e. Quarantine FAQ
Quarantine Upon Arrival FAQ
DO I need a Negative PCR Test before departing?
YES!
1. Can the test result be in languages other than Korean or English?
○ The test method (test type) must be written in Korean or English.
○ If the test method is written in a language that is NOT Korean or English, a certified translation of the test result must be provided in Korean or English, along with a certificate of translation.*
* NOTE: Translations by individual translators must be certified by a notary office or Korean embassy. Translations by the certified translation office or a certified translator does not need to be notarized or certified by embassy.
2. Which test types are valid for the requirement?
○ PCR tests based on the nucleic acid amplification method (e.g. NAATs, RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, SDA, NEAR) are valid.
- Antigen/antibody tests (e.g. RAT, ELISA) and self-administered tests without supervision of medical personnel are not valid.
3. What is the requirement for the time of “Negative PCR COVID-19 test” and issuance of results thereof?
○ From JAN 13, 2022, submit inspecion results based on enhanced inspecion and issuance standard
-(From JAN 13, 2022 until JAN 19, 2022) submit result of Negative PCR COVID-19 test executed(the sample collected) and issued within 72 hours of the departure date
- (From JAN 20. 2022) submit result of Negative PCR COVID-19 test executed(the sample collected) and issued within 48 hours of the departure date
* For example, if your departure is scheduled at 10 AM on JAN 14, 2022, your test result needs to have been issued and the sample collected after 12 AM of JAN 11, 2022.,
if your departure is scheduled at 10 AM on JAN 21, 2022, your test result needs to have been issued and the sample collected after 12 AM of JAN 19, 2022.
If the date of entry is before 24:00 on JAN.12.’22
Negative PCR COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours of the departure date
※ If the date of issuance is within 72 hours even if the time of test has exceeded 72 hours, it can be acknowledged as being valid.
If the date of entry is after 24:00 on JAN.13.’22
Negative PCR COVID-19 test conducted with result issued within 72 hours of the departure date
※ Only if the test is conducted and the date of issuance is within 72 hours of the departure date, it can be acknowledged as being valid.
If the date of entry is after 00:00 on JAN.20.’22
Negative PCR COVID-19 test conducted with result issued within 48 hours of the departure date
※ Only if the test is conducted and the date of issuance is within 48 hours of the departure date, it can be acknowledged as being valid.
※ In the case of port, submit result of Negative PCR test issued(not the sample collected) whithin 72 hours of the departure date
4. Is a PCR test based on saliva sample rather than a nasal swab accepted?
○ Saliva PCT tests are accepted if the sample was analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- Other requirements such as testing center, date of issuance, etc. (refer to Q5) still need to be met.
* NOTE: Any form of self-administered tests without supervision of medical personnel, regardless of the test type, are not accepted.
5. What information needs to be on the test result?
○ The test result document needs to include your name (identical to name on passport; middle name may be omitted), date of birth (passport number or ID number is acceptable in lieu of the date of birth), test method (e.g. NAAT, PCR, LAMP, TMA, SDA), test date, test result, date of issuance, and name of testing center.
6. What if the date of issuance and sampling collected is not indicated on the test result?
○ If data that enable the confirmation of date of test and issuance indirectly including hospital email or certificate of confirmation of hospital screening, it can be acknowledged as being valid (the passenger has the responsibility to provide such evidence).
7. Does the test result need to be issued by a government-designated testing center?
○ The countries that have government-designated testing centers are the Philippines (effective since July 13), Indonesia (since July 13), Uzbekistan (since July 26) and Russia (applicable only for those arriving through seaports). For travelers who are arriving from these countries, only the test results issued by the respective government-designated testing centers are accepted.
* NOTE: The list of countries with designated testing centers are subject to change; changes will be posted on the websites of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Korean embassy.
○ As for other countries, the test result can be issued by any testing center in the country.
8. If I received my test result online or by email, how should the test result be submitted? Is a digital copy also valid?
○ Upon arrival, you will need to provide a hard copy of the test result before entering the Republic of Korea.
