With the recent surge in the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in Korea, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that it will strengthen PCR testing for inbound travelers from July 25.
So, ESL Consulting would like to inform you about the PCR test for foreigners as announced by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency!
Regardless of whether or not you have been vaccinated, you must obtain a negative confirmation of a PCR test or a professional antigen test (RAT) before entering Korea. (*1)
After you arrive in Korea, you must bring your passport and flight ticket for the PCR test within 1 day, and you will receive the result within 1 to 2 days.
The first PCR test can be done at a public health center or a temporary screening clinic.
You can test for free and it is open until 18:00 on weekdays, so you can check the available time through the website (*1) (https://www.mohw.go.kr/react/popup_200128_5.html).
Secondly, you can proceed with the inspection immediately after entering the country at Incheon Airport.
There are two on the east and west side of each passenger terminal, and the operating hours are from 07-18 o’clock for departure inspection / from 07 to 21:00 for immigration inspection, and the Immigration Inspection Center on the east side of Passenger Terminal 2 is open 24 hours. You can make a reservation on the Incheon Airport website and pay a fee to get the test. Do note that only foreigners with short-term visas(Stay in South Korea for up to 3 months) can get tested for free upon arrival at the Incheon airport.
(*2) (https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/medical/medical.do#)
Thirdly, PCR testing for overseas entrants is possible even at a hospital near your home.
You can access the website of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, search for a hospital near your house, make a reservation for the available time, and pay a fee for the test. (*1)
Reference
*1) https://www.mohw.go.kr/react/popup_200128_5.html
*2) https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/medical/medical.do#