Open with restrictions

South Korea Travel Restrictions

87.80% of citizens have been vaccinated increase from 87.79% last week
Unvaccinated visitors from the United States need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result and quarantine to enter South Korea.
Vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter South Korea with a negative COVID-19 test result.

For restrictions that apply to vaccinated visitors, please check the official guidelines from South Korea for the types of accepted and permitted COVID-19 vaccinations, requirements on proof of vaccination certificates, vaccination validity period, and persons and/or groups that may be exempt from vaccination restrictions.

South Korea entry details and exceptions

Korea has temporarily suspended their visa-free travel agreement due to COVID-19, excluding diplomats, officials, or service passport holders; airline crew, and passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card. Visitors will need a valid visa to enter and are advised to consult their nearest Korean Embassy.

Entry restrictions do not apply to Korean nationals and their family members, government officials, overseas Koreans, diplomats, and International Agreement holders. Long-term residents are required to apply for a re-entry permit before entry.

Health and safety requirements are subject to change at short notice. Travelers should ensure they have all the latest information from the Korean Immigration Service website before arranging a trip to South Korea.

Outgoing travel to South KoreaTraveling from the United States to South Korea

COVID-19 testing requirements
Test type

Visitors from the United States must present a negative RT-PCR (NAAT) test taken within 48 hours before departing to South Korea.

Details and exceptions
All travelers are required to present a printed negative PCR test result in English or Korean language taken a maximum of 48 hours before departure. Children aged 6 and below, Korean nationals, and passengers in transit who will not enter South Korea are exempt from test requirement.
Travelers may be subject to take a Covid-19 test upon arrival at their own expense.
Quarantine requirements

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States will need to quarantine for 7 days upon entering South Korea.

Fully vaccinated visitors with approved vaccination certificates do not need to quarantine.

Details and exceptions
Travelers vaccinated in South Korea may be exempt from quarantine requirements. Travelers vaccinated outside of South Korea may also be exempt from quarantine beginning April 1st (2022) by registering their proof of vaccination online before departure. They will be provided a QR code which will be scanned upon arrival.
Travelers with a valid Quarantine Exemption Certificate (QEC), travelling for business, academic/public interest, official government duty, and funeral attendance, will be exempted. Meanwhile, QEC-related services for family visit purposes will be put on hold until further notice.
Documents
Entry permit for foreign long-term residents.
K-ETA
K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization that visa-free foreign visitors need to obtain before entering the Republic of Korea.

Return travelReturning to the United States from South Korea

COVID-19 testing requirements
Test type

Travelers returning from South Korea must present a negative RT-PCR (NAAT) or Antigen (quick-test) test taken within 1 day for RT-PCR (NAAT) and 1 day for Antigen (quick-test) before departure to the United States.

Details and exceptions
Effective:December 6th, 2021: A COVID-19 negative test result taken within 1 day before departure must be presented to the airline before boarding your flight. This applies to ALL incoming air travelers, regardless of vaccination status or nationality.
Children under the age of 2 are exempt from test requirements as well as travelers who have both valid proof or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days and a letter from a valid healthcare authority who has stated that they are cleared for travel. Refer to the CDC Website for more details.
Quarantine requirements

Visitors returning from South Korea are not required to quarantine upon entering the United States.

Details and exceptions
Foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. immigrants) who are not fully vaccinated and are permitted to travel to the US by air by meeting certain vaccine exemptions are required to self quarantine for 7 days, unless they have a valid COVID-19 recovery document.
Travelers should also follow state and local requirements and recommendations after travel.
Documents

Other COVID-19 restrictions for South Korea

Masks:Required in public spaces.
Restaurants:Open with restrictions
Bars:Open with restrictions

Additional resources

FAQs

For press inquiries and corrections to the travel restrictions information, please email us.

If you're looking for personalized travel advice for your own travel plans like whether or not a restriction applies to your trip, we won't be able to answer any questions or offer advice. Please consult your local government's resources.

travel-restrictions@kayak.com