This page was last updated on 29 October, 2021.
At a Glance
Most travelers from United States are allowed to enter South Korea, but there are restrictions.
Source: South Korea Immigration Services
South Korea: Open for Travel
Travel is allowed with restrictions
Travelers from selected countries are allowed to enter South Korea. Please check the documentation, quarantine, and/or testing requirements before traveling.
Source: South Korea Immigration Services
14 days quarantine
Mandatory 14-day quarantine
Most travelers must quarantine for 14 days on arrival in South Korea. Travelers may be tested during quarantine.
Details and Exemptions:This requirement does not apply to:
-A1 or A2 visa holders;
-Vaccinated travelers who are with a Quarantine Exemption certificate issued by the embassy before travel;
-Travelers who were vaccinated in Korea and whose vaccinations are registered with the Korean health system may be eligible to be actively monitored instead of undergoing quarantine;
-Travelers that have been fully vaccinated and are traveling for business, academic, or humanitarian reasons with a quarantine exemption.
For more details, please see the source.
Source: South Korean Embassy in the USA
COVID-19 test required
Mandatory COVID-19 test on arrival
Most travelers are required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival or a maximum of 3 days after their arrival in South Korea.
Source: South Korea COVID-19 response
Masks are required
Masks are mandatory in public
Travellers must wear masks in public places such as in airports, public buildings, and on public transport.
Source: South Korea COVID-19 response
Other Things to Take Note Of
Mandatory monitoring app
Travelers will need to download the self-diagnosis app on arrival in Korea. Travelers will need to respond to daily questions via a self-diagnosis mobile app for 14 days.
Details and Exemptions:Passengers who are unable to download the mobile app will need to provide a valid phone number and address in Korea to facilitate daily health monitoring by local government officials.
Source: South Korea COVID-19 response
Required Documents for your Trip
Re-entry permit required for foreign long-term residents
Foreign Long-term residents of the Republic of Korea (ROK) are required to obtain a re-entry permit prior to departing for international travel from Korea. Travelers Diplomats (A-1), Government Officials (A-2), International Agreement (A-3), or Overseas Korean (F-4) status are not required to apply for a Re-Entry Permit.
Details and Exemptions:Foreigners re-entering South Korea with a re-entry permit are required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate taken a maximum of 72 hours before departure to South Korea.
Source: South Korea Immigration Services
Document: Complete online
Proof of negative COVID-19 test results
Travelers, including nationals, must have a printed negative COVID-19 NAAT (PCR, RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, SDA, NEAR, and others) test result in English or Korean. The test result must be issued a maximum of 3 days before 12 am on the day of departure. The 72 hour time frame depends on the date the test result document was issued, not the sample collection date. Please check the source for more details.
Electronic results such as on mobile devices are not accepted.
Details and Exemptions:This requirement does not apply to:
-Travelers under the age of 6;
-Air travelers in transit;
-Travelers granted an exemption and have the required proof.
