South Korea

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of South Korea’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in South Korea set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the South Korean Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ after the date you are leaving South Korea.

To enter South Korea on a long-term visa, your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can enter South Korea for up to 90 days for short-term business or tourism. You must have an onward or return ticket. It’s illegal to be employed in South Korea while visiting visa-free, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.

South Korea operates an electronic travel authorisation system called K-ETA. Anyone eligible for visa-free entry to South Korea is usually required to get K-ETA approval before departure. However, British nationals travelling visa-free to South Korea are temporarily exempt from requiring a K-ETA until December 31, 2026. Further information about the K-ETA exemption can be found on the K-ETA notice board.

If you need to apply for a K-ETA, you should ensure that you apply through the Korean government’s official K-ETA website. Other sites offering K-ETA application services are generally scams. It can take up to 72 hours for K-ETA approval to be granted.

If you are travelling for any purpose other than short-term business or tourism, check visa requirements with the South Korean Embassy in the UK.

For those in South Korea on a work visa, all employment changes must be authorised by Korean Immigration.

Re-entry permits for long-term visa holders

Most foreign nationals in South Korea on long-term visas are allowed to re-enter South Korea within one year of departure without the need for a re-entry permit. Check with the Korea Immigration Service.

If you are resident and intend to spend more than a year outside of South Korea, in most cases, you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit via the Hi Korea website before departure. If you require a re-entry permit, engage early with the immigration authorities and apply for a re-entry permit at least 4 working days ahead of any planned travel. 

Visas for working as an English teacher

To get a visa to teach English in South Korea, you must have a 3-year university degree. A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification alone is not enough. If you are found to have a teaching visa by deception, you will be detained and deported.

British nationals teaching English in South Korea have sometimes found living and working conditions to be below their expectation or have had difficulties getting the correct visas and residence permits. Some also report more serious problems such as breach of contract, confiscation of passport, payment being withheld and inadequate insurance.

Check all terms and conditions of your employment carefully. If possible, speak to other teachers from the place where you plan to work before accepting any offer. If you are in South Korea and in need of assistance, you should contact the British Embassy in Seoul.

Entry declaration form

Foreign nationals entering South Korea are required to submit an entry declaration form (arrivals card) to the immigration officer upon arrival. Passengers may submit an e-Arrival card online in advance instead of submitting a paper form to the immigration officers.

You can submit the e-Arrival card within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in Korea. There is no fee to submit the e-Arrival card. Travellers should visit the e-Arrival card website for further details on the e-Arrival card submission process. Paper entry declaration forms will still be available.

Health screening

All travellers arriving in South Korea from ‘Strict Quarantine Inspection Required Areas’ (including those who have transited in a ‘Strict Quarantine Inspection Required Area’) need to submit a health questionnaire, either through the pre-entry Q-Code system or by completing a paper-based questionnaire on arrival in South Korea. Travellers arriving in South Korea from ‘Quarantine Inspection Required Areas’ who exhibit symptoms must also submit a Q-Code or paper-based health questionnaire.

The UK is currently designated as a ‘Quarantine Inspection Required Area’, meaning that if you have any symptoms of illness you must submit a Q-Code or paper-based health questionnaire on arrival.

Travellers should check the full list of Quarantine Inspection Required Areas prior to travel, as the countries on the lists change frequently. If you need to submit a questionnaire, you should also review the Q-Code submission process. Failure to complete required health screenings could result in a fine of up to KRW 10 million.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s South Korea guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of South Korea. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in South Korea

Ambulance: 119

Fire: 119

Police: 112

English language support

The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) operates a travel hotline to provide assistance in multiple languages, including English. The hotline also offers interpretation services, including support for three-way calls (e.g. between British nationals, the hotline and emergency services) from 7am to midnight. Call 1330 to contact the travel hotline.

Remote interpretation services may be helpful in the case of emergency or out of hours support. The following call centres offer interpretation support, including three-way calls, to foreigners in South Korea:

• Dasan Call Centre (+82 2 120) – available 9am to 6pm Monday-Friday
• Danuri Call Centre (1577 1366) – available 24/7

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in South Korea
• dealing with a death in South Korea
• being arrested or imprisoned in South Korea
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in South Korea on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.