Entry Rules - Documents, fAQs, Timelines as of July 25, 2022

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Jul 26, 2022, 8:34 pm

mikesaidyes

Original Poster

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea

Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club

Posts: 2,352

Entry Rules - Documents, fAQs, Timelines as of July 25, 2022

The Singapore embassy has the most up to date info, better than the American consulates.https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/sg-en/br...=761395&page=1

**The Singapore Embassy link has documents with Testing FAQ, how to use K-ETA and Q-CODE. Look at it and download the PDFs.**

K-ETA for visa free entry: http://www.k-eta.go.kr Follow the directions exactly - bureaucracy loves rules. Do as they say and don't take any shortcuts with pictures, etc.
One calendar day before your flight - antigen test / Two calendar days: PCR Test PRINTED RESULTS and upload to Q-CODE. https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/
Q-CODE Passenger Locator Form https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/ .
1. YOU MUST NOW UPLOAD ARRIVAL TEST RESULTS TO Q-CODE, TOO.
2. You cannot create the initial Q-CODE until you have your pre-departure flight results. Q-CODE no longer asks for vaccine proof, it is irrelevant for all travelers.
Arrival testing is done most easily at the airport testing center. http://www.safe2gopass.com to book your appointment. Cost is 80,000W. It is MUCH cheaper than the in town designated facilities (around 130,000W).
1. ARRIVAL TEST MUST BE DONE THE DAY YOU ARRIVE OR THE DAY AFTER.
2. You are RECOMMENDED to stay at your accommodation until the results come, not required. No one is monitoring you.
3. The testing center is in the public area of the airport. You are free to move around and come and go. You do not have to wait there.
4. YOU ARE ONLY STUCK AT THE AIRPORT IF YOU SAY YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OR A FEVER. They will test you before immigration and you will wait in a special area until you receive those results.
YOU MUST NOW UPLOAD ARRIVAL TEST RESULTS TO Q-CODE, TOO.
Test positive? The official rules state that you must go to a facility for seven nights at your expense as a tourist. Be prepared for that mentally.
1. If you recently recovered from COVID, bring a recovery notice. The health office for your accommodations address (each district has their own) is in charge of your quarantine. Some will accept recovery proof and let you skip quarantine. Some will let you quarantine at your hotel. Some will send you off. No guarantees. Varies by district.
If you're doing a layover of less than one day, in reality, you would not need a test because you're leaving before the time expires. However, some people have reported issues about this. No clear stories or details, just vague chatter on Trip Advisor, etc. Prepare to take the arrival test to be safe.
KOREA DOES NOT REQUIRE DEPARTURE TESTING. The departure testing requirements are set by the country you are going to, NOT Korea.
You are not required to have a local number. They don't check and call the cell phone like they used to. You can write your hotel's number or AirBnB, friend, whatever. However, it is advised to get your own number JUST IN CASE of any issues with testing, if you have to quarantine etc. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of someone else delivering these messages to you. You can book a SIM card directly from the mobile operator, KT, http://roaming.kt.com
Masks are required on public transit and inside all buildings. Optional outside, but most people still wear them.
No entry log, vaccine pass, nothing to enter when you go in anywhere. No curfews or gathering size restrictions.

kevincrumbs, airsniper and joesk like this.

Jul 27, 2022, 12:26 pm

BMWBig6

Join Date: Jan 2010

Posts: 74

Thank you. Are these requirements more or less strict than before?

Jul 27, 2022, 4:52 pm

BuildingMyBento

formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks

Join Date: Jun 2004

Posts: 6,412

I thought they required an antigen test on day 6 or 7, too. Unfortunately, the countries that set out these middling rules are awful at clarifying them (as is evidenced by Korean consulates in the U.S. and Singapore promulgating different information).
And just to transfer at a Korean airport, one needs a test, right?

Pfft.

