FAQ on Mandatory Submission of Negative COVID-19 PCR Test |
< Central Disease Control HQ >
1. Are negative PCR Certificates issued in any languages other than Korean or English accepted? |
ㅇ In principle, certificates must be issued either in Korean or English.
ㅇ In the case the certificate is issued in a third language, a translated version in either Korean or English, with a notarial certificate for the translation, will be accepted.
※ For instance, translation certification issued by a notary organization
in the country of departure.
2. What types of test are accepted? |
ㅇ Only Real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction will be accepted.
3. When should I take the test? |
ㅇ The test result must be issued within 72 hours before your departure.
※ For instance, when boarding an airplane departing on 21.1.10.
10:00am, certificates issued after 21.1.7. 0am are accepted.
4. What do I do if I have a connecting flight? (Country A → Country B → Korea) |
ㅇ If you transfer a flight from Country A to Country B without entering B, the certificate must be issued at A.
ㅇ If you transfer a flight from A to B, while entering B before departing for Korea, the certificate must be issued in Country B.
5. Are foreign passengers transiting in Korea without entry and heading to a third country required to submit a negative PCR test certificate? (Country A → Korea → Country B) |
ㅇ Passengers transiting in Korea without entry and heading to another country are exempted from submitting a negative PCR test certificate.
6. If I received my PCR test result online, how should I submit it and will it be approved when entering Korea? |
ㅇ A printed copy of the result must be submitted for the National Quarantine Service authorities to verify the negative PCR test result in detail.
ㅇ The test result should include your name (as stated in your passport), type of test that you received, test result, and issuance date.
7. What will happen if I arrive in Korea without a negative PCR test certificate? |
ㅇ Foreign travelers who fail to submit a negative PCR test result will be denied entry (for all countries)
ㅇ Korean nationals entering Korea from the UK or South Africa will be quarantined in a temporary facility for 2 weeks. Individuals are responsible for the expenses of using the facility (1,680,000 KRW per person)
8. Do I need to be tested at a designated institute? |
ㅇ Travelers from countries under reinforced quarantine measures by the Korean government (as of 21.1.7.) must submit a negative PCR test result issued by the designated institution in the country. (Refer to local embassy/consulate website.) These countries include the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
ㅇ Travelers from other countries can submit certificates issued by non-designated institutions.
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