- If you don’t have a hard copy to turn in upon arrival but are able to print out a hard copy after entry, you can have the test result printed out while at the airport or staying at a quarantine facility. Note that you will not be able to leave until you can provide a hard copy and that you will be charged for the use of the facility.
* NOTE: Due to the limited capacity of the airport, you will not at the airport for an extended period of time or after the airport’s closing time. In such case, you will need to stay in the quarantine facility until you can provide a hard copy. Note that accommodation and meals at the airport will not be available.
9. What if I am transiting through another country before entering the Republic of Korea?
○ If you are departing from Country A, transiting through Country B, and arriving in Korea:
→ If you did not enter Country B, your test result can be from either Country A or Country B.
→ If you entered Country B, your test result must be from Country B.
* If you entered Country B but left Country B before 48 hours had passed since the time your test result from Country A was conducted and issued, the test result conducted and issued in Country A is acceptable.
10. What if I am transiting through Korea to go to another country?
○ Transit passengers who are not entering the Republic of Korea do not need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result.
11. What about infants and young children? Do they also need a negative test result?
○ The negative pre-departure test requirement may be waived for children under the age of 6 (as of the date of arrival) if ALL persons accompanying the child submit valid negative test results.
○ If any of the accompanying person has COVID-19 suspected symptoms, the accompanying person and the child will be required to get a COVID-19 test.
12. What about A-1, A-2, A-3 visa holders? What if I am fully vaccinated?
○ The negative pre-departure test requirement applies to A Visa holders (A-1: Diplomat, A-2: Government official, A-3: Agreement) and fully vaccinated travelers entering the Republic of Korea.
13. Do foreign business persons who use the fast track also need to submit negative PCR test results when entering the Republic of Korea?
○ The negative pre-departure test result requirement applies to fast track travelers.
14. Who are exempted from submission of “Negative PCR COVID-19 test result?
○ Children under 6 as of the date of arrival (only if all the accompanying persons traveling with the child have submitted valid negative test results)
○ Individuals with quarantine exemption certificates for humanitarian (attending funerals) or official business reasons.
※ The exemption of test requirement for foreign nationals with quarantine exemption certificates for above purposes is effective from 18 November 2021 (The exemption is already applied for Korean nationals).
○ Flight crew
○ Individuals who departed from Korea for another country but were denied entry or otherwise did not go through with the entry procedure at another country before returning to Korea. This applies to both Korean nationals and foreign nationals, and the burden of proof is on the traveling individual.
○ Korean sailors departing from Singapore, who hold “Seafarer’s Book of Republic of Korea”
※ Subject to change according to the COVID-19 situation overseas
* Note: Beginning on January 13, 2022, Korean nationals who enter from Myanmar and other individuals listed above must submit a PCR negative certificate without exception.
15. What happens to Korean nationals without a valid pre-departure test result?
○ Travelers need to show their negative result to the airline before boarding their flight to Korea. You will not be allowed to board their flight if you don’t have a valid pre-departure negative test result. Effective July 15, 2021, this applies to Korean nationals as well as foreign nationals.
- Exceptions apply to children under the age of 6 at the time of arrival (provided that all accompanying persons traveling with the child have pre-departure negative test results) and travelers who have quarantine exemption certificates for funeral attendance, etc. (Refer to Q14)
○ If the pre-departure test result submitted is found to be invalid (i.e., does not meet all the requirements), the traveler will be placed in a temporary quarantine facility for 5 days (Quarantine fee to be charged: KRW 600,000 or KRW120,000/day), followed by 5 days of home quarantine. In the case of seaports, disembarking will be prohibited for all sailors on board.
- A person who fails to cooperate with the request for negative pre-departure test result or submits a falsified document may face legal ramifications in accordance with the Quarantine Act.
* Note: Korean nationals with quarantine exemption certificates who fail to submit valid pre-departure negative test results will have their quarantine exemption invalidated even if they have been vaccinated outside of Korea, and they will be quarantined at a facility (quarantine fees will be charged).
