Immigration Clearance in Korea

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Immigration Clearance in Korea (2025 Guide)

Planning a trip to South Korea? Before you land, it’s important to understand the immigration clearance procedures in place. South Korea has streamlined the process for efficiency while also maintaining high border security. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about entry requirements, biometric registration, document preparation, and customs.

🛂 Who Needs Biometric Registration?

All foreign visitors age 17 or older are required to undergo fingerprint and facial recognition registration upon entry.

Exemptions apply to:

  • Foreign government officials & international organization representatives
  • Their family members
  • Visitors officially invited by the Korean central government

👮 Manned Immigration Clearance

  1. Queue under “Foreign Passports” at immigration
  2. Submit your passport and arrival card to the officer
  3. Provide fingerprint and facial scan (if age 17+)

🤖 Automated Immigration (Smart Entry System)

Available for travelers age 17+ who have already submitted biometric data. This includes:

  • Foreigners with a registered alien registration card
  • Short-term visa holders (90 days or less)
  • Visa waiver entrants (e.g., K-ETA, B1, B2)

How to Use the Automated Gate:

  1. Scan your passport at the gate
  2. Enter the auto-gate when prompted
  3. Scan your registered fingerprint
  4. Look into the camera for facial recognition

📝 Required Documents Upon Arrival

1. Arrival Card

Required unless you hold:

  • A valid residence card (including permanent residence)
  • K-ETA approval
  • e-Group visa

e-Arrival Card: Can be submitted online within 3 days of your arrival. No need to print or present at immigration if submitted successfully.

👉 www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr (Available in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Russian)

2. Customs Declaration Form

All travelers must submit a customs declaration if carrying items to declare. One form per family is accepted.

📱 Mobile Submission (Available only at Incheon T2 & Gimpo):

  1. Download the “Korea Customs Declaration for Travelers” app
  2. Fill in personal details and customs info
  3. Receive a QR code
  4. Scan QR code at the arrival kiosk

Website: www.customs.go.kr (Multilingual)

Duty-Free Limits (per person):

  • Total items: Up to USD 800
  • Alcohol: 2 bottles, 2 liters max, USD 400 value
  • Cigarettes: 200 units (no price limit)
  • Perfume: Up to 100 ml

Note: No alcohol or tobacco duty-free allowance for travelers under 19.

3. Q-Code (Health/Quarantine)

Required for travelers entering from designated quarantine inspection countries.

  1. Visit cov19ent.kdca.go.kr
  2. Input personal info, travel history, vaccination, and health status
  3. Submit and receive a QR code
  4. Present QR code at immigration if prompted

ℹ️ Useful Links & Support

Last updated: July 2025 | Source: Korea Immigration Service & Korea Customs

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