South Korea Travel Advice

Entry requirements differ by country. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office issues country specific travel advice including Health, Visa and Vaccination requirements.

You can access the FCDO advice for South Korea at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-korea

Entry Requirements

All Travellers Travellers arriving in South Korea do not need to provide a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test certificate. There is no quarantine requirement for entry to South Korea. source

Children and Young People Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for all travellers to enter South Korea. source

Passport Validity

For those entering South Korea with a long-term visa, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into South Korea. For short-term visitors, your passport should be valid for the duration of your entire stay in South Korea. All foreigners living in South Korea are required to report any changes in their passport information on the Korean Immigration Office website

Visa Requirements

General If you have a British Citizen passport you can enter South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days without a visa. It’s illegal to work on a tourist visa.

E-Visa Requirements From April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, visitors from the UK and 21 other countries no longer need to obtain a K-ETA to enter South Korea visa-free.

Visa on Arrival Long-term visa holders can re-enter South Korea within 1 year of departure without the need for a re-entry permit. Foreign residents who intend to spend more than a year outside of South Korea should apply for a multiple re-entry permit via the HiKorea website

Travel Forms

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. To get a visa to teach English in South Korea, you must have a 3-year university degree, otherwise, it would be considered an unlawful job and can be detained and deported.

Legal Penalties

Custom Declarations Check the website of the Korea Customs Service for information on restricted or prohibited items that may not be brought into the country. Declare them on entry if uncertain.

Medications South Korean customs authorities allow you to bring small amounts of medication for your personal use in your carry-on baggage, provided you have an English language prescription for both prescription drugs and non-prescription medicines.

Military Service British males of Korean origin whose name appears on the Korean family register may be liable for military service even if travelling on a British passport.

Irish Passport Holders

Please note that this information is for British Passport holders only. If you hold an Irish passport then please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs for travel advice