Entry Requirements
Passports
First things first! You will need a passport that doesn’t expire too soon, at a minimum it should last for 6 months after your anticipated departure date. Apply or renew now if you need to!
Visas and Permits to Stay
As mentioned on the U.S. State Department website, US passport holders do not need to obtain a visa prior to arrival in Korea, if their stay is under 90 days. When you arrive in Korea & when you are completing the immigration paperwork on the plane, you should list “Tourism” as your purpose of travel to Korea.
The maximum duration of permitted stay as a tourist is 90 days, so students staying in South Korea for a semester or program will need to obtain a D-2 Study Visa.
You will be eligible to apply for this visa only after you have been accepted into Sogang University. Your Program Enrollment Coordinator will send you the acceptance paperwork, for you to submit with your D-2 Study Visa application. Please follow the South Korea Visa Guidelines to contact your nearest consulate, and speak to your Program Coordinator if you have additional questions!
For traveling outside of South Korea during your program: It is VERY important to research whether or not you will need a tourist visa in order to enter another country on a weekend trip, such as Japan or China. This information can be found on the U.S. State Department website, by clicking “international travel” and “country information”, then selecting the country you plan to visit. Even if you do not require a tourist visa for that country, you may be asked to show proof of purchase of flights back to the US, as proof of intent to leave the country and not overstay any visas. In this case, be prepared to show a screenshot receipt of your flight home.
Covid-19 Policies
Covid testing: According to the United States Embassy website, a Covid test is not required for international travelers to enter South Korea. Before entering the country, however, you will have to enter your Covid-19 vaccination history through Korea's Q-Code system. The Q-Code will give you a personalized QR code that will be scanned upon landing at the airport. You will upload the necessary health information which will be scanned upon entry. You can forgo this option, but using the Q-Code system will make your entry much smoother.
If you do find that you are experiencing symptoms of Covid, you must test for Covid for a fee. A positive test may result in quarantine for a period of 7 days. You can find more information on the U.S. Embassy in Korea website as well as the Incheon Airport website.
Traveling with Medications
Ensure that you speak with your doctor and insurance company before leaving. It is important that they are aware of your travel dates so that you can plan the best way to have your prescription while abroad. A three-month supply of medication for personal use will be permitted in South Korea at a time. You must bring the original prescriptions in the original containers, a letter from your doctor explaining the need for the medication, and what condition it is for. Further information can be found on the U.S. Embassy in South Korea website.
- Any and all narcotics are absolutely not permitted in South Korea.