EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO SEOUL

Before you skedaddle off to South Korea, there are a few things you’ll need to know and do, both prior to your flight and upon arrival.

1. Flights from Singapore to Seoul

Upon the launch of the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) from 15th November 2021, travelling to and fro both countries will be possible sans quarantine measures. To this effect, Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be operating 6 weekly flights between Singapore and Seoul.

From 16th November 2021, SQ600 and SQ608 will carry eligible passengers from Singapore to Seoul via the VTL (subject to passengers meeting eligibility criteria and health measures). For the complete flight schedule, see here.

2. Travel History

Passengers looking to fly to Seoul must not have any travel history for the past 14 days outside of Singapore itself.

3. Vaccination Status

One must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with any vaccine listed in the World Health Organisation Emergency Use List, with the final dose of the vaccine having been administered at least 14 days prior to arrival in South Korea.

In addition, you must provide a vaccination certificate in English issued by Singapore as proof of your vaccination status. All vaccination certificates must also be digitally certifiable, with valid QR codes for verification. You can get your digital vaccination certificates on HealthCerts; and get them digitally authenticated and endorsed via Notarise. Note: your existing vaccination status on Trace Together will not suffice as proof of vaccination for travel.

4. Insurance Coverage

Short-term visitors to South Korea need to purchase mandatory travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30 million KRW (~S$34,000) for Covid-19 related medical expenses and hospitalisation fees. They will also be required to have a physical copy of their insurance policy on hand for the entire duration of their trip.

5. Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA)

Singaporeans don’t need a visa to enter South Korea, but they will be required to apply for a K-ETA approval in order to obtain a boarding pass to enter South Korea. With the K-ETA, Singaporeans can stay in South Korea for up to 3 months for leisure, family or business purposes. This K-ETA is valid for multiple trips over a period of 2 years, and application fee costs 10,000 KRW (~S$11)/person.

Apply for the K-ETA online at least 48 hours before departure here. For more information on the K-ETA for Singaporeans, see here.

6. Pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Tests

Travellers to South Korea are required to take a pre-departure Covid-19 PCR test within 72 hours before their scheduled flight departure time and obtain a negative test result. Book a test at Changi Airport here.

Prior to the flight departure from Singapore, you will also be required to book an on-arrival Covid-19 PCR test at Incheon International Airport. Book a test at Incheon International Airport here.

7. Self-Check Mobile App

After taking your on-arrival PCR test at Incheon International Airport, you must install the ‘Self-Check Mobile App’ and use the app to key in your daily health status for the next 14 days from the day of arrival (with the arrival day being Day 0).

8. Upon Arrival in Seoul

Once you’ve landed in Seoul, you are not permitted to take any mode of public transportation to begin travelling freely around Seoul. You must leave the airport via private transportation such as taxis, and go directly to your residence or accommodation and self-isolate until your on-arrival PCR test results are out.

If your test result comes out negative, then you are allowed to travel freely around Seoul and use public transportation like buses and trains.

9. Post-Arrival Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test

If you’re planning to stay in Seoul for more than 8 days, you must undergo one post-arrival Covid-19 PCR test at your own expense at a designated medical clinic. For a list of clinics in South Korea where you can take the PCR test, see here. This is to be done on Day 6 or 7 of the trip, bearing in mind that the arrival day counts as Day 0.

Post-arrival in South Korea, you’ll have to take a total of 3 PCR tests: