The latest South Korea travel requirements to enjoy quarantine-free travel!
[Update 30 March 2023]: Singaporeans no longer need to apply for K-ETA when entering South Korea. The Korea Embassy announced "In celebration of ‘Visit Korea Year (2023~2024)’, K-ETA will be temporarily exempted for 22 countries/regions from 01 April 2023 to 31 December 2024 (KST)."
Singapore is one of the countries in the exempted list, you can find the full list here.
[Update 30 Sep 2022]: Travellers entering South Korea from 1 October 2022 no longer need to go through an on-arrival PCR test. This means that travellers no longer need to do any form of Covid-19 test before departing and after arriving in Korea.
South Korea Travel Essentials 🇰🇷
Planning a holiday to South Korea? Here's our checklist of travel essentials for a smooth and hassle-free trip!
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Pre-Departure Planning
Here's a checklist of all the important documents you’ll need for your trip:
- Passport with at least 6 months of validity
- K-ETA (To apply at least 1 month before your flight departure)
- Q-Code (To apply no more than 3 days before arrival in South Korea*) *You will not be able to proceed on Q-code website if you apply more than 3 days before arrival
- Travel Insurance (Not a requirement for entry into South Korea but highly recommended to have on hand)
- Complete your SG e-arrival card 3 days before arrival in Singapore
#KlookTip: While vaccination is NOT a requirement to enter South Korea, some immigration officers may still ask for it. It would be good to keep a soft/hard copy of your vaccination cert with you!
1. South Korea Testing Requirements
Vaccination is no longer a requirement and you would not need to undergo a pre-departure or on-arrival PCR test to enter South Korea.
2. Apply for a K-ETA
This is the electronic travel visa that you would have to apply for to visit South Korea. It will cost you 10,000krw (~$10sgd) and you can apply for it here. Do note that you would need to apply for your K-ETA at least 1 month before your departure to South Korea.
3. Register for Q-Code
Photo Credit: Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore
You would need to register for a Q-Code no more than 3 days* before arriving in South Korea (This applies to travellers of all ages).
- (*You will not be able to register if you apply more than 3 days before your arrival date).
- Uploading of vaccination certificate on Q-code website is not required.
- A QR code will be issued to your email after registration. (Refer to Q-Code User Manual for details)
- If you have questions on Q-Code or assistance with any technical difficulties, please contact Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) at +82-2-2633-1339
4. Get your SIM card
Now, this is one travel essential that we’ll definitely need no matter the situation. I would recommend getting an e-SIM, which can be activated via scanning a QR code sent to you through email!
Of course you can also opt to get your SIM card at the airport or have it delivered to you in Singapore.
Carrier | Pick Up | Data & Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited for up to 30 days (option to add domestic call and text) |
5. Pre-book your transport to your accommodation
For a truly fuss-free experience, I would recommend pre-booking a private hire car to get you straight from the airport to your accommodation.
Or if you're looking for a speedy way from Incheon Airport to Seoul, you can take the AREX Incheon Express Train that goes nonstop between Incheon International Airport and Seoul Station. You'll get from the airport to downtown Seoul in 43 minutes!
Planning to visit Jeju Island? Or perhaps you're going on a Netflix-inspired road trip throughout South Korea? Then renting a car is the way to go!
6. Book a non-stop flight from Singapore to South Korea
With all your pre-trip preparations now complete, all you need to do now is to book your flight to South Korea and you're good to go!
7. Upon arrival at Incheon Airport
The final step before your long-awaited getaway in South Korea! Once again, check out our Instagram story highlight for an on-the-ground run-through of the steps that you need to take before leaving the Airport.
Documents to prepare on hand here:
- Passport
- Health questionnaire (YELLOW paper)
- Travel record declaration (WHITE paper)
- Q-Code
- K-ETA (not needed for travel before Dec 2024)
#KlookTip: Have the hard copy of your important documents on hand with you at all times to make things smoother.
8. Pre-departure from South Korea
Complete the SG Arrival Card up to 72 hours before departure for Singapore. Under the current Vaccinated Travel Framework, testing for fully-vaccinated travellers is no longer required to return to Singapore.
Korea VTL FAQs
1. What if I am travelling to other parts of South Korea instead of Seoul? Do I still need to do an on-arrival PCR?
You no longer need to do a on-arrival PCR when entering Korea from 1 October 2022.
2. Can I pick up the SIM card from the airport after I land at Incheon Airport?
Yes, you can collect your SIM card at the arrival hall!
3. How do I get to my accommodation from the airport?
You will be able to take any mode of transport (Private hire/Public) to your accommodation or the AREX train to downtown Seoul.
4. Do I still need to wear a mask when in South Korea?
You would not need to wear a mask in most indoor spaces, except on public transport* and in medical facilities and pharmacies (*public transport includes: all bus services, trains, taxies and flights).
Wearing a mask when outdoors is optional.
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