Posted by Thanks to the growing influence of K-CULTURE, the number of people who dream of traveling to Korea is on the rise. As if to compensate for all the travel restrictions put in place because of the pandemic, the COVID-19 testing rules and entry procedures have been relaxed little by little since the first half of the year.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at Incheon Airport’s further simplified entry process for international arrivals. If you were planning on a trip to Korea, be ready to take some notes!☺
Incheon Airport Immigration Process Simplified
TIP 1. Rapid antigen tests before entering the country are accepted!
Previously, those who enter the country through Incheon Airport were required to hold a certificate of a negative PCR test result for COVID-19. This was one of the reasons why many people were hesitant to travel overseas, as PCR test facilities can be difficult to find in some countries, not to mention being pricy.
Starting May 23, 2022, not only negative PCR test results, but certificates of negative RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) results became acceptable in Korea as well, provided that the certificate was issued within 24 hours prior to the departure date. The test method must be written in Korean or English! Certificates of PCR test results must be issued within 48 hours prior to the departure date.
For example, if your flight departs at 10:00AM on June 24, only a certificate of PCR test result issued after 00:00AM of June 22, and/or a certificate of RAT test result issued after 00:00AM of June 23 can be accepted. If you receive the certificate of negative test results online, you can upload the image file onto the pre-entry quarantine information system (Q-CODE) for your convenience.
Please note that anyone without a certificate of a negative PCR or RAT test result for COVID-19, or with one that does not meet the requirements, will be restricted from getting on board the aircraft regardless of vaccination status!
Incheon Airport Immigration Process Simplified
TIP 2. Quarantine requirements lifted from June 8 regardless of vaccination status!
Currently, Korea does not require vaccinated individuals to quarantine upon entering the country regardless of where they have departed from. The definition of “individuals who have completed vaccination” became further relaxed as of June 1, 2022. So let’s find out who are considered to have completed their vaccinations!
① Individual who has completed the second dosage of a WHO approved vaccination (1st dose for Janssen) within 14 to 180 days, or who has completed the third (booster) vaccination
② Those under the age 12 as of the date of entry accompanied by a fully-vaccinated guardian
③ Those under the age 18 as of the date of entry who have passed 14 days after the second dosage of a vaccine
④ Those with a history of testing positive who have passed 14 days after the second dosage of a vaccine
The further relaxed restrictions on younger travelers must be welcome news for those who are planning family trips!
Incheon Airport Immigration Process Simplified
TIP 3. Timeframe to take the mandatory PCR test extended and relaxed!
Lastly, here is the standard for people who enters Korea. Due to the current countermeasures against the re-spread of COVID-19, the requirement for overseas entrants is changed from ‘PCR test within 3 days after entry’ to ‘PCR test within 1 day’.
Since PCR test within 1 day, 24 hours, is necessary, it would be better to conduct the test in Incheon Airport right after arrival. Also, from 15th July, additional COVID-19 test centers will be located in Terminal 2 for fastening and raising passenger’s convenience.
Please note that PCR test is available on both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2! Please follow the below link for more details!
https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/quaranti/quarantine.do