Understanding South Korea’s Re-entry Permit Exemption
South Korea’s Re-Entry Permit Exemption, suspended on June 1, 2020 as part of COVID-19 protocols, was reinstated on April 1, 2022 and remains in force today. Registered foreign residents who fall within the exemption may leave and return to the Republic of Korea (ROK) without applying for a re-entry permit in advance, provided they come back within the applicable period. Pureum Law Office is here to help you understand the latest regulations related with the re-entry permit exemption.
Who is Exempted from Re-entry Permit
Under Article 44-2 of the Enforcement Regulation of the Immigration Act, and as confirmed by current Korean Immigration guidance, registered foreigners holding status from Diplomat (A-1) through Dependent Family (F-3), and from Marriage Migrant (F-6) through Working Visit (H-2), are exempt from the re-entry permit if they re-enter the ROK within one year from the date of departure. Because these are