COVID-19

[UPDATE - COVID-19] Entry in South Korea

Here are the latest updates on entry and visa conditions for Korea

COVID-19 protocols for international travelers

All antivirus restrictions regarding inbound travelers were lifted. Here is the timeline of lifted restrictions:

• Since March 1st and March 10th 2023, travelers from China are also exempted to do a PCR test upon departure and arrival in South Korea.
• Since October 1st 2022, all travelers (except those from China) are not required anymore to do a PCR test before midnight on the day after arrival 
• Since September 3rd 2022, all travelers are not required anymore to show a negative PCR result issued within 48 hours before arrival in Korea, or a rapid antigenic test issued within 24 hours before boarding. Still for those who want, travelers can do a free PCR test at their local health center within three days after arrival.
• Since June 8th 2022, all travelers, regardless of their vaccination status and nationality, are exempt from quarantine.
•  If you show symptoms at the airport, you are not obliged, but CAN get free PCR test within three days after entry at your local health center.

HOWEVER:

• All inbound passengers to Korea are required since March 21st 2022 to enter their sanitary information on the Q-Code System, in order to receive a QR-Code to present to the Korean authorities upon arrival. It is advised to fill in the information prior to arrival since arrival terminals at Incheon Airport can be crowded.
• Since January 5th 2023, all travelers coming from China, Hong Kong and Macau, are required to present a negative PCR or antigen test before boarding, and undergo a post-entry PCR test

*These rules apply to all travelers: residents in Korea, long and short sojourn visa holders, tourists who have received their K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) or who are exempted from K-ETA (i.e., nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, and the US (including Guam), from April 31st 2023 to December 31st 2024. Click here to read more).

Re-Entry for French Residents in Korea

Here are some useful information for French Residents going back and forth to Korea:

• Starting from April 1st, 2022, a re-entry permit is no longer required from French residents.
• Non-French residents in Korea can also be exempted from re-entry permits if they belong to one of the categories mentioned here.
• Applications for a re-entry permit to come back in Korea can be made though the HiKorea portal.

Reopening of all visas

All long-sojourn visas are open for applications for French residents including student visas, and working holiday H-1 visa.

The PVT visas was reestablished from March 15th 2022, and the eligibility for applicants was extended from 30 to 32 years old.

Short-term travel visas (C3) and e-visas (visas issued online for foreigners with excellent talents or group tourists) were also open for applications from June 1st, 2022.

You can apply for a visa to the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC). Visas are issued upon thorough verification and confirmation of the purpose of entry and after sufficient screening period (14 days or more)

Read more: FR

90-days visa waiver for European Travelers

Last year from September 1st 2021, the Korean authorities announced the reopening of authorisation for european travelers (tourists) to come to South Korea without a visa for less than 90 days.

Commercial activities (business meetings, market studies, contract signing, etc.) are allowed but lucrative activities (paid work or paid service provision) are not allowed in this regime of visa exemption between France and Korea.

Visitors who come to Korea without a visa need to apply for the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) few days before traveling, unless they are nationals of exempted coutries/regions (i.e., Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, and the US (including Guam), from April 31st 2023 to December 31st 2024. Click here to read more).

FKCCI will keep on pursuing its efforts towards thriving French-Korean cooperation and give you timely information, so don't hesitate to ask us our assistance at welcome@fkcci.com so that we can help you on a case by case basis.