available for children and quarantine requirement if testing positive upon arrival (‘Coronavirus’ page). Addition of information on the Q-Code System for quarantine exemptions. Updated information on demonstrating your vaccination status when entering South Korea (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-24 15:54
Updated to reflect the availability of the Novavax vaccine (‘Coronavirus’ page). Amended guidance on demonstrating your vaccination status when entering South Korea (‘Entry requirements’ page).