South Korea
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government鈥檚 understanding of South Korea鈥檚 current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in South Korea set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the .
Passport validity requirements
To enter South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days, your passport must have an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� after the date you are leaving South Korea.
To enter South Korea on a long-term visa, your passport should have an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can enter South Korea for up to 90 days for short-term business or tourism. You must have an onward or return ticket. It鈥檚 illegal to be employed in South Korea while visiting visa-free, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.
South Korea operates an electronic travel authorisation system called K-ETA. Anyone eligible for visa-free entry to South Korea is usually required to get K-ETA approval before departure. However, British nationals travelling visa-free to South Korea are temporarily exempt from requiring a K-ETA until December 31, 2025. Further information about the K-ETA exemption can be found on the .
If you need to apply for a K-ETA, you should ensure that you apply through the Korean government鈥檚 . Other sites offering K-ETA application services are generally scams. It can take up to 72 hours for K-ETA approval to be granted.
If you are travelling for any purpose other than short-term business or tourism, check visa requirements with the .
For those in South Korea on a work visa, all employment changes must be authorised by Korean Immigration.
Re-entry permits for long-term visa holders
Most foreign nationals in South Korea on long-term visas are allowed to re-enter South Korea within one year of departure without the need for a re-entry permit. Check with the .
If you are resident and intend to spend more than a year outside of South Korea, in most cases, you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit via the before departure. If you require a re-entry permit, engage early with the immigration authorities and apply for a re-entry permit at least 4 working days ahead of any planned travel.聽
Visas for working as an English teacher
To get a visa to teach English in South Korea, you must have a 3-year university degree. A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification alone is not enough. If you are found to have a teaching visa by deception, you will be detained and deported.
British nationals teaching English in South Korea have sometimes found living and working conditions to be below their expectation or have had difficulties getting the correct visas and residence permits. Some also report more serious problems such as breach of contract, confiscation of passport, payment being withheld and inadequate insurance.
Check all terms and conditions of your employment carefully. If possible, speak to other teachers from the place where you plan to work before accepting any offer. If you are in South Korea and in need of assistance, you should contact the British Embassy in Seoul.
Health screening
All travellers arriving in South Korea from 鈥楽trict Quarantine Inspection Required Areas鈥� (including those who have transited in a 鈥楽trict Quarantine Inspection Required Area鈥�) need to submit a health questionnaire, either through the pre-entry Q-Code system or by completing a paper-based questionnaire on arrival in South Korea.聽Travellers arriving in South Korea from 鈥楺uarantine Inspection Required Areas鈥� who exhibit symptoms聽must also submit a Q-Code or paper-based health questionnaire.
Failure to complete required health screenings could result in a fine of up to KRW 10 million. The UK is not currently designated as a 鈥楺uarantine Inspection Required Area鈥� however travellers should check the full list of聽 补苍诲听聽prior to travel.
Vaccine requirements
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .
Customs rules
There are strict rules about . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.