Korea Immigration & Customs Clearance Guide

Immigration Clearance Overview

All foreign visitors entering the Republic of Korea must complete immigration clearance procedures at airports or seaports. This guide provides comprehensive information about biometric registration, immigration procedures, document requirements, and customs regulations to ensure a smooth entry process.

Important: Any inbound foreign visitor aged 17 or older is required to undergo mandatory fingerprint and facial recognition registration at immigration checkpoints.

Biometric Registration Requirements

All foreign travelers aged 17 and above entering Korea through any port or airport must complete biometric registration, which includes:

Fingerprint scanning (both index fingers)
Facial photograph capture

Exemptions from Biometric Registration

The following individuals are exempt from biometric registration:

Foreign government officials on official duty
International organization representatives
Family members accompanying exempt individuals
Visitors with official invitations from the Korean central government

Immigration Clearance Procedures

Option 1: Manual Immigration Clearance

Standard immigration clearance process with immigration officers.

1

Queue in Foreign Passport Line

Wait in the designated queue for foreign passport holders until an immigration officer becomes available.

2

Submit Required Documents

Present your passport and arrival card to the immigration officer.

3

Biometric Information Collection

Provide fingerprints and have your photo taken (required for all foreigners aged 17 and older).

4

Receive Entry Approval

Immigration officer reviews your documents, verifies information, and stamps your passport for entry.

Option 2: Automated Immigration System (Smart Entry Service)

For faster processing, eligible travelers can use automated immigration gates.

Eligibility for Automated Entry: Available to foreigners aged 17 or older who have previously registered their biometric information upon arrival, including foreign residence card holders.

Automated Immigration Clearance Procedure

1

Scan Your Passport

Place your passport on the scanner at the automated gate kiosk.

2

Enter the Auto-Gate

Walk through the automated gate when the door opens.

3

Fingerprint Verification

Scan your registered fingerprint on the designated scanner for identity verification.

4

Facial Recognition

Look at the camera for facial recognition scan and verification.

Automated Departure: The Automated Immigration System for departure is available at certain airports for foreigners aged 17+ who have provided biometric information upon arrival and entered Korea on a visa waiver (B1 & B2 status) or short-term visa (90 days or less).

Document Preparation Before Arrival

You can expedite your arrival process by completing required forms on the plane before landing or submitting them online in advance.

📄 Arrival Card

Required for most travelers entering Korea. Can be submitted online or on paper.

🛃 Customs Declaration

Required if you have items to declare. Submit online via app or paper form.

🏥 Q-Code (If Required)

Health declaration for travelers from quarantine inspection areas.

1. Arrival Card

All visitors entering Korea are required to submit an arrival card, except for those who hold:

Valid residence card (including permanent residence cards)
Approved K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)
e-Group visa

e-Arrival Card (Online Submission)

How to Submit e-Arrival Card Online:

Visit the e-Arrival card website before your trip
Fill in personal and travel information online
Submit within 3 days of arrival based on Korean Standard Time (GMT +9)
Example: For January 31 arrival, earliest submission is January 29
No need to print or present paper copy if successfully submitted online
Can be screen-captured or downloaded as PDF for your records

Website: www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr

Languages Available: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Russian

2. Customs Declaration Form

All passengers entering Korea with items to declare must complete a customs declaration form. Key points:

Individual travelers must each fill out a form
Only one form per family when traveling together
Must report postal shipments or uninspected cargo
Can be submitted online or on paper

How to Submit Customs Declaration Online

1

Download the App

Download and install “Korea Customs Declaration for Travelers” app (Android or iOS)

Languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese

2

Enter Personal Information

Fill in name, phone number, address, passport number, and other required details

3

Complete Declaration Form

Check and declare all customs information accurately

4

Receive QR Code

Submit form and receive a QR code confirmation

5

Scan QR Code at Arrival

Present and scan your QR code at the customs auto-gate upon arrival

Convenient Features:

App works offline on the plane
Can submit before arriving in Korea
Accepted at all international airports and seaports
Also available on official customs website
Form must be in Korean or English
Families only need one form

Tax Exemption Regulations

Each traveler is entitled to the following duty-free allowances:

Item Category	Exemption Limit	Additional Notes
General Purchases	Up to USD $800 total value	Per person
Alcohol	Up to USD $400 value, 2 liters max	Per person (age 20+)
Cigarettes	200 cigarettes	No price limit (age 20+)
Perfume	100 ml	No price limit

Important: Travelers aged 19 and younger cannot receive tax exemption for alcohol or cigarettes, regardless of the laws in their home country.

3. Q-Code (Health Declaration)

Travelers entering Korea from Quarantine Inspection Required Areas must obtain a Q-Code in advance.

How to Get Q-Code

Access Q-Code website before arrival
Input passport information, entry details, and duration of stay
Provide vaccination records and health status information
Review information carefully and submit
Receive QR code confirmation
Show QR code upon arrival at health screening

Q-Code Website Status: The Q-Code website (cov19ent.kdca.go.kr) is temporarily unavailable. For inquiries, please contact +82-1339.
Languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete online forms in advance: Submit e-Arrival card and customs declaration before boarding to save time
Have documents ready: Keep passport, boarding pass, and any required forms easily accessible
Declare all items: Be honest and complete when filling out customs declaration to avoid penalties
Know tax exemption limits: Understand duty-free allowances to avoid unexpected charges
Use mobile apps: Download customs declaration app before flight (works offline)
Save confirmation QR codes: Keep screenshots of submitted forms on your phone

Useful Resources & Contact Information

🛬 Incheon Airport

Immigration Guide

www.airport.kr

Languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese

🛂 Immigration Service

Korea Immigration Service

www.immigration.go.kr

Languages: Korean, English

🛃 Customs Service

Korea Customs Service

www.customs.go.kr

Languages: Korean, English

📞 24/7 Travel Hotline

1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330

Languages Available: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay

🌐 Online Services

e-Arrival Card: www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr
Customs Declaration (Mobile App): Search “Korea Customs Declaration for Travelers” in App Store or Google Play
Q-Code (When Available): cov19ent.kdca.go.kr