Jeju Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Jeju Island operates under both South Korea's general visa policy and its own special visa waiver program. Many nationalities can enter Jeju visa-free for tourism purposes, even if they would require a visa for mainland Korea.
Citizens of these countries can enter Jeju (and mainland Korea) without a visa for tourism or business purposes
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay. Visitors must not engage in paid employment. Return or onward ticket required.
Citizens of these countries can enter Jeju Island visa-free for tourism, but may need a visa for mainland Korea
Cost: Free
Stay is restricted to Jeju Island only. To travel to mainland Korea, appropriate visa is required. Chinese nationals must be part of a tour group or have visited certain OECD countries in the past. Direct international flight to Jeju required (not via mainland Korea).
Some visa-exempt nationals must obtain K-ETA before traveling to South Korea (including Jeju)
Cost: Approximately 10,000 KRW (around $8-10 USD)
K-ETA requirements are subject to frequent policy changes. Verify current requirements before booking travel. Some nationalities remain exempt from K-ETA.
Nationals not eligible for visa-free entry or Jeju special program must obtain a visa in advance
Tourist visa (C-3) is most common for short-term visits. Different visa categories exist for business, study, work, and other purposes. Some nationalities may apply for e-Visa through Korean embassy websites.
Arrival Process
Upon arrival at Jeju International Airport, travelers will go through immigration and customs procedures. The process is well-organized with multilingual signage and staff. During peak tourist seasons, arrival halls can be busy, so allow adequate time.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Korea has strict customs regulations to protect public health, agriculture, and national security. Jeju follows the same customs rules as mainland Korea. All travelers must pass through customs inspection, and failure to declare prohibited or restricted items can result in fines, confiscation, or legal action.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - Korea has extremely strict drug laws with severe penalties including lengthy imprisonment
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives - except with special permission from Korean authorities
- Materials considered subversive or obscene - including certain publications and media
- Counterfeit currency and securities - reproduction of Korean or foreign currency
- Items infringing intellectual property rights - counterfeit branded goods, pirated media
- Meat and meat products from most countries - due to disease control (very strictly enforced)
- Fresh fruits and vegetables - most fresh produce is prohibited without phytosanitary certificates
- Live animals and plants - without proper permits and quarantine documentation
- Items harmful to public safety or Korean constitutional order
- Certain prescription medications - particularly those containing controlled substances
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only personal amounts with prescription documentation and original packaging. Some medications legal elsewhere may be controlled in Korea
- Hunting guns and swords - require permission from local police authorities
- Wireless communication devices - certain frequencies require approval from Korean authorities
- Agricultural products - most require phytosanitary certificates and inspection
- Animal products - require veterinary health certificates and quarantine inspection
- Cultural properties and antiques - items over 50 years old may require export permits when leaving
- Drones and remote-controlled aircraft - subject to registration and flight restrictions in Korea
- Large amounts of currency - amounts over $10,000 USD must be declared
Health Requirements
South Korea maintains high health and safety standards. While routine vaccinations are generally sufficient for most travelers, it's important to verify current requirements before travel, especially given evolving global health situations.
Required Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are routinely required for entry to Korea for most travelers
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from yellow fever endemic countries (certain regions of Africa and South America)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), polio, and influenza
- Hepatitis A and B - especially for longer stays or if visiting rural areas
- Japanese encephalitis - if staying for extended periods during summer months in rural areas
- Typhoid - for travelers eating at small local establishments or rural areas
- COVID-19 - check current requirements as policies change frequently
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is strongly recommended but not mandatory for tourist visits. Korea has excellent medical facilities but healthcare can be expensive for foreigners. Insurance should cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. Some visa categories (work, study) may require proof of health insurance. Ensure your policy covers activities you plan to undertake (hiking, water sports, etc.).
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport regardless of age. Minors (under 18) traveling without both parents should carry a notarized letter of consent from non-accompanying parent(s) authorizing travel, including contact information. This is particularly important for children traveling with one parent, relatives, or school groups. Carry birth certificates or custody documents if applicable. Some immigration officers may question children traveling without parents to prevent child abduction. Ensure children's passport validity meets the 6-month requirement.
Pets must have an ISO-compliant microchip and valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 30 days but not more than 12 months before entry). Health certificate from licensed veterinarian required (issued within 10 days of departure). Dogs and cats from rabies-free countries undergo shorter quarantine (12 hours to 10 days) at owner's expense. Pets from countries not recognized as rabies-free may face longer quarantine periods. Advance notification to Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency required at least 10 days before arrival. Import permit needed for certain breeds. Emotional support animals are not recognized in Korea - only service animals with proper documentation. Contact APQA at +82-54-912-0616 or www.qia.go.kr for detailed requirements.
Tourist visa-free stays cannot be extended beyond authorized period (typically 30-90 days depending on nationality). For longer stays, you must leave Korea and re-enter (visa runs are monitored and may be questioned) or obtain appropriate long-term visa before arrival. Long-term visa categories include: D-2 (student), E-series (employment), F-series (family/residence), H-1 (working holiday for eligible countries). Visa extensions for tourist stays are rarely granted except in emergency situations (medical, natural disaster). Apply for extension at least 10 days before current visa expires at Jeju Immigration Office with valid reason, supporting documents, and fees. Overstaying results in fines, deportation, and entry bans.
Short-term business activities (meetings, conferences, market research) generally allowed under tourist visa or visa-free entry. Cannot engage in paid employment or sign employment contracts. For extended business stays or work activities, appropriate work visa (E-series) required. Carry business documentation: invitation letter from Korean company, business registration, conference registration, or meeting schedules. Some business travelers may qualify for Business Travel Card (ABTC) for expedited immigration processing.
Korea does not have a specific digital nomad visa. Working remotely for foreign companies while on tourist visa is a gray area - technically you're not employed in Korea, but immigration may question extended stays. If planning to work remotely from Jeju for extended periods, consult immigration authorities. Some digital nomads use visa runs or apply for long-term visas through language schools. Working for Korean companies requires proper work visa regardless of remote work arrangement.
Korea is popular for medical tourism. Medical visa (C-3-M) available for those seeking medical treatment, valid up to 90 days. Requires medical certificate from Korean medical institution, financial proof for treatment costs, and treatment plan. Some medical tourists enter on regular tourist visa for minor procedures. Ensure travel insurance covers medical procedures. Allow adequate recovery time before return flight. Medical facilities in Jeju are good but Seoul has more specialized options.
Transit passengers not leaving airport generally don't need visa. If leaving airport during layover, visa requirements depend on nationality and length of stay. Korea offers transit tourism program allowing certain nationalities to leave airport for up to 72 hours when transiting to third country with confirmed onward ticket. Baggage must be checked through to final destination. Verify eligibility before booking flights requiring transit.