News and Events

No more quarantine: Entry into South Korea made easier
by TheWorknPlay
News and Current Hot Issue (1/2)
No more quarantine: Entry into South Korea made easier

Covid and Quarantine updates. As we adapt to the phase of living with covid, entry into South Korea has been made easier. Fully vaccinated entrees to Korea will be exempt from mandatory quarantine.    From March 21st, 2022, people vaccinated in Korea and have vaccination records registered in Korea via a public health center are exempted from the mandatory quarantine.  Registration records are available in the COOV online system.   From April 1st, 2022, people vaccinated abroad or in Korea with or without registered vaccinated records in Korea will be exempt from quarantine. Vaccination records will be linked to the new Q-CODE online system.   How to register Input vaccination records into the Q-CODE system prior to departure. A QR code will be issued through the Q-CODE website. Scan the QR code upon entry to South Korea. Only those vaccinated with a minimum of 3 shots with the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization qualify for the exemption.  PS: This includes the single Jansen shot administered 14 days before departure and within 180days. All entrees are still subjected to a PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure. A second PCR test upon arrival. And a final PCR test on the 7th day after arrival.  

Published Mar 23, 2022
The 20th Presidential Election
by Lynzie
News and Current Hot Issues (1/1)
The 20th Presidential Election

  The 20th Presidential Election   Am sure everybody has seen people walking around the streets carrying the following candidates picture boards.! Yep! Its election day coming up soon!  One of the candidates will be the next president of the ROK! Now I know foreigners cannot vote for a president or get involved in politics but at least we get a day off out of this! Also, I wanted to introduce you to the possible next president. The election is going down on Tuesday the 9th of March and it is an official public holiday.              Pictures courtesy of Central Election Commission        

Published Feb 28, 2022
Entry restrictions for South Africans lifted.
by Jane
Covid and Quarantine updates (2/2)
Entry restrictions for South Africans lifted.

As of February 4th, the Korean government lifted all the entry restrictions for some countries, including South Africa. South African Nationals entering Korea with a long-term visa, will undergo the following process.   Submit a PCR test: Tested 48 hours before traveling. Domestic test: PCR Testing upon arrival. Quarantine: If you have accommodations, then you can quarantine in your residence for 7 days.   However, people traveling on a short-term visa will have to quarantine in a government facility at their own cost. Once you are in Korea, some of the main domestic measures are as follows, regardless of the vaccination status:   1. Compulsory facemask in indoor and outdoor public areas 2. Gatherings are limited to 6 people max. 3. Most facilities operate until 9:00 pm, including restaurants. 4. Any event has a limit of 50 people.  

Published Feb 8, 2022
Extension of the entry restrictions for South Africa.
by Jane
Covid and Quarantine updates (1/2)
Extension of the entry restrictions for South Africa.

Extension of the entry restrictions for South Africa. Due to the high cases of the Omicron variant, the Korean government has extended the entry restrictions for South Africans and 11 other countries. The restriction which was to be lifted January 6th has now been extended to February 3rd. After February 3rd long-term foreigners will have to undergo the following process. Submit a PCR test: Tested within 3 days of traveling. Domestic test: PCR Testing at a temporary living facility upon arrival Quarantine: A compulsory 10-day quarantine at the quarantine facility. There will be another PCR test on the 5th day of quarantine and before release from quarantine. (A total of 4 tests for the whole process)   Visa application update: The visa issuance number application process has not been affected by these changes. However, depending on the corona situation in South Africa, offline visa applications might be affected. Online application is recommended. Note: Even with a completed visa application, please check the entry restriction dates to avoid any inconveniences.

Published Jan 4, 2022