South Korea's Digital Arrival Card System Starts This February

(SPOT.ph) PSA: Travelers headed to South Korea will soon need to accomplish a new step before they can explore the land of Hallyu.

South Korea is rolling out a digital arrival card system for all incoming visitors, officially replacing the old paper-based form. With the transition starting by the end of February, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the process. Here’s what you need to know.

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Everything we know (so far) about South Korea's new digital arrival card system:

In a post on its social media pages, the Korea Tourism Organization Manila (KTO) announced that a new e-arrival card system will take effect by February 24. This system requires all foreign nationals entering the Republic of Korea to fill out the entry declaration before going through immigration at air and sea ports. 

Like other digital arrival systems and our e-Travel,  you can submit your forms up to three days before you arrive in Korea to ensure fast and hassle-free entry. But don't make the mistake of accomplishing the arrival details any earlier than that, as your arrival card won't count if it is submitted outside the 72-hour limit.

To accomplish this new requirement, foreign travelers simply need to visit the e-Arrival website through their PCs or phones and fill out the necessary information about their trip. 

Here are the things you need to prepare when filling out your e-Arrival Card: 

• Passport Information: you can take a photo or upload an image of your passport bio page. 
• Travel details: have the following information about your trip on-hand:
  • date of arrival
  • flight number
  • departure information
  • purpose of entry
  • temporary Korean address
  • contact information

After entering these details, you can submit your form on the website. Once confirmed, you will be able to download a PDF copy of the e-Arrival card you submitted. While it is not required to show a copy of the form to South Korean immigration personnel, it's still a good idea to have a backup up on hand just in case.

The submission of the e-Arrival card is free of charge. This new system is poised to replace the existing paper arrival cards currently provided in ports of entry. While the digital e-Arrival card system will be rolled out this February, the paper forms for entry will still be available until December 2025.

For more information, visit South Korea's e-Arrival card website. 

Also read:
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Singapore Opens Automated Arrival Lanes to All Foreigners

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