Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver

Resumption of Tourists in Transit (B-2) from 23.4.30

ㅇ The Korean Government resumption of the Tourist in Transit(B2) from Apr. 30th. 2023.
  - For Non-Canada. citizens (e.g. China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Philippines, India, etc), Tourists in transit to another country via Korea, can visit Korea without a visa for up to 30 days.

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ㅇ This program is ONLY applicable if a foreigner goes from the country of origin to the country of origin or to the country of final destination via the Republic of Korea.

  - If you visit only Korea from the country of departure and return to the country of departure, you must get a visa.

​ㅇ Immigration Type and Duration of Stay
  - B2, Max 30 days.

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ㅇ Countries that are not eligible for this program
  - The Nationalities of these countries must require a visa before entering Korea even having a Canada permanent residency or visa.
     *Syria, Sudan, Iran, Cuba, Kosovo, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Ghana, Yemen, Gambia, Senegal, Bangladesh, Kirzik, Pakistan, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Egypt

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ㅇ Eligibility
   1) A person who holds a valid visa  (including permanent residency) of the United States (including Guam and Saipan), Canada, New Zealand, and Australia

   2) A Person who holds a valid visa (including permanent residency) of the 32 European countries*
       *Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Estonia, England, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary
   ※ The visa of the above country is recognized only when it is attached in the form of a sticker on the passport
      - However, in Australia, if the validity is confirmed in the Australian immigration authority visa information verification system, it is recognized even if it is not a sticker type.

   3) A person who holds a flight ticket reserved for departure flights within a 30-day period and has no illegal facts, such as an unlawful stay in the relevant country

   4) A person who has never been denied entry to the Republic of Korea within three years of the date of entry

   5) A person who has not received a fine of at least KRW 5 million or deportation due to illegal stay, other criminal matters, etc

   6) A person who stays in a third transfer country other than the Republic of Korea within three days
      *Except for returning to the origin (third country transfer station) via Korea

ㅇ Example of the possible cases (Based on the Canada)
  *Non-Canada citizens like China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, etc. who hold a Canada permanent residency or visa

   1) Departing from the Canada (A) going to the Home country (C) or the third country (D) via Korea (B), or vice versa.
      e.g.   Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]
               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Possible]
               Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) / [Possible]
               Third country (D) →  Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Possible]

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   2) Departing from the Canada (A) going to the Home country (C) via Korea (B) and the third country (D), or vice versa.

     *You must stay within 3 days in a country that transits before entering Korea, and if you stay more than that, you cannot enter Korea.

      e.g.   Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]

               Home Country (C) → Third country (D, stay within 3 days) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Possible]

               Canada (A) → Third country (D, stay within 3 days) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) → Canada (A) / [Possible]

               Canada (A) → Home Country (C, stay within 3 days) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Possible]

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ㅇ Example of the impossible cases (Based on the Canada)
  *Non-Canada citizens like China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, etc. who hold a Canada permanent residency or visa

   1) Departing from the Canada (A) passing through Korea (B), returning to the Canada (A), and then returning to the Home country (C) or a third country (D), or vice versa.
      e.g.   Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) → Home Country (C) / [Impossible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) → Canada (A) / [Impossible]

               Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) → Third Country (D) / [Impossible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) → Third Country (D) / [Impossible]

               Canada (A) → Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Impossible]

   2) Not possible if you stay for more than 3 days in a country that transit before entering Korea

      e.g.   Europe (E) → Third country (D, stay more than 3 days) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Impossible]

              Europe (E) → Third country (D, stay more than 3 days) → Korea (B) → Third country (D) / [Impossible]

              Canada (A) → Home Country (C, stay for more than 3 days) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Impossible]

ㅇ If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Korean Immigration Office. (+82-2-2100-1345)

ㅇTransit passengers using the (Seoul) Incheon Airport will need to present a ticket/boarding pass confirming their onward travel to their final destination.
* Please refer to this website for the Transit process at the Incheon Airport.
   https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/trn/intro/intro.do

* If you have any concerns regarding the baggage claim during transit, need to ask your airline or the Incheon airport.