Easing of Entry Restrictions from Korea, Entry Bans Reduced to 75 Countries... Air Routes to Vietnam and Russia Also Opened

Gradual Easing of Entry Restrictions from Korea... 'Enhanced Quarantine and Advisory Measures' Eased for 82 Countries
Government in Final Talks to Ease Entry Rules for Japanese Businesspeople... Expected Implementation in October

On the 22nd, businesspeople and expatriate families heading to Vietnam are checking in at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The air routes between Vietnam and Russia, which had been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are reopening, and entry restrictions for travelers from Korea are steadily being eased. The Korean government is also in final negotiations with the Japanese government, which suspended visa-free entry since March, aiming for prompt implementation to relax entry restrictions for businesspeople.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 26th, the number of countries imposing entry bans on travelers from Korea (as of 10 a.m. on the 25th) has sharply decreased to 75, less than half of the 153 countries recorded in May. The number of countries enforcing entry bans had exceeded 80 for a while as COVID-19 cases in Korea rose again, but after the Korean government strengthened quarantine measures and the increase in cases slowed, the number dropped below 80 for the first time. Six countries, including the United States and Mauritania, continue to enforce facility quarantine measures.

On the other hand, 82 countries have implemented the most relaxed entry restrictions such as enhanced quarantine and advisory measures. This is the result of countries that had imposed entry bans lowering their entry restrictions one after another. Twenty-five countries have lifted entry-related restrictions on travelers from Korea, including Greece, Turkey, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Finland, and Belgium.

Results of government-to-government negotiations conducted in cooperation with local diplomatic missions are also emerging. Following China in May, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, and Singapore introduced a “fast-track” system simplifying entry procedures for businesspeople. Russia, which had imposed strict entry restrictions, will resume regular flights with Korea from the 27th, allowing Koreans to enter Russia. Entry is permitted upon submission of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within three days prior to arrival in Russia.

After Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a Korea-Vietnam foreign ministers’ meeting on the 18th, requesting the introduction of a fast-track system for businesspeople and the resumption of flights, the air route to Vietnam was reopened. The Korean and Vietnamese governments reached a final agreement on the 24th after continuous consultations to restore air routes. From the 25th, passenger flights will operate twice weekly on the Incheon-Hanoi and Incheon-Ho Chi Minh routes. The government plans to continue detailed discussions to introduce the fast-track system with Vietnam.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, “Considering the visa requirements, PCR test results issued within three days, and accommodation confirmation requested by the Vietnamese government, full-scale passenger transport is expected to be possible from early October.”

The government is also accelerating consultations with Japan. It is expected that new visas for short-term stays for businesspeople and expatriates will be issued in October. Japan suspended visa-free entry for Koreans in March to prevent reverse inflow of COVID-19. A diplomatic source said, “Detailed consultations remain, but an agreement is expected to be announced soon.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Geon plans to visit Singapore and Indonesia, which have introduced the fast-track system with Korea, from the 24th to the 29th to check progress and effectiveness. In Indonesia, about 1,500 Korean businesspeople have entered using the fast-track system during the first month of its implementation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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