Travel Smarter

How to visit South Korea via VTL - without quarantine

Be Travel-Ready: 5 Tips for Safer Trips During the Covid Recovery

The VTL (vaccinated travel lane) scheme makes it possible for eligible Singaporean passport holders to visit South Korea without quarantine.

With bustling cities like Seoul and Incheon, fascinating historic sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace, and beautiful natural attractions like the island of Udo and Haeundae Beach, there's lots for Singaporeans to enjoy in this unique East Asian country.

Disclaimer^: Entry requirements can change at short notice. Every effort was made to ensure the information below was correct at time of writing. However, you should refer to the applicable immigration department of the destination country to double check entry requirements, or visit the MFA website for the latest updates.

^at time writing of this article – 18/01/2022

If you bought a ticket to South Korea between 29 December 2021, 0000hrs and 20 January 2022, 2359hrs (KST), you can't make use of the VTL scheme and would need to be quarantined for 10 days.

If you bought a ticket to South Korea on or before 28 December, you can still use VTL and will not need to be quarantined.

The above change was made in response to the Omicron variant.

●       Passport with at least 6 months’ validity

●       Valid K-ETA

●       Vaccination certificate with QR code obtained from Notarise

●       Pre-departure PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure

●       On arrival COVID-19 test booking confirmation

●       Physical copy of travel insurance with minimum 30 million won (approximately SGD 34,000) for COVID-19 related medical/treatment/hospital expenses.

You will need to be vaccinated with a WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) COVID-19 vaccine. This is considered valid for six months from the second dose. However, there is no expiration date if you have had a booster shot (third shot).

Those whose second dose was taken more than six months ago (and who have not had a third booster shot) will not be allowed to visit certain public areas, including restaurants.

It is therefore highly advisable to ensure you have had your booster shot before planning a trip to South Korea.

You will need to have had at least one dose taken in Singapore at least two weeks before arrival in South Korea. Vaccination proof (QR code) must be obtained from Notarise.

Disclaimer^: Entry requirements can change at short notice. Every effort was made to ensure the information below was correct at time of writing. However, you should refer to the applicable immigration department of the destination country to double check entry requirements, or visit the MySafeTravel website for the latest updates. 

^at time writing of this article – 17/01/2022

Yes, you must have been in Singapore for at least 14 days before travelling to South Korea.

You must apply for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter South Korea.

K-ETAs are available to Singaporeans and allow visits of up to 90 days. They are valid for 2 years once issued. The K-ETA is for citizens of countries listed under the visa waiver scheme.

K-ETAs are much simpler to obtain than regular visas. 

You must purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30 million won (about  SGD 34,000) to cover any Covid-19 related medical costs. You must carry a physical copy of the policy with you.

With Allianz Travel Singapore insurance, cover includes selected Covid-19 coverage* which far exceeds the minimum above, plus cover for epidemics and pandemics in general (when diagnosed with a disease). Medical and Dental cover limit is S$1,000,000 (Comprehensive Bronze and Silver) and unlimited** for Comprehensive Platinum.

Benefits of Allianz Travel Insurance:

●       Selected Covid-19, pandemic and epidemic cover*

●       Medical/dental cover of up to $1,000,000* (unlimited** with Comprehensive Platinum)

●       24/7 Medical Assistance

●       Cancellation, Delay, Curtailment

●       Loss/theft/damage of valuables

●       Rental Excess cover (Silver & Platinum Plans only)

*Subject to terms and conditions and exclusions outlined in Allianz Travel Policy Wording
**Unlimited - Where used, the term ‘Unlimited’ means there is no capped dollar amount. Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply as set out in the Policy Wording. All costs and expenses claimed must be necessary and reasonable. Subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and benefits limits of the policy wording. For more information please click on the Policy Wording to read the Allianz Travel Policy Wording.  

Pre-departure test: within 48 hours prior to departure from Singapore.

