Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland

Visa Free Entry for Transfer Passengers

1.  Visa Free Entry for Third Country Transit Passengers (Resume April 30, 2023)

  □ Eligibility (excluding nationals of 23 countries* that are not granted visa free entry to Jeju - check box below)

     ◦ Nationals of countries that need a visa to enter Korea, and meets either ① or ② of the below 

       ① hold a visa (including permanent residency, re-entry permit) to enter either the U. S. (including Guam and Saipan), Canada, Australia, or New Zealand and △ transit through Korea to enter one of the abovementioned 4 countries or △ has stayed in and departed from one of the abovementioned 4 countries and transit through Korea bound for the country of origin or a third country 

       ② hold a visa (including permanent residency) to enter at least one of the 32 European countries and △ transit through Korea to enter one of the 32 European countries, or, △ departed from one of the 32 European countries and transit through Korea bound for the country of origin or a third country

     ** Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Rumania, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Estonia, United Kingdom, Austria, Italy, Czech, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary 

 □ Conditions for Visa Free Entry 

    ◦ Hold a confirmed onward flight ticket for departure within 30 days after entering Korea, in addition to having no record of criminal offense such as illegal stay in the countries mentioned above 

    ◦ Has not been denied entry into Korea in the past 3 years preceding the date of entry

    ◦ Has not been fined more than 5 million KRW or received an exit or deportation order for violation of law such as illegal stay

    ◦ Stayed no longer than 3 days in the country of transit or stopover before entering Korea

       ※ Excluding cases of returning to the previous departure point (country of transit or stopover) 

    ◦ Details for visa confirmation 

      - (U. S, Canada, New Zealand, 32 European countries) Accepted only when the visa sticker is affixed to the passport and is able to confirm validity. (IRP Card is accepted for Irish residents)

      - (Australia) Accepted only when the validity of visa can be confirmed via the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system of the Australian government (VEVO, online.immi.gov.au)

  □ Visa Status and Period of Stay : Tourist/Transit (B-2), 30 days

2. Visa Free Entry for General Transfer Passengers at Incheon Airport (Resume May 15, 2023)

 □ Eligibility (excluding nationals of 23 countries that are not granted visa free entry to Jeju)

    ◦ Foreigners, besides those eligible for visa free entry for third country transit passengers, who are transferring at Incheon Airport bound for the country of origin or a third country and participating in the Transit Tourism Program*

        * Tour program operated by the airport for foreigners, approved by relevant organizations including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Incheon Airport Corporation and Korea Airports Corporation

  □ Conditions for Visa Free Entry    

    ◦ Hold a flight ticket for transfer departing within 72 hours after entry, stays in the metropolitan area, and agree to the operation of transit tour guides*

        * Person who performs the duty related to general transfer passengers of Incheon Airport, Jeju transfer group tourists, Chinese group tourists with Japanese group visa, and is a member of a transit tour guide operation organization  

    ◦ Considering the travel itinerary, those who are deemed a risk of non-compliance to the Transit Tourism Program may be denied entry

  □ Visa Status and Period of Stay: Tourist/Transit (B-2), within 3 days

3. Visa Free Entry for Jeju Transfer Group Tourists (Resume May 15, 2023)

□ Eligibility 

    ◦ Chinese group tourists (consisted of more than 3 persons) intending to travel to Jeju, who are departing from China (including Hong Kong, Macau) and entering at Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, Cheongju, Muan, Daegu, or Yangyang Airport and staying in the possible travel region for up to 5 days

Airport of Entry

       ※ Possible Airports for Departure : △ Incheon․Gimpo airport entrants may depart from Incheon․Gimpo․Jeju․Yangyang airport, △Gimhae․Yangyang․Cheongju․Muan․Daegu airport entrants may depart from the same airport of entry or Incheon․Gimpo․Jeju airport

  □ Conditions for Visa Free Entry   

    ◦ Participate in a tour organized by a travel agency dedicated to recruit Chinese group tourists designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and a Chinese travel agency designated by the Korean diplomatic mission in China (agency for group visa application) 

        ※ Administrative sanctions may be imposed on the travel agencies according to occurrence of escapes from the group   

    ◦ Hold a confirmed domestic flight or ferry ticket bound for Jeju which departs within 5 days, and agree to the operation of transit tour guides

        ※ In case of taking a passenger ship to Jeju, visa free entry is only allowed when there is a passenger ship that departs from a port located within the possible travel region

  □ Visa Status and Period of Stay: Tourist/Transit (B-2), 15 days

        ※ Submission of arrival card not required

4. Chinese Group Tourists with Japanese Group Visa (Resume May 15, 2023)

 □ Eligibility 

    ◦ Chinese group tourists (consisted of 3 or more persons) holding a Japanese Group Visa who departed from China, transferring through Korea bound for Japan, or who departed from Japan, transferring through Korea and bound for China or a third country 

  □ Conditions for Visa Free Entry   

    ◦ Participate in a tour organized by a travel agency dedicated to recruit Chinese group tourists designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and a Chinese travel agency designated by the Korean diplomatic mission in China (agency for group visa application)  

        ※ Administrative sanctions may be imposed on the travel agencies according to occurrence of escapes from the group 

    ◦ Agree to the operation of transit tour guides 

    ◦ Airport of entry should be other than Jeju Airport (Incheon ․ Gimpo ․ Gimhae ․ Daegu ․ Cheongju ․ Yangyang ․ Muan)

  □ Visa Status and Period of Stay: Tourist/Transit (B-2), 15 days

        ※ Submission of arrival card not required

5. Visa Free Entry for Chinese Students’Field Trips (Resume April 30, 2023)

 □ Eligibility 

    ◦ Group of more than 3 persons (including the group leader*) consisted of elementary, middle, or high school students

        * Teacher, person relevant to the field trip organizing group, or staff of the designated travel agency for the field trip 

  □ Conditions for Visa Free Entry   

    ◦ Confirmation from the consular of a Korean diplomatic mission required (application should be made by the teacher, field trip organizing group, or staff of the designated travel agency) 

  □ Visa Status and Period of Stay: Tourist/Transit (B-2), 30 days

        ※ Submission of arrival card not required

For further inquiry, please call Incheon airport office +82-32-740-7215