COVID 19 - Advisory Korea

Updated as of March 29th, 2021.

KOTRA launched a logistics service to assist small and medium-sized companies in assuring distribution in the context of the global pandemic. Any SMEs, including foreign-invested companies, which find difficulty in establishing their own distribution centers overseas to import products in Korea (including sourcing import of raw and subsidiary materials) can jointly use warehouse of local KOTRA partner logistics companies.

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The outbreak of the virus has disturbed significantly the transport & logistics operations worldwide and in Asia. In China, most freight services (airports, ports and trucking) have recovered as Bolloré Logistics reports, but the price has increased significantly. In Korea, all ports, airports and customs office are operational, but the situation remains very tight with increasing rates for air freight with Europe and the USA. Bolloré Logistics also reports regarding sea freight that total lead time of the vessel is getting longer due to added sailing port without prior notice, but terminal congestion has been more and more stabilizing. Regarding global air freight, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a platform to help companies have updated information on a daily basis on cargo operations available here. Upon entry at Incheon Airport, a sanitary checkpoint is put in place.

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The entry of non-EU foreign nationals in France is currently forbidden. Exemptions can be granted if the traveler gives a valid emergency reason:

• Important family or health reasons
• Unavoidable professional reasons (health workers, diplomats and public institutions staffs, air travel staffs, etc.)

If the reason is valid, the traveler can enter without a visa (3 months maximum stay). Before departure, a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before boarding, a written pledge stating that were no Covid-19 symptoms and no contact with Covid-19 patients within 14 days before boarding are required. France requires also a 7 days long self isolation after entering the country. A second PCR test must be taken after this 7 days period. Downloading the smartphone application " "TousAntiCovid" is recommended.

French residents abroad coming back to France are also highly recommended to follow these measures.

For more information in French, refer to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

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For more information in English, refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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For more information on travel regulations around the world, refer to the National Association of Air Transportation.

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Entry in Korea

The issuance of all Korean visas for residents in France has been suspended since March 3rd 2021 until further notice except in case of diplomatic, public affairs, important business purposes or humanitarian reasons. The prolongation of visas and resident cards for French residents already in Korea won't be affected by this decision and can be carried out as usual. Additionally, from March 15th 2021, visa applications for Korea will be handled by the newly opened Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Paris

Upon arrival, all inbound travelers are required to undergo a 2 weeks self-quarantine. Additionally, from January 8th, all foreign residents going or returning to Korea are required to present negative PCR test results within 72 hours prior to departure, in English or officially translated to Korean.  After entry in Korea, quarantine conditions remain unchanged, meaning another PCR test need to be taken within 72 hours upon return. After the 14 days of quarantine, if the local authorities assess the person is still at risk, it could require a third PCR test. If not considered at risk, the third PCR test is not obligatory.

Additionally, since the leveling up of the social distancing scheme in Korea, the quarantine exemption procedure is suspended for 77 countries hit by a Covid-19 variant including France, but an exception might be provided, upon request, for C-level executives (임원급). To benefit from this exception, high-level executives need to justify the signature of a contract or agreement, an action to perform onsite for a new facility construction or maintenance, or any action considered by the government as inevitably performed through a quarantine exemption. 

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For some countries (Japan, Singapore, China, Indonesia), Korea also signed fast track agreements to facilitate business trips.

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