(SPOT.ph) Get your passports ready, folks, because it looks like there's a new way to tour South Korea without the hassle of securing a visa! The Embassy of the Republic of Korea has announced three "visa-free" ways to get into the land of the morning of calm. While we all know Jeju Island is visa-free for direct flights, the Embassy states that you can also stay for an extended amount of time in the rest of Korea if you are in between flights.
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According to their website, "tourists in transit to third countries" are permitted to stay without visas. These tourists must hold visas to at least one of the following: U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or one of 30 European countries (Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Rumania, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Estonia, United Kingdom, Austria, Italy, Czech, Cyprus, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary).
You can either be coming from or going to one of the countries mentioned. People who wish to stopover and enjoy a visa-free stay must "have a confirmed onward flight ticket for departure within 30 days after entering Korea."Â
Another way is to pass through the Incheon Aiport in Seoul and be part of the "Transit Tourism Program." That way, you can stay for up to 72 hours as a "General Transfer Passenger"—as long as you stay within the capital. Plus, if you're transferring to Jeju Island, then you can stay for up to 15 days. Don't forget to make sure you've got your transfer tickets and papers out the country ready!
Main image from Pixabay/SPOT Archives.
