Requirement for Entry to Korea from China (from Jan 10, 2023)




From Jan 7, 2023, anyone who departs for Korea from China, Hong Kong, or Macao must hold a COVID-19 negative certificate and upload it to Q-Code. Before check-in, please present the QR code generated after Q-code registration and the COVID-19 negative result certificate. 


From Jan 5, 2023, anyone who stayed in China mainland within 7 days and departs for Korea from China, Hong Kong, or Macao must hold a COVID-19 negative certificate and upload it to Q-Code. Before check-in, please present the QR code generated after Q-code registration and the COVID-19 negative result certificate.


If a passenger does not match the requirement, he/she will be rejected for on boarding.


From Jan 10, 2023, All China, Hong Kong, or Macau passengers must enter Korea via Incheon International Airport. Domestic transit(i.e. Incheon to Busan) at Incheon airport is not allowed.


Before Entry into Korea


1. K-ETA: Nationals of K-ETA eligible countries/regions can apply for K-ETA via the official K-ETA website(https://www.k-eta.go.kr/) or mobile application(search K-ETA on the mobile APP store) at least 72 hours before departure

※ HKSAR, MACAOSAR, and BNO passport holders are required to apply for K-ETA and obtain approval to enter Korea under visa-free entry.

※ Chinese passport / DI passport / Macao travel pass holders need to apply for a visa depending on visiting purpose.

※ Please check the K-ETA website for eligible countries/regions.


2. COVID-19 test: from Jan 7, 2023,  all travelers (including Korean Nationals) entering the Republic of Korea are required to upload a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 48 hours or a negative COVID-19 RAT test result has taken no more than 24 hours before the departure date into Q-code. and before check-in, please present the COVID-19 negative result certificate.

※ exempted: children under 6 as date of arrival, transit passengers via Hong Kong/Macao airport from overseas

※ Information that must include on the certificate

① Name: should be identical to passport name

② Date of Birth or Passport number or ID number

③ Test type

- COVID-19 PCR test type : PCR, RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, SDA, NEAR

- COVID-19 RAT test must be performed by a medical professional, self-performed RAT test result is not accepted.

④ Test date and issue date

- COVID-19 PCR test: must be taken no more than 48 hours before the departure date

(if departure on Jan 12th at 10 am, a test must be taken after Jan 10th at 00:00)

- COVID-19 RAT test: must be taken no more than 24 hours before the departure date

(if departure on Jan 12th at 10 am, a test must be taken after Jan 11th at 00:00)

⑤ Test result: must be 'NEGATIVE' or 'not detected'. 

- 'positive' or 'indeterminate/invalid/inhibitory' is not accepted.

⑥ the COVID-19 test result certificate must be written in English or Korean.

⑦ the name of COVID-19 test centre or laboratory

- there are no designated testing centers or laboratories in Hong Kong or Macao


3. Q-code: please visit the Q-CODE web page(https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr) and register with personal information, health status questionnaire, COVID-19 negative result certificate and etc. Before check-in, please present the generated QR code.


After arrival in Korea


1. COVID-19 test: no need at this moment