Information on canceling re-entry permits for holders of long-term visas to the Republic of Korea

The Government of the Republic of Korea, in connection with measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, decided to suspend the cancellation of re-entry permits for holders of long-term visas. This measure took effect at 00:00 on June 1, 2020 and will be valid until further notice.

Accordingly, starting from June 1, 2020, all foreigners, with the exception of persons holding visas A-1 (diplomatic), A-2 (official), A-3 (by international agreement) and F-4 (foreign Koreans) who live in Korea, they must apply for permission to re-enter through the local immigration authorities before leaving the Republic of Korea (if they wish to further maintain their stay and entry status).

In accordance with Section 37 of the Immigration Law of the Republic of Korea, leaving the country without permission will result in the cancellation of long-term visas. To re-enter the territory of South Korea, it will be necessary to obtain a new long-term visa.

All foreigners who have been granted permission to re-enter the territory of South Korea must undergo a medical examination no earlier than 48 hours before the date of their departure, submit a written examination to the receiving party, which, if these requirements are violated, can be refused everywhere.

The medical certificate must be in English or Korean, signed by a medical expert and issued by an authorized medical institution. This should include the date of the examination and the presence or absence of fever, cough, chills, headache, shortness of breath, muscle pain and pulmonary symptoms.

Foreigners who have been issued a quarantine (isolation) exemption certificate issued by the Korean embassy or consulate are exempted from medical examination and the obligation to provide medical certificates.

According to a note from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nur-Sultan (copy attached), the Government of Korea has decided not to affix visas to foreign passports from July 1, 2020 due to the introduction of a new improved visa system.

Foreigners must obtain visa information from the official website www.visa.go.kr as a reference and show it at the Korean border and at the migration checkpoint in the country of stay.