• • Since April 2020 there are entry requirements and quarantine measures for all travellers from abroad.

  • Bring CASH with you to cover fees during this period as a backup payment method.

Negative PCR COVID-19 Test within 72 hours of Arrival

• Since COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, as of January 15, 2021 all non-citizens entering Korea must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test. Test results must be issued within 72 hours of boarding a flight bound for Korea.

• If you do not have this confirmation letter, you will not be allowed to board your flight. We understand this is an additional burden, nevertheless we ask you to prepare accordingly.

Quarantine Accommodations

• • For D-2-6 Visa holders, you must arrange your own quarantine accommodations. 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).

  • 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.

Food Service

• • 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:

    • 1. 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.

      2. Shuttle Delivery: https://www.shuttledelivery.co.kr/en

         • Only delivers to certain locations - Yongsan-gu and Mapo-gu are the best locations (i.e., many restaurants in these areas).

      3. Gmarket: http://www.gmarket.com

         • 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.

Pre-Arrival Preparation

• Please DOWNLOAD and TEST food service applications in your home countries with your payment methods BEFORE arriving in Korea.

SIM Cards

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.

Mandatory Submission of Negative PCR Test

1. Is the PCR test result accepted in a language other than English or Korean?

1. Generally speaking, the negative test result must be issued in English or Korean.

2. However, if the results can only be issued in a local language, an English or Korean translation can be accepted only if the translation is certified/notarized by an official translator and submitted together.

   • Translation certification issued by a notarized agency of the foreign country of departure, etc.

2. What type of tests are accepted?

• Only gene detection tests (real-time reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR])

3. What are the requirements at the time the PCR results are issued?

• A negative PCR test result must be issued within 72 hours of the departure date.

* Example: If departing on January 10, 2021 at 10:00am, only results issue from midnight January 7, 2021 will be accepted.

4. Country A → Country B → When arriving in Korea, which country should results be issued from: Country A or Country B?

• Departing from country A and transferring without entering country B, results must be issued from country A

• In case of departure from country A and departure to Korea after entering country B, results must be issued from from country B

5. Is it required to submit negative PCR test even for foreigners who transfer from Korea to a third country?

• Transit passengers (transfer passengers) who are not entering Korea do not need to submit a negative PCR result.

6. If the negative PCR results are issued digital such as by e-mail or text message, how do I submit it and whether it is recognized when entering Korea?

• It Must be printed and submitted so that specific inspection results can be confirmed by the National Quarantine Service.

• The test results must include your name (as it is written in your passport), the test name, the test results, and the date of issue.

7. What if I don't have a negative PCR test when entering Korea?

• You will not be permitted to enter Korea.

• Koreans entering the country from the UK or South Africa will be quarantined in temporary living facilities for 2 weeks, and the facility usage fee (1.68 million won per person) during the quarantine period must be borne by the individual.

8. Are negative PCR results issued by a designated inspection agency in my country only accepted?

• In the case of countries (i.e., the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, and Nepal) which currently have strengthened quarantine measures in place as of January 7, only negative PCR results from a designated COVID-19 testing center will be accepted. Please refer to the local Korean Embassy websites for more information.

• Negative test results from other countries will be accepted any regular testing center.

If you are having difficulty making arrangements for a place to do quarantine, you might consider using an all-inclusive service from HGBS, which is working with HUFS OIAM Office to help international students navigate this process:

STAY 14

• WEBSITE : www.stay14.com

• INSTAGRAM : https://www.instagram.com/quarantine_seoul/

• FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/quarantine.korea

• EMAIL : joong4u@naver.com / kykyyoon75@gmail.com:

• WhatsApp : 82 10 6593 9611

Livable Korea

• https://www.notion.so/LIVABLE-KOREA-14c11aca71a14c1a87319c7d11fb9a72