Everything You Need to Know About the Resumption of Visa-Free Entry in Korea

PSA: Visa-Free Entry for Transit Passengers in Korea Resumes

Transit passengers may be allowed to stay for up to 30 days.
by Ina Louise Manto | May 16, 2023

After its suspension in February 2020 due to the pandemic, South Korea’s visa-free entry for transit passengers finally resumes on April 30, 2023. If you’re finally revenge traveling this 2023 and want to make the most out of your much-awaited international travel, you might want to consider a side trip to Seoul. Here’s everything you need to know about the resumption of visa-free entry in Korea for foreign transit passengers:

Visa-free stay in Korea for up to 30 days

From April 30, 2023, you can stay in Korea for a maximum of 30 days visa-free if you’re transmitting to/from:

Australia
Canada
USA
New Zealand
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The United Kingdom

This is provided that the passenger:

Holds an onward flight to any of these countries
Has no illegal stay records of any kind and has never been denied entry into Korea
Has not exceeded a maximum three-day stay in any other transit airport other than Incheon International Airport

Visa-free stay in Korea for 3 days for transit passengers via Incheon International Airport

From May 15, 2023, transit passengers traveling to/from any country via Incheon International Airport may be allowed a visa-free stay for up to 3 days in Korea provided that the passenger:

Holds an onward flight to a third home/country
Must participate in a transit tour program by a designated travel agency
Stay within Seoul Metropolitan Area only
The transit tour program must meet the minimum transfer time of two hours to be allowed entry

What is a Transit Tour Program?

A Transit Tour Program in Korea is a tour program recognized by the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; the Incheon Airport Corporation; and the Korea Airports Association.

It’s a FREE tour that ranges from experiences, entertainment, tradition, themes, and shopping. These tours are available in 1-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, 4-hour, and 5-hour courses with an English-speaking tour guide.

Note: Tourist site admissions fees and meals are paid individually by travelers.