ToKorea.org

๐Ÿ›‚ Immigration & Customs

From the aircraft door to the arrivals hall Follow these steps from your plane to the arrivals hall.

  • About 30โ€“90 minutes
  • Passport required
  • For international arrivals

First: are you entering Korea?

Which airport did you arrive at?

The immigration process is the same everywhere. Your airport only changes a few tips.

Are you at the airport now?
Your progress

Your arrival route

  1. โœˆ๏ธ Aircraft

Before you reach immigration

๐Ÿ“ Do I need an e-Arrival Card?
Do you haveโ€ฆ?
  • It is free.
  • You can submit it from 3 days before you arrive in Korea.
  • You normally do not need to print it or show a QR code at immigration. Your submission is linked electronically. Keep the issuance number from your confirmation email handy, just in case.

โš ๏ธ Avoid fake websites. The official Korean e-Arrival Card does not charge a fee. The only official site is e-arrivalcard.go.kr.

Check or submit the e-Arrival Card โ†—
1

Health check

Most travelers simply follow the โ€œArrivals / Immigrationโ€ signs.

If you recently visited, stayed in or transited through a designated quarantine-managed area, you may need to submit a Q-CODE or a health questionnaire.

Q-CODE can be filled in from 7 days before you arrive, and also at the airport on a kiosk or tablet. If you already completed it, keep the confirmation on your phone.

The list of areas changes, so this page does not list countries.

Look for these signs
Quarantine

Fever, cough or other symptoms? Tell the quarantine officers right away.

Check current Q-CODE requirements โ†—
2

Immigration

Follow the signs: Arrivals โ†’ Immigration โ†’ Foreign Passports

Look for these signs
ImmigrationForeign Passports
Have this ready

๐Ÿ›‚ Passport

You may also be asked about
  • Where you are staying
  • Purpose of your visit
  • Length of stay
  • Return or onward travel
  • Your visa or K-ETA status
What happens at the counter
  1. 1Hand over your passport.
  2. 2Fingerprints: place both index fingers on the scanner when told.
  3. 3Face photo: look at the camera when told.
  4. 4Answer any questions.
  5. 5Immigration complete.

Officers may ask for extra documents such as your accommodation details, return or onward travel, your visa, or your boarding pass if needed. Only your passport (and any required arrival declaration) is the basic requirement.

Travelers aged 17 or older are generally required to provide fingerprints and facial recognition data unless exempt. This is a normal part of entry for many foreign visitors.

What might the officer ask?
Why are you visiting Korea?

โ€œTourism.โ€ / โ€œBusiness.โ€ / โ€œVisiting family.โ€

Where are you staying?

Have your hotel name or Korean address ready.

How long are you staying?

Answer with your planned stay.

When are you leaving Korea?

Your return or onward flight information may help.

Questions vary by traveler. Being asked extra questions does not necessarily mean there is a problem.

Can I use an automated gate?

Most short-term visitors should follow the Foreign Passports signs unless airport staff direct them to an automated gate. Eligible registered foreigners, such as residence-card holders, may use Koreaโ€™s Smart Entry Service.

Official immigration information โ†—
3

Baggage claim

After immigration, follow Baggage Claim

Look for these signs
Baggage Claim
  1. 1Find your flight number on the screen.
  2. 2Check the carousel number.
  3. 3Collect all of your checked baggage.
  4. 4Check the tag if two bags look alike.
๐Ÿงณ My bag did not arriveMy bag is damaged
4

Quarantine / Customs

Look for these signs
CustomsNothing to DeclareGoods to Declare
Are you carrying any of these?
๐Ÿฅฉ Bringing food into Korea?

Meat, jerky, sausages, ham, cheese, eggs, fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, plants, soil and some other food products may require declaration or quarantine. Fresh fruit and fruit-bearing vegetables are generally prohibited. When in doubt, declare it.

๐Ÿ’ต Carrying more than US$10,000?

If the total of foreign currency, Korean won, checks and other applicable payment instruments is more than US$10,000 or its equivalent, declare it to Customs before you leave the customs area.

What can I bring duty-free?
General goods
Up to US$800
Alcohol
Up to 2 L and US$400 in total
Cigarettes
200 cigarettes
Perfume
100 mL

Travelers aged 19 or younger cannot claim the alcohol and cigarette allowances. Always check the latest figures on the Korea Customs Service site.

Korea Customs Service โ†— Check the Korea customs limits โ†’

Tips for your airport: TAE ยท Daegu

The immigration process is the same: Immigration โ†’ Baggage โ†’ Customs โ†’ Exit.

  • Daegu is a smaller airport, so the steps are quick and simple.
Airport overview โ†’Airport Transportation โ†’

If something goes wrong

Immigration problem

Stay calm and ask for an interpreter. Call the Immigration Contact Center on 1345.

Baggage missing

Contact your airlineโ€™s baggage service desk before you leave the baggage area.

Not sure about food?

Ask Customs or Quarantine staff before you exit.

No internet?

Use the airport Wi-Fi or ask an information desk.

Signs you will see

Airport signWhat it means
ArrivalsArrivals: the way for people entering Korea
ImmigrationPassport and entry check
Foreign PassportsThe lane for non-Korean passports
Baggage ClaimWhere you collect checked bags
CustomsCustoms inspection area
Goods to DeclareExit if you have items to declare
Nothing to DeclareExit if you have nothing to declare
QuarantineHealth and animal / plant quarantine
Arrivals HallThe public hall after customs
TransferFor connecting flights. Not for entering Korea

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an e-Arrival Card to enter Korea?

It depends on your status. Valid K-ETA holders and valid Korean residence-card holders are generally exempt, while visa holders and some travelers temporarily exempt from K-ETA may need one. Check the official Navigator.

Do I need to print my e-Arrival Card?

No. You do not need to print it or carry it for entry inspection. Knowing your issuance number may help.

Does everyone need Q-CODE?

No. It depends on current quarantine conditions, such as whether you visited, stayed in or transited through a designated area.

Will Korea take my fingerprints?

Foreign travelers aged 17 or older generally provide fingerprints and facial information at immigration unless exempt.

Do I need to fill out a customs form?

If you have nothing to declare, generally no. Travelers who have goods to declare should make a declaration.

Can I bring food into Korea?

Some meat, animal products, fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds and other food products must be declared and may be subject to quarantine.

How much cash can I bring?

Amounts above US$10,000 equivalent in applicable currency or payment instruments must be declared to Customs.