From 0:00 on the 13th, 'Short-term Visa' Validity Suspended... Visa Exemption and Visa-Free Entry Also Suspended for 90 Countries and Regions

Government "Temporary Measures to Block Foreign-Origin COVID-19 Influx"... Planned 3-Step Screening Process
Mandatory Submission of Medical Institution Issued Diagnosis for All Visa Applicants
Visa Waiver and Visa-Free Entry Suspended for 90 Countries/Regions Based on Reciprocity

On the 8th, a disinfection worker from a quarantine company is performing sterilization at the dedicated arrival inspection counter for symptomatic passengers at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government will strengthen visa issuance and entry restrictions from midnight on the 13th to reduce the entry of foreigners. This measure aims to prevent the re-importation of COVID-19 by suspending the validity of short-term visas and temporarily halting visa waiver agreements and visa-free entry.

On the 9th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice announced that although domestic COVID-19 infection spread is showing a declining trend, global spread is not subsiding, raising public concerns about the inflow of COVID-19 from abroad, prompting these measures. As of the 8th, 66 confirmed cases of foreigners infected overseas have been recorded. As of the 7th, 880 foreigners are quarantined in temporary living facilities, and 16 foreigners have been deported due to refusal of facility quarantine, among other reasons.

The government will first temporarily suspend the validity of short-term visas issued to foreigners staying within 90 days. All single and multiple-entry short-term visas issued for short-term stay purposes up to the 5th will be suspended under this measure. However, visas corresponding to short-term employment (C-4) status, such as highly skilled technicians invited by domestic companies, and visas related to employment and investment are excluded from the suspension.

If an attempt is made to enter with a suspended visa, the 'Immigration Pre-Check System (IPC)' will automatically block the issuance of boarding passes. Additionally, airlines and shipping companies will restrict boarding at the boarding pass issuance stage, and immigration officers will re-verify at the domestic entry inspection stage.

A government official explained, "Foreigners holding short-term or multiple-entry visas whose validity is suspended must reapply for visas at diplomatic missions," adding, "Those holding C-4 visas and long-term visas related to employment and investment can enter with previously issued visas." He further added, "Foreigners already entered with short-term stay visas can stay within the period granted at entry."

If an attempt is made to enter with a suspended visa, boarding pass issuance will be automatically blocked through the 'Immigration Pre-Check System (IPC)', and additionally, airlines and shipping companies will restrict boarding at the boarding pass issuance stage.

Furthermore, based on the principle of reciprocity, visa waivers and visa-free entries will be restricted. This applies to 90 countries and regions that have imposed entry bans on arrivals from Korea. There are 151 countries and regions that have banned entry of Koreans, among which 90 have visa waiver agreements or allow visa-free entry by the Korean government.

Therefore, holders of passports from these 90 countries and regions must obtain a visa from Korean diplomatic missions to enter Korea. However, exceptions apply to holders of diplomatic or official passports, crew members on aircraft entering the country, crew members of incoming ships, and businesspeople holding ABTC (APEC Business Travel Card), who are exempt from visa requirements.

In line with the strengthened visa issuance regulations, visa screening will also be enhanced. Foreigners applying for any visa, including those whose visa validity is suspended, must submit a medical certificate issued by a medical institution.

All visa applicants must undergo testing at a medical institution within 48 hours from the application date and submit a medical certificate detailing the test results. The certificate must include information on the presence or absence of COVID-19 related symptoms such as fever, cough, chills, headache, muscle pain, and pneumonia. Visa issuance will be restricted if abnormal findings are confirmed. Additionally, all diplomatic missions will conduct thorough reviews, including health interviews, after receiving visa applications before deciding on approval.

However, for essential purposes such as diplomatic or official duties, investment, technology provision, urgent or humanitarian reasons, or family members of Korean nationals, visas will be issued promptly at the discretion of the head of the diplomatic mission.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice plan to faithfully implement follow-up measures to ensure these actions are carried out accurately and swiftly. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will promptly notify foreign governments through diplomatic channels and expedite the suspension of visa waiver agreements. The Ministry of Justice will notify domestic airlines and shipping companies operating in Korea through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and local immigration offices.

A government official explained, "Confirmed cases of foreigners infected overseas continue to occur," adding, "The continuous inflow of short-term stay foreigners subject to facility quarantine is causing difficulties in securing quarantine resources, and administrative efforts are being consumed due to foreigners refusing to pay costs or comply with quarantine measures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.