16. What are measures taken if foreigner does not have or has “Negative PCR COVID-19 test result” that falls short of the necessary requisite?
○ Travelers need to show their negative result to the airline before boarding their flight to Korea. Travelers without a valid negative pre-departure test result in possession will not be allowed to board their flight. If the test result submitted is found to be invalid, the traveler will be denied entry to the Republic of Korea. In the case of seaports, disembarking will be prohibited for all sailors.
- Foreign nationals who have been vaccinated in the Republic of Korea will still need to show a valid pre-departure negative test result to be allowed to board their flight.
- Exceptions apply to travelers who departed from Korea to another country but were denied entry to the destination country or otherwise did not go through the entry procedure before returning to Korea; in such cases, they will be able to board the return flight without a pre-departure test result. The burden of proof is on the traveling individual.
※ In the case of foreign nationals (long-term and short-term visas) with quarantine exemption certificates, they will not be allowed to enter Korea without a valid pre-departure test result, even if they have been vaccinated overseas.
○ Anyone who fails to cooperate with requests for pre-departure negative test results or submits falsified document may face legal ramifications in accordance with the Quarantine Act, including but not limited to an order of deportation.
17. What happens if my negative PCR test result “expires” (i.e. more than 48 hours elapses since sample colleted date from JAN 20. 2022) due to a delay in the flight?
○ If departure is delayed due to reasons such as bad weather conditions or aircraft failure causing the pre-departure test result to be more than 48 hours old upon arrival, the test result will be considered valid if the delay can be verified by the head of the mode of transportation (e.g., airline, shipping company). The burden of proof is on the traveling individual.
Can I quarantine with friends?
Yes.
Students recommended sharing an AirBnB together to reduce costs and increase their living spaces. The flat should have a separate bedroom and bathroom for each person.
Students must arrange these before coming to Korea otherwise they will not be allowed to pass through Immigration.
The accommodations will be approved by the local district health office after you arrive and check in with them.
Can I use the Government quarantine FACILITIES?
Seoul Metropolitan Government operates temporary living facility for international students. Please refer to the website.
What kind of places can I use for quarantine?
There are Hotels (e.g., Dongdaemun Sky Park) and AirBnB's that are the best options. We recommend using AirBnB's as they are the most cost-effective for students.
But the Korean Embassy/my Local Embassy said the Opposite of HUFS?
The embassies and consulates are not necessarily that well-informed or have accurate information. Accounts online are all different in addition to embassies all having different information, or not knowing themselves.
All of our information that we are sending you is based on ACTUAL FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE during Fall 2020 pre-arrival and arrival stages of the new students.
We interviewed students during and after quarantine;
have been in contact with the local District Health Office case workers assigned to students in quarantine;
and Immigration Officers at the airport.
Where are the best areas to look for?
The easiest way to do this is via an AirBnB in Mapo or Yongsan districts (the area matters for food delivery service from Shuttle Delivery if you plan on using it, see below).
Can I do the quarantine in HUFS dormitories?
No.
What should I prepare for quarantine?
Many students recommend preparing a Korean cell phone/service in advance. You can also get a SIM card but you need to make sure your cell phone is not region-locked. You can get these at the airport, but, it is better to prepare this in advance before arriving in Korea.
Pre-Arrival Preparation
Please DOWNLOAD and TEST food service applications in your home countries with your payment methods BEFORE arriving in Korea.
How do I prepare for food service during quarantine?
https://www.quarantineguide.org
Students also need to plan ahead for Food Service. We know of two ways to order/pay for food using non-Korean credit cards, and without Korean cell service/SIM card with phone service:
Pack Your Own Food
Some students brought an extra carrier with enough non-perishable food for two weeks - this is very easy to prepare in advance in your home country.
Only delivers to certain locations - Yongsan-gu and Mapo-gu are the best locations (i.e., many restaurants in these areas).
Accepts foreign credit cards - but you must make an account.
Prices can be more expensive when searching in English.
Food items are typically sold in BULK.