Entry FormalityConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in Montreal and Permanent Mission to ICAO

Customs

A written customs declaration must be submitted to a customs officer upon entry. Passengers must clear customs through either the green, white, or red channels. If a passenger declares non-duty-free articles voluntarily, the declared amount will be accepted and the clearance procedure will be expedited.

Duty-Free Articles

Visitor's (non-residents) goods which will be taken out of Korea upon departure. (The total quantity of the goods should be declared for duty exemption.)
Goods which were declared upon departure from Korea and are being brought back.
Goods totaling US or less which were purchased or acquired outside Korea.
- 1 bottle (not over 1 liter) of alcoholic beverages
- 200 cigarettes (50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco)
- 2 ounces of perfume

For details, please contact the Korea Customs Service

Note: The information contained in this page relates to only the most frequently asked questions, does not explain all of the applicable laws and regulations and is subject to change without notice. Please contact the proper authority for detailed information. Necessary forms upon entry: Health Questionnaire, Arrival/Departure Card, Customs Declaration

Alien Registration

A Korean embassy or consulate can issue two types of visas: a short-term visa for the visitor who wants to stay up to 90 days, or a special long-term visa for periods longer than 90 days. A visitor with a special long-term visa is required to apply for alien registration at a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival.

Immigration Offices
- Seoul (02)2650-6212
- Incheon Airport (032)740-7013, (032)740-7030
- Jeju (064)722-3494/(064)721-3494
- Busan (051)461-3000
For details, please contact the Ministry of Justice of Korea.

Guidelines for Currency Regulation

Passengers entering Korea who are carrying foreign or Korean currency worth over USD 10,000 must declare it to a Customs official. Departing non-residents of Korea who are carrying foreign or Korean currency (including traveler's or bank checks) worth more than USD10,000 must obtain permission from the bank of Korea or Customs(not including any amount carried into Korea and declared on arrival, which may be carried out without declaration to Customs). Residents of Korea must declare any currency or negotiable checks more than USD10,000 upon departure.

Please be aware that violators of these regulations are liable to be fined and/or otherwise penalized under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act.

Re-entry Permit

With the exception of multiple-visas, all visas including long-term visas are for a single visit which are valid for the period of three months from the date of issue. (i.e.. visa holder must enter Korea within 3 months from the date of issue and the visa is good only for a single entry ). Therefore anyone who wishes to leave the country and re-enter later during the allowed period of stay should obtain the Re-entry Permit from the Ministry of Justice prior to departure.

Status of Sojourn

Status of Sojourn is a system which classifies the status of foreign visitors entering Korea according to the range of activities permitted by the Ministry of Justice in Korea. Anyone who needs to change their status of sojourn or plans to engage in activities other than those permitted must get permission from the Ministry of Justice. The Status of Sojourn is indicated at the bottom of the visa as C-4, E-2 (there are 30 different kinds) etc.

Animal Quarantine

Please note that, from December 1st, 2012, the new quarantine requirement regarding import dogs and cats to Republic of Korea will come into effect.

Declare all imported anminals and animal products upon arrival to the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, where they must be inspected. Cloven-hoofed animals and their products that are shipped from import-restricted areas will be sent back or destroyed.

Live Animals

All live animals entering Korea must be accompanied by a valid health certificate with identification number and a rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. To avoid the risk of extended quarantine, it is advised that the pet should be given a rabies shot at least 30 days before arrival.

Dogs and Cats

All dogs and cats entering Korea must be microchip implanted and accompanied by a valid health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. To avoid the risk of extended quarantine, it is advised that the pet should be given a rabies shot at least 30 days before arrival.

Meat Products

Products from overseas will be confiscated and destroyed if not accompanied with a quarantine certificate from the respective government.

Plant Quarantine

Passengers who carry any plants or soil including fruits (mango, orange, papaya, etc.), vegetables, seeds, orchids, nursery stock or cut flowers, etc., must describe the items and immediately declare them upon arrival.

For details, please contact Animal, Plant and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency.

http://www.qia.go.kr/english/html/indexqiaEngNoticeWebAction.do?clear=1

Incheon airport: (032)740-2660~1, (032)740-2680
Gimpo airport: (02)2664-2601
Jeju airport: (064)746-0761

Import restricted items and areas

Fresh fruits, such as mango, orange, papaya, cherry, etc.: all countries
Nursery stock of apples, grapes, etc.: most European countries
Walnut fruit and kernels: most countries
Soil or plants with soil: all countries

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Montreal and Permanent Mission to ICAO

Entry Formality