This page reflects the UK Government’s understanding of the current rules for people travelling from the UK on a full “British Citizen” passport, which apply to the most common types of travel.
South Korean authorities set and enforce entry regulations. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London maintains a notice list describing the latest updates to South Korea’s entry requirements, including those related to COVID-19.
All passengers
Covid-19 Tests and Q Codes
Upon arrival in Korea, you will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate and submit a questionnaire about your health status. The Korean government encourages all arrivals to record this information in the Quarantine COVID19 Defense (Q-Code) system prior to travel. Paper alternatives can be used, but may result in a slower arrival process.
All foreigners arriving in South Korea are required to provide proof of a negative COVID test (with some exceptions – see “Exemptions” below). Passengers must carry a paper copy of the document with them, or can upload the document through the Q-Code system. PCR tests (RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, SDA, and NEAR DNA amplification based tests are also valid) must be performed within 48 hours before departure. A supervised rapid antigen test (RAT, commonly known as a lateral flow test within the UK) issued by a hospital or clinic within 24 hours of departure will also be accepted. Please note that self-administered testing (including remotely supervised testing via virtual/telephone appointments) will not be accepted. You should check the details on the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London.
All entrants, including children aged 5 and under, regardless of nationality and length of stay, must also undergo a PCR test within 24 hours of entering South Korea (as of July 25, 2022). From August 10, all foreign short-term travelers are advised to undergo PCR testing at airport clinics. You can book a test on arrival at Incheon Airport through the Airport Clinic’s website. Foreign short-term travelers should pay for the PCR test at the airport clinic upon arrival, while Korean citizens and long-term visa holders can go to the local public health center for free testing. Arrivals are encouraged to record the results of their arrival PCR test in the Quarantine COVID19 Defense (Q-Code) system, even if they did not use the Q-Code system to demonstrate their COVID-19 status upon arrival. If you choose not to have your results recorded in the Q-Code system, Korean health authorities may contact you and ask about your test results. You must remain in your residence or residence until you receive a negative PCR test result.
If you test positive, you must follow the instructions for self-isolation and treatment issued by South Korean authorities. You will be required to stay in an isolation centre for 7 days (if you are a short-term visitor) or isolate at home (if you are a long-term resident and your accommodation meets certain criteria). At the end of isolation, you do not need to have another PCR test. For more information, please contact the Korea Agency for Disease Control and Prevention at 1339 within Korea (support is available in English).
Quarantine Requirements
There are no quarantine requirements to enter Korea, but as mentioned above, you must remain in your residence or residence until your post-arrival PCR test results are negative.
data collection
Make sure you have a roaming-enabled mobile phone with you, and/or the phone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update your health status with the authorities if needed. Hotel phone numbers are not accepted.
If you are fully vaccinated
There are no special rules for vaccinated individuals. Vaccinated travelers should comply with the “All Travelers” rules above.
If you are not fully vaccinated
There are no special rules for unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated travelers are subject to the “All Travelers” rules above.
If you have been infected with COVID-19 in the past year
If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to receive a negative PCR or Surveillance RAT (Lateral Flow Test) result as described above under “Testing for COVID-19” before you can fly to South Korea. You should carry an official note from your doctor detailing when you tested positive, the treatment you received and/or the isolation observed. If you test positive or uncertain upon arrival, South Korean officials will consider this information when deciding how to proceed. Some British nationals tested negative in the UK and then tested positive on arrival in South Korea. South Korean health officials have broad discretion in deciding what precautions need to be taken, and you may need to quarantine even if you no longer test positive.
Long-term foreign residents of South Korea who recently tested positive for COVID-19 in South Korea are exempt from providing a negative pre-exit test when entering South Korea within 10 to 40 days of their positive test result. You will not be eligible for this exemption if you tested positive for COVID-19 less than 10 days ago or more than 40 days ago, if you tested positive for COVID-19 outside Korea, or if you have symptoms of COVID-19. For more information, see the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London.
Otherwise, there are no special rules for individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 in the past year. You shall abide by the “All Passengers” rules above.
children and adolescents
Children 17 years old and younger can enter South Korea under the “All Travelers” rule.
There are some exceptions to the requirement for children to present a pre-departure PCR test on arrival – see Exemption from pre-departure COVID-19 testing below. Parents should note that according to adult regulations, young children must undergo PCR testing within 24 hours of their arrival in Korea.
If you are connecting in Korea
Transit is when you pass through a country on your way to your final destination.
All transit passengers will undergo temperature checks upon arrival in South Korea. If found positive, symptomatic individuals will be tested for COVID-19 and hospitalized. Passengers who are asymptomatic and/or test negative can continue their journey.
Passengers transiting at Seoul Incheon Airport will need a ticket/boarding pass to continue their flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline that their luggage has been checked to their final destination before departure (as transit passengers cannot claim and re-check their luggage upon arrival at Incheon Airport).
Transit hotels are located at Incheon Airport Terminals 1 and 2. It is possible to transit in South Korea (i.e. enter South Korea through immigration when there is a long flight interval), but you will need to meet the regular entry requirements.
exempt
Exemption from pre-departure COVID-19 testing
Children five and younger are not required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test or provide proof of a negative PCR test upon arrival in South Korea. However, they still need to be tested on arrival (see “Children and adolescents” above).
Check your passport and travel documents before travelling
passport expiry date
For those entering Korea on a long-term visa, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Korea. For short-term visitors applying for a Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea without a visa (see “Visa and K-ETA” below), there is no minimum passport validity requirement. However, your passport should be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Korea.
All foreigners living in South Korea are required to report any changes to their passport information (such as when receiving a new passport) online using the Korean Immigration Office website or by visiting a local Korean immigration office. For more information, please call the Korea Immigration Contact Centre (tel: +82 1345).
Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
visa
Visas and K-ETA
If you hold a British citizen passport, you can enter Korea as a tourist visa-free for up to 90 days. You must also have an onward or return ticket. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.
You must hold a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea visa-free. You should apply for a K-ETA at least 72 hours before boarding and is valid for two years from the date of approval. There is a small non-refundable fee. Visit the official K-ETA website for more information and to apply.
If you have a different type of British citizenship, or are travelling for any purpose other than tourism, you should check with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London for visa requirements.
Long-term visa holders: Re-entry permit
Foreigners residing in Korea on most types of long-term visas can re-enter Korea within one year of leaving Korea without a re-entry permit. For more information on re-entry permit exemption eligibility, please call the Korea Immigration Contact Center (Tel: 1345) or check the official bulletin list.
Foreign residents who intend to stay outside Korea for more than one year, in most cases, should apply for multiple re-entry permits through the HiKorea website before departure. If you need a re-entry permit, you should contact immigration authorities as early as possible and apply for a re-entry permit at least four working days before any planned travel.
English teacher work visa
To get a visa to teach English in Korea, you must have a 3-year university degree. A TEFL qualification alone is not enough. If you are found to have obtained a teacher visa by deception, you will be detained and deported.
British nationals teaching English in South Korea sometimes find living and working conditions less than expected, and difficulty obtaining the correct visas and residence permits. There were also complaints about breaches of contract, confiscation of passports, debits, insufficient or no medical insurance. Double-check all your terms and conditions of employment and, if possible, talk to other teachers where you plan to work before accepting any offer. If you are in Korea and need help, you should contact the British Embassy in Seoul.
For those with a work visa, all job changes must be authorized by the Korean Immigration Service.
Korean-British male
If you are a British male of Korean descent whose name appears on the Korean household registration, you may be required to do military service even if you are travelling on a British passport.
UK emergency travel document
UK Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from South Korea.
customs declaration
Check the Korea Customs Administration’s website for information on restricted or prohibited items that cannot be brought into the country. If you have any doubts about the legality of any item, including medicines, you should declare it upon entry.
Korean customs authorities allow you to bring a small amount of medication for your personal use, provided that it is in carry-on luggage. It is recommended that you write an English prescription for your prescription and over-the-counter medicines at home. It is also a good idea to consult the website of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety before you travel to Korea.
Back to the UK
Check what you must do to return to the UK.
