Is it safe to travel to South Korea right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of South Korea’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in South Korea set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the South Korean Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ after the date you are leaving South Korea.

To enter South Korea on a long-term visa, your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can enter South Korea for up to 90 days for short-term business or tourism. You must have an onward or return ticket. It’s illegal to be employed in South Korea while visiting visa-free, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.

South Korea operates an electronic travel authorisation system called K-ETA. Anyone eligible for visa-free entry to South Korea is usually required to get K-ETA approval before departure. However, British nationals travelling visa-free to South Korea are temporarily exempt from requiring a K-ETA until December 31, 2026. Further information about the K-ETA exemption can be found on the K-ETA notice board.

If you need to apply for a K-ETA, you should ensure that you apply through the Korean government’s official K-ETA website. Other sites offering K-ETA application services are generally scams. It can take up to 72 hours for K-ETA approval to be granted.

If you are travelling for any purpose other than short-term business or tourism, check visa requirements with the South Korean Embassy in the UK.

For those in South Korea on a work visa, all employment changes must be authorised by Korean Immigration.

Re-entry permits for long-term visa holders

Most foreign nationals in South Korea on long-term visas are allowed to re-enter South Korea within one year of departure without the need for a re-entry permit. Check with the Korea Immigration Service.

If you are resident and intend to spend more than a year outside of South Korea, in most cases, you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit via the Hi Korea website before departure. If you require a re-entry permit, engage early with the immigration authorities and apply for a re-entry permit at least 4 working days ahead of any planned travel.

Visas for working as an English teacher

To get a visa to teach English in South Korea, you must have a 3-year university degree. A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification alone is not enough. If you are found to have a teaching visa by deception, you will be detained and deported.

British nationals teaching English in South Korea have sometimes found living and working conditions to be below their expectation or have had difficulties getting the correct visas and residence permits. Some also report more serious problems such as breach of contract, confiscation of passport, payment being withheld and inadequate insurance.

Check all terms and conditions of your employment carefully. If possible, speak to other teachers from the place where you plan to work before accepting any offer. If you are in South Korea and in need of assistance, you should contact the British Embassy in Seoul.

Entry declaration form

Foreign nationals entering South Korea are required to submit an entry declaration form (arrivals card) to the immigration officer upon arrival. Passengers may submit an e-Arrival card online in advance instead of submitting a paper form to the immigration officers.

You can submit the e-Arrival card within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in Korea. There is no fee to submit the e-Arrival card. Travellers should visit the e-Arrival card website for further details on the e-Arrival card submission process. Paper entry declaration forms will still be available.

Health screening

All travellers arriving in South Korea from ‘Strict Quarantine Inspection Required Areas’ (including those who have transited in a ‘Strict Quarantine Inspection Required Area’) need to submit a health questionnaire, either through the pre-entry Q-Code system or by completing a paper-based questionnaire on arrival in South Korea. Travellers arriving in South Korea from ‘Quarantine Inspection Required Areas’ who exhibit symptoms must also submit a Q-Code or paper-based health questionnaire.

The UK is currently designated as a ‘Quarantine Inspection Required Area’, meaning that if you have any symptoms of illness you must submit a Q-Code or paper-based health questionnaire on arrival.

Travellers should check the full list of Quarantine Inspection Required Areas prior to travel, as the countries on the lists change frequently. If you need to submit a questionnaire, you should also review the Q-Code submission process. Failure to complete required health screenings could result in a fine of up to KRW 10 million.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s South Korea guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of South Korea. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid beyond the date of expected departure from South Korea.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 180 days*
Business visa: not required for stays of up to 180 days*
Student visa: required (must be obtained outside South Korea)
Work visa: required (must be obtained outside South Korea)

*Canadians are exempt from the Korea Electronic Travel Authority (K-ETA) requirement until December 31, 2026.

You can't change your visa status once you're in South Korea as a tourist.

If you wish to extend the length of your visa, contact the Korea Immigration Service as soon as possible to apply for an extension. Authorities strictly enforce immigration laws and regulations.

Since regulations can change, contact the Korea Immigration Service if you have questions related to visas.

Useful links

• Korea Electronic Travel Authority (K-ETA) – Korea Immigration Service
• More information about visas – Korea Immigration Service

E-arrival cards

All travellers to Korea are required to submit an entry declaration form.

This may be done either:

• online, up to 3 days prior to your arrival
• on paper upon your arrival

Online scams related to the e‑Arrival card are occurring. This service is free of charge. Do not use any website that charges fees for arrival cards.

e-Arrival card website – Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea

Biometrics

Foreigners must register their biometrics (fingerprints and facial scan) at their port of entry. Children younger than 17 years and diplomats are exempt from this screening.

Screening measures

When you arrive from a country designated as a "Quarantine Inspection Required Area," you are subject to symptom-based health screening measures. The Korea Immigration Service will assess your body temperature upon arrival. If you exhibit symptoms associated with infectious diseases, you must submit a health questionnaire in either electronic (Q-CODE) or paper format. Korean authorities may test you for other infectious diseases such as cholera and Zika virus. If you show flu-like symptoms or test positive for an infectious disease, authorities may quarantine you for medical observation.

You can register for a Q-CODE up to 7 days before arrival.

Q-CODE – Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).