The South Korean government has announced changes to its quarantine exemption guidelines.

Key Points:

  • As of March 21, travelers who are fully vaccinated and pre-registered their vaccination status in South Korea through a public center as evidenced by the COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate System (COOV) will be eligible for quarantine exemption by obtaining a Q-Code through this website.
  • Beginning April 1, travelers who are fully vaccinated regardless of whether they pre-registered their vaccination status in South Korea will be eligible for quarantine exemption by obtaining a Q-Code through this website before traveling to South Korea.

Additional Information: Individuals traveling from overseas must take a PCR test within 48 hours before departure to South Korea, a PCR test within one day after arrival and a rapid antigen test (RAT) on the sixth or seventh day after arrival. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated will be required to quarantine for seven days upon arrival unless they are traveling to attend a funeral, in which case they may be eligible for a Quarantine Exemption Certificate.

BAL Analysis: Fully vaccinated travelers will soon be eligible to enter the country without having to quarantine if they obtain the Q-Code. Entry and health requirements may change with little or no notice. Individuals are encouraged to check entry requirements posted on specific South Korean consulates’ websites before traveling. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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