Do US citizens need to apply for a visa to visit South Korea?
No, US citizens can enter South Korea without a visa. The country’s visa-free program permits stays of up to 30, 90, or 180 days, depending on the visitor’s nationality.
What is the allowed duration of stay for Americans in South Korea?
• Visitors from the following countries can enjoy a 30-day visa-free entry to South Korea: Bahrain, Brunei, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vatican City.
• For travelers from these countries, a 90-day visa-free stay is permitted: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.
• Citizens from Canada are allowed a visa-free stay in South Korea for up to 180 days.
What do citizens from USA need to bring to South Korea?
To ensure a smooth entry into South Korea, travelers from USA should prepare these essential documents:
• Valid passport: Your passport must remain valid for at least six months beyond the date of your planned return.
• Return or onward travel documentation: Provide proof of a booked return flight or onward journey to another country.
• Lodging arrangements: Immigration may ask for a confirmed hotel booking or the address of your local host.
• Suggested travel insurance: Although not required, having medical insurance is highly recommended to cover potential health-related expenses.
Do citizens from USA need health insurance for their trip to South Korea?
Although not a requirement, it is highly advisable for Americans to have health insurance. This ensures coverage for medical emergencies, offering financial security and access to quality care during their stay.
What should US citizens explore in South Korea?
South Korea offers a harmonious blend of cultural, historical, and natural attractions for its visitors.
1. Seoul:
• Jogyesa Temple: A serene Buddhist temple in the heart of the city.
• Itaewon District: A multicultural hub with international cuisines and trendy shops.
• Olympic Park: A large park ideal for relaxing walks and photo opportunities.
2. Busan:
• Oryukdo Skywalk: A glass-bottomed walkway above the ocean, perfect for thrill-seekers.
• Centum City: Home to one of the world’s largest shopping malls, perfect for retail therapy.
3. Jeju Island: Enjoy stunning waterfalls such as Cheonjiyeon Falls and the majestic Hallasan Mountain.
4. Suwon: Visit Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing traditional Korean engineering.
Cats and dogs under the age of 90 days are exempt from a titer analysis for antibodies to rabies. Adult pets must be chipped, vaccinated, and have a quarantine certificate.
What documents are required?
- Passport of the animal. The document is issued by a licensed veterinary clinic after examining the pet. It displays data on the breed, age, vaccinations. Also, the 15-digit identification code of the microchip implanted under the animal's skin is entered into the passport.
- Chipping. The microchip must work according to HDX or FDX-B technology, as well as meet the requirements of international standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785. It is not necessary to change old-style chips, but you must have a reading device with you.
- Vaccination. After reaching the age of more than 90 days, the animal must be vaccinated. Importing an animal to South Korea will also require comprehensive vaccination against plague, infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus enteritis, etc.
- Rabies virus antibody titer test. You can take a blood test at least 30 days after vaccination, since the vaccination begins to work only after 21 days. Serological research is carried out only in accredited anti-rabies laboratories. The permissible concentration of antibodies in the animal's blood is at least 0.5 IU/ml. With lower indicators, re-vaccination of the pet is required.
Important! Rabies antibody titer analysis is performed at least 30 days and at most 24 months before the trip.
In order not to postpone the trip at the last moment, you should do the rabies titer analysis in advance, approximately 2-3 months before departure.
1. When entering Korea
There is a system of "red" and "green corridors" in Korea.The "Green Corridor" is designed for individuals moving goods that are exempt from duty and taxes. If you are in doubt as to whether you need to declare the goods you are importing, it is recommended to choose the "red corridor" to avoid possible misunderstandings.
Goods that need to be declared should be packed in such a way that they can be easily presented to a customs official if necessary.
Important! It is categorically not recommended to move the luggage of strangers. If such goods turn out to be prohibited or restricted for import, the person who directly moves them will be responsible for the offense.
It is prohibited to provide customs authorities with inaccurate or incomplete information. Such actions can be followed by a confiscation of the goods as a punishment.
Duty-free import
Goods with a value of not more than 400 dollars are imported into Korea duty-free and tax-free. If the value of the imported goods exceeds the specified limit, customs payments are paid only in respect of the excess.
In addition to the above, it is also allowed to import without a duty:
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages (worth less than 400 dollars);
- 2 ounces of perfumery products (~56.6 g);
- 200 cigarettes;
- 50 cigars;
- 250 g of tobacco.
Personal property (clothing, toiletries, personal jewelry, including a wristwatch) may be imported duty-free, provided that:
- These things are intended for personal use;
- The goods will not be used by other persons, are not intended as a gift, for sale or exchange for other goods.
Members of the same family are allowed to sum up the quotas that belong to each individual.
Items intended as gifts are included in the 400 dollar duty and tax exempt total.
If a person moves goods in excess of the established quotas, it is necessary to declare the goods and pay customs payments, namely: duty, VAT, as well as special taxes. In this case, a simplified rate of duty is applied in the form of 20 to 55%.
Duties and taxes are calculated as a percentage of the contractual value of the goods (the value at which the goods were purchased). If the value of the goods cannot be determined, it is established at the discretion of the customs officer. Payments are accepted only in Korean won. A person cannot pay customs fees using a credit card or in any other way.
Items that should be declared:
- Goods exceeding the established quota numbers;
- Goods designed for sale in Korea;
- Foreign currency and other means of payment summing up to more than 10,000 dollars;
Goods restricted to import:
- Cold weapons and firearms, cartridges for them, explosives;
- Narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as any drugs containing such substances;
- Goods made from animal materials that are under special protection and the use of which is restricted or prohibited;
- Goods, the import of which is restricted by the quarantine service (food products, animals and plant materials);
- Animals, plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as their derivatives.
Restrictions on goods may be introduced for reasons of public safety and welfare of the state, as well as for the purpose of protecting national fauna and flora. A special permit is required to import such goods into the country.
Goods prohibited for import:
- Books, publications;
- Images, films and other materials of pornographic content;
- Any materials that may be considered as ones violating the constitutional order, public security and traditional foundations;
- Counterfeit coins, banknotes, negotiable instruments.
When declaring goods, the following documents must be submitted:
- Passport;
- Plane ticket;
- Customs declaration (if required).
2. When leaving Korea
Duties and taxes are not payable on goods whose value does not exceed 400 dollars.
In addition, a person has the right to export the following goods without payment of customs payments within the specified restrictions:
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages;
- 200 cigarettes;
- 50 cigars;
- 2 ounces of perfumery products (~56.6 g);
- 250 g of tobacco products. The export of alcoholic beverages is allowed for individuals over the age of 20, cigarettes – over the age of 19.
The amount of foreign or Korean currency being exported that exceeds 10,000 dollars must be declared.
When moving souvenirs purchased in Korea, you should be aware that any restrictions and prohibitions may apply to materials of animal and plant origin. Such goods are recommended to be submitted to customs officials for inspection.
If a person takes out of Korea any expensive items (computers, video and photo cameras) with the intention of further importing the goods, such goods must be declared. One of the possible proofs of ownership of goods being brought back can be a receipt.
Goods that are subject to mandatory declaration when taking them out of Korea:
- Animals, plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as their derivatives;
- Korean and foreign currency, the value of which exceeds 10,000 dollars;
- Firearms and cartridges for them;
- Objects of cultural and historical heritage.
Export of the abovementioned goods is carried out on the basis of a permit.