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Suspension of Short Term Visas, Visa Exemptions and Visa-Free Entry to Korea due to Covid-19
- DATE
- 2020-04-10
Suspension of Short Term Visas, Visa Exemptions and Visa-Free Entry to Korea due to Covid-19
The Korean government has suspended visa exemptions and visa-free entry for foreign nationals of 90 countries due to Covid-19.
All measures come into force at midnight local time on 13 April 2020.
This does not apply to British nationals.
The full list of 90 countries can be found at the end of this notice.
Visa-free travel
● Individuals from these countries who were previously eligible for visa-free travel
to Korea are now required to apply for a visa before travel.
● Individuals with a diplomatic or official passport, aircrew, crew members of ships,
and people holding an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) are exempt from these new measures.
● Travellers from affected countries who attempt to travel
without a visa will not be issued with a boarding pass, or if already issued,
will be prevented from boarding by the airline or ferry company.
If they do manage to travel to Korea, they will be denied entry by immigration services.
Short term visas
● All short-term visas issued to individuals before 5 April 2020 are no longer valid.
● If you have a short-term visa issued before 5 April and re-apply for a new short-term visa
before your original visa’s expiry date, the visa fee will be waived.
● Only single entry visas will be issued (double and multiple entry visas are not available).
● If you hold a C-4 visa (short term employment) or a long-term visa,
you do not need to re-apply.
● If you are already in Korea you are allowed to stay for as long as your visa allows.
● Individuals who try and travel to Korea without an updated visa will be barred from travel
or prevented from entering Korea by immigration authorities.
● The Embassy will not issue C-3 visas (short-term visa for tourism or business)
without a valid urgent purpose of travel.
● Applications for transit visas will be denied if there is a viable direct flight
that does not require a stop-over in Korea.
● All visa applicants must submit a Health Condition Report Form
(available here http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/gb-en/wpge/m_8346/contents.do),
and a medical certificate issued by their doctor confirming the applicant is free from the symptoms
of Covid-19 within 48 hours of submitting their visa application.
● Individuals displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 will be denied a visa to travel to Korea.
● All applications will take a minimum of 14 days to process and will require a medical interview
(either in person or over the phone).
● Visas can be issued within 14 days in exceptional circumstances at the Ambassador’s discretion for
: diplomatic or official visits, investment purposes, technological exchange, family members of Koreans,
urgent or humanitarian visits.
Short-term travelers (foreign nationals)
entering Korea are subject to quarantine at a facility for 14 days.
● All visa applicants must agree to the terms and conditions of a 14 day quarantine period.
● Individuals holding an Isolation Exception Certificate,
family members of Koreans (spouse or children under 18), or foreign nationals
who hold a long-term visa and a place of residence in Korea, can self-isolate at their home
rather than the facility.
Family members should submit an official document to prove family relationship at the airport.
※ Please check our Ministry of Justice's website for more information. (http://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/1832/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGYmJzJTJGaW1taWdyYXRpb25fZW5nJTJGMjI5JTJGNTIyNjQ5JTJGYXJ0Y2xWaWV3LmRvJTNG )
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization
- Address : 60 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ
- Tel : +44 (0)20 7227 5500 | Hours of Operation : 9:00-12:00 / 14:00-16:00 |
Visa Service : 10:00-12:00(face to face office hours), 14:00-16:00(telephone consultation only)