Upon arrival: Test to be taken at Incheon Airport. Must be pre booked at Safe2GoPass. You must isolate yourself at your hotel until you get the result.

Day 6 and 7: These tests must be taken if you're staying in Korea for more than 8 days.

Additional Antigen Rapid Tests (ARTs)

You must also take Antigen Rapid Tests (ARTs) on day 3 and day 5. These are self administered.

You can download the Self-Check app here

Disclaimer^: Entry requirements can change at short notice. Every effort was made to ensure the information below was correct at time of writing. However, you should refer to the applicable immigration department of the destination country to double check entry requirements, or visit the MySafeTravel website for the latest updates. 

^at time writing of this article – 18/02/2022

With Allianz Travel Singapore insurance, cover includes selected Covid-19 coverage* plus cover for epidemics and pandemics in general (when diagnosed with a disease). Medical and Dental cover limit is S$1,000,000* (Comprehensive Bronze and Silver) and unlimited** for Comprehensive Platinum.

●       24/7 Medical Assistance

●       Cancellation, Delay, Curtailment

●       Loss/theft/damage of valuables

●       Rental Excess cover (Silver & Platinum Plans only)

*Subject to terms and conditions and exclusions outlined in Allianz Travel Policy Wording
**Unlimited - Where used, the term ‘Unlimited’ means there is no capped dollar amount. Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply as set out in the Policy Wording. All costs and expenses claimed must be necessary and reasonable. Subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and benefits limits of the policy wording. For more information please click on the Policy Wording to read the Allianz Travel Policy Wording.  
You can choose from three policy types: Single Trip for a one-off visit; Annual - if you plan to travel overseas more often in the next 12 months; and Family, which covers you and family members you're travelling with.
Blog Disclaimer
All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The content of this blog neither makes representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site, nor is construed as Allianz Travel's offering of travel insurance, unless explicitly stated. Details of benefits, limits, policy exclusions, terms and conditions of Allianz Travel insurance can be found under Allianz Travel Policy Wording.
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5Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Singapore Branch is the insurer and Allianz Care is the administrator. Whenever we use the terms “we”, “us” and “our” in the pages dedicated to the international health insurance we offer, it will refer to both entities.

The insurer is Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE Singapore Branch, address 79 Robinson Road, #09-01 068897, Singapore. Company Registration No. T11FC0131K. This policy is supported by AWP Health & Life SA, trading as Allianz Care, a limited company governed by the French Insurance Code and acting through its Irish Branch. Part of the Allianz Group, AWP Health & Life SA is registered in France: No. 401 154 679 RCS Bobigny. Irish Branch is registered in the Irish Companies Registration Office, registered No.: 907619, address: 15 Joyce Way, Park West Business Campus, Nangor Road, Dublin 12, Ireland. AWP Health & Life SA provides administration services and technical support for the policy. Allianz Care and Allianz Partners are registered business names of AWP Health & Life SA.

About Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) is a leading global corporate insurance carrier and a key business unit of Allianz Group. We provide risk consultancy, property-casualty insurance solutions and alternative risk transfer for a wide spectrum of commercial, corporate and specialty risks across 10 dedicated lines of business. Worldwide, AGCS operates with its own teams in 32 countries and through the Allianz Group network and partners in over 200 countries and territories, employing over 4,450 people. As one of the largest Property-Casualty units of Allianz Group, we are backed by strong and stable financial ratings. In 2019, AGCS generated a total of €9.1 billion gross premium globally. For more information, please visit https://www.agcs.allianz.com/ or follow us on Twitter @AGCS_Insurance and LinkedIn.

About Allianz Care

Allianz Care provides international health, life and disability cover and services to a wide range of customers, including multinational companies, intergovernmental organisations and private individuals and families. Our mission is to ensure that customers have access to quality healthcare through our support, care and commitment to go the extra mile. We are a truly global health partner ensuring fast and simple access to the best advice, treatment and value for our customers. Allianz Care is the international health brand of Allianz Partners. For additional information, please visit www.allianzcare.com or connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.