Calling all Koreaboos and travel-seekers! Starting June 1, Philippine passport holders will be allowed to enter Korea through Jeju Island and Yangyang international airports without having the need to apply for a Korean visa. Travel to these two areas will be possible through chartered flights of several airlines.
This was announced during the Korean Travel Organization (KTO) Manila Office’s Korea MICE Con Cebu 2022—the first-ever in Cebu—which was held at the Radisson Blu Cebu on May 19.
Over 115 representatives from different Philippine corporations and Cebu-based travel agencies gathered together to find out through the KTO what Korea has in store for those of us just itching to visit the beautiful country.
So, what does this year’s Korea MICE Con mean for the rest of us?
It means that flights to Korea may open up sooner than we think!
Now, our biggest question is: What will it take for us to visit Korea?
According to the KTO, starting June 1, the following will be required before entering Korea’s two visa-free areas, so don’t forget to add these to your travel checklist!
A negative RT-PCR Test result
Passengers must submit a negative Covid-19 Test (RT-PCR) result from any Department of Health-accredited laboratories valid within 48 hours before flight departure time. The certificate must have the passenger’s name, birthday, test method, test date, test result, result date, the name of the testing center and clear indication of a negative test result. Travelers cannot board the plane without this document.
Full vaccination
Those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be exempted from self-quarantine upon arrival in Korea. To be considered fully vaccinated individuals, you have to have recieved at least two doses of Covid-19 vaccines two weeks earlier and less than 180 days prior to travel date. Vaccination status will be invalid if the second dose exceeds 180 days prior to travel.
Q-code
This is a convenient system established by the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) in order to shorten the time for the quarantine inspection required upon entry in the Republic of Korea. Those who have completed overseas vaccinations and have not registered their overseas vaccination history with the Korean Public Health Center will be exempted from quarantine if they use the Q-code to enter.
Another thing to note is that all travelers may be required to take a PCR test within 24 hours after arriving in Korea, and must also take a Rapid Antigen Test on their sixth or seventh day in the country.
These, of course, may still be subject to change depending on the Korean government and the status of the ongoing pandemic.
Pre-pandemic, Korea contributed 1.98 million tourist arrivals to the Philippines in 2019, while 503,000 Filipino tourists traveled to South Korea.
The Director of KTO Manila, Hyung Joon Kim, expressed his hope that the 2022 Korea MICE Con Cebu conference would inspire and encourage everyone to travel to Korea.
“It feels like Korean travel begins again. Korea will also be ready to welcome the friendly, smiling and kind Filipino tourists,” he said.
The KTO Manila Office provides updates and information for Filipinos to have a great experience and make the most out of their trip to Korea. This year also marks KTO’s 10th year of promoting Korea to Philippine travelers.