Before Travelling to Korea (please click here for Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Invalidation of short-term visas issued before 05 April 2020
- Short-term visas issued before 05 April 2020 are invalidated.
- Applicants who have visas issued before 05 April 2020 AND are required to enter Korea due to necessary reasons (excluding tourism) may reapply without cost.
- Does not apply to C-4 visas and long-term visas (i.e period of sojourn more than 90 days) that were issued before 05 April 2020.
2. Temporary suspension of visa waiver agreements and visa-free entry
- To prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in Korea, the visa waiver for Singapore passport holders will be temporarily suspended with effect from 13 April 2020, 0000hrs, till further notice.
- Please refer to attachment for the list of countries that are affected by the suspension of visa waiver/visa free entry.
- The suspension will not apply to holders of diplomatic, official and service passports, flight attendants, seamen and APEC card holders.
3. How to apply for visa and enhanced screening for all visa applications
- Foreigners who need to enter Korea due to urgent and essential reasons (excluding tourism) may apply for visas at our office in person. Interviews will be conducted.
- Processing time is 14 days due to enhanced screening measures. Submission day is considered as day 0 and collection will be on day 15.
- Appointment is required. You may call 6256-1188 during office hours (i.e 9am to 5pm excluding 12.30pm to 2pm) to schedule a slot.
- Visa will be issued in single-entry only. Physical visa labels are no longer issued as of 01 July 2020. Travellers may print out "Visa Grant Notice" to prove visa status. Please click here for more information.
- Failure to provide the required documents according to visa checklist may result in visa rejection.
Visa types
☞ C-3-1 General Visa on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds (click)
☞ C-3-4 Short-Term Business Visa (click)
☞ C-4-5 Short-Term Employment(Working) Visa (click)
☞ D-4-1 Korean Language Training Visa (click)
☞ F-4 Overseas Korean 재외동포 Visa (click)
☞ F-6 Spouse of Korean National Visa (click)
☞ Confirmation of Visa Issuance (click)
For other visa types, please refer to here (click)
4. Application of Quarantine Exemption Certificate
▷ *Temporarily Suspended* ROK-Singapore Fast Lane for Essential Travel (Quarantine Exemption at Arriving Country)
- On 02 September 2020, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Republic of Singapore agreed to implement the Fast Lane which is to ensure exemption from isolation at the arriving country to facilitate essential business and official travel between Korea (via Incheon International Airport only) and Singapore.
☞ Information in English (click)
☞ Information in Korean (click)
▷ Attend the funeral of an immediate family member in Korea
Humanitarian reason (death of an immediate family member in Korea) | [Must] Passport (original and copy) |
[Must] NRIC/Long term pass in Singapore (original and copy) |
[Must] Quarantine Exemption Application (refer to attachment) |
[Must] Death certificate of deceased |
[Must] Family relations certificate |
| [Must] Confirmed flight itinerary |
5. Download app prior to departure to Korea
1. For Korean nationals and foreign nationals who are long term residents in Korea, please download the latest version of 'Self-Quarantine Safety Protection App' (refer to attachment)
2. For short term visitors, A1, A-2, A-3 visa holders and foreigners who received the 'Quarantine Exemption Certificate', please download the latest version of 'Self Diagnosis App' (click)
6. Undergo a COVID-19 PCR test before departure (link)
The negative COVID-19 PCR test result must be issued within 72 hours of departure (if entering Korea via airport) or within 72 hours of boarding the vessel bound for Korea (if entering Korea via seaport).
Enter Korea via airport |
Applicable to |
Effective date |
Exceptions |
All foreigners including A-1 (Diplomatic), A-2 (Official), A-3 (Treaties) visas and Alien Registration Card (ARC) holders* |
08 January 2021 (KST) |
▷Infants and children under the age of 6 (as of entry date) ▷Airline crew (may be subjected to change in the future) |
Korean nationals departing from Brazil, South Africa and United Kingdom |
08 January 2021 (KST) |
▷Infants and children under the age of 6 (as of entry date) ▷Airline crew (may be subjected to change in the future) |
ALL Korean nationals ※Korean nationals who do not submit negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result during entry into Korea will be placed under facility quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. |
24 February 2021 (KST) |
▷Infants and children under the age of 6 (as of entry date) ▷Airline crew (may be subjected to change in the future) ▷Korean nationals with quarantine exemption certificate issued for humanitarian reason (i.e attend funeral) |
Enter Korea via seaport |
Applicable to |
Effective date |
All foreign crewmen |
15 January 2021 (KST) |
All Korean crewmen ※Korean nationals who do not submit negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result during entry into Korea will be placed under facility quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. |
24 February 2021 (KST) |
○ List of MOH-approved COVID-19 Test Providers(link)