Appreciate your help,
BmB

Jul 28, 2022, 3:22 am

mikesaidyes

Original Poster

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea

Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club

Posts: 2,352

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuildingMyBento

The test on Day 6-7 is an antigen home test that is "recommended" and/or "Required," BUT you don't actually do it in front of anyone, you don't actually report the results unless you're positive...and you're supposed to then go to a health center and show them the results and they'll do a PCR and put you in the system for quarantine if positive.

To transfer at an airport, no test if you are staying airside. Meaning, no immigration, no getting bags, no checking in at main ticket counter. No entering Korea. If you enter Korea, for any reason, you need all those tests and docs.

Jul 28, 2022, 3:23 am

mikesaidyes

Original Poster

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea

Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club

Posts: 2,352

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWBig6

Thank you. Are these requirements more or less strict than before?

Generally, they're the same they have been for a long time in some form. Just now you are lucky to not have to quarantine. Before, all tourists had to do it and it was MESSY for a long time.

Jul 29, 2022, 6:30 am

flying chef

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: YYZ

Programs: HHonors Silver, AC Altitude 35K, AAdvantage, SkyMiles, Bonvoy Silver and a few more

Posts: 565

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesaidyes

K-ETA for visa free entry: http://www.k-eta.go.kr Follow the directions exactly - bureaucracy loves rules. Do as they say and don't take any shortcuts with pictures, etc.
One calendar day before your flight - antigen test / Two calendar days: PCR Test PRINTED RESULTS and upload to Q-CODE. https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/
Q-CODE Passenger Locator Form https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/ .
1. YOU MUST NOW UPLOAD ARRIVAL TEST RESULTS TO Q-CODE, TOO.
2. You cannot create the initial Q-CODE until you have your pre-departure flight results. Q-CODE no longer asks for vaccine proof, it is irrelevant for all travelers.
Arrival testing is done most easily at the airport testing center. http://www.safe2gopass.com to book your appointment. Cost is 80,000W. It is MUCH cheaper than the in town designated facilities (around 130,000W).
1. ARRIVAL TEST MUST BE DONE THE DAY YOU ARRIVE OR THE DAY AFTER.
2. You are RECOMMENDED to stay at your accommodation until the results come, not required. No one is monitoring you.
3. The testing center is in the public area of the airport. You are free to move around and come and go. You do not have to wait there.
4. YOU ARE ONLY STUCK AT THE AIRPORT IF YOU SAY YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OR A FEVER. They will test you before immigration and you will wait in a special area until you receive those results.
YOU MUST NOW UPLOAD ARRIVAL TEST RESULTS TO Q-CODE, TOO.
Test positive? The official rules state that you must go to a facility for seven nights at your expense as a tourist. Be prepared for that mentally.
1. If you recently recovered from COVID, bring a recovery notice. The health office for your accommodations address (each district has their own) is in charge of your quarantine. Some will accept recovery proof and let you skip quarantine. Some will let you quarantine at your hotel. Some will send you off. No guarantees. Varies by district.
If you're doing a layover of less than one day, in reality, you would not need a test because you're leaving before the time expires. However, some people have reported issues about this. No clear stories or details, just vague chatter on Trip Advisor, etc. Prepare to take the arrival test to be safe.
KOREA DOES NOT REQUIRE DEPARTURE TESTING. The departure testing requirements are set by the country you are going to, NOT Korea.
You are not required to have a local number. They don't check and call the cell phone like they used to. You can write your hotel's number or AirBnB, friend, whatever. However, it is advised to get your own number JUST IN CASE of any issues with testing, if you have to quarantine etc. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of someone else delivering these messages to you. You can book a SIM card directly from the mobile operator, KT, http://roaming.kt.com
Masks are required on public transit and inside all buildings. Optional outside, but most people still wear them.
No entry log, vaccine pass, nothing to enter when you go in anywhere. No curfews or gathering size restrictions.

Just to confirm...if I'm connecting in Seoul ( 3 hours layover) for a flight to Manilla, no need for testing as I will be in transit.