IMPACT – HIGH

The government has announced temporary suspension of visa-free entry and visa waiver programs to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key points:

  • Effective April 13, visa-free entry and visa waiver programs are suspended for nationals of countries imposing entry bans on South Korean citizens. The suspension does not apply to official service passport holders, diplomatic passport holders, APEC Business Travel Card holders or inbound flight or ship crew members.
  • All valid short-term visas (types C-1, C-3) that were issued on or before April 5 are temporarily suspended.
  • The suspension does not apply to long-term visas (types A, D, E, F, G, H) or short-term employment visas (type C-4).
  • For long-term visas over 90 days, consulates and immigration offices are still accepting applications for nationals from countries denying entry to South Koreans; however, processing times are longer, and holders of these visas are still subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival.
  • For long-term visa holders who are in South Korea, if their visa will expire before May 31, it will be automatically extended for three months.
  • South Korean diplomatic missions are requiring applicants for new visas to submit a medical certificate issued within 48 hours and an agreement to enter quarantine.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop and Deloitte will provide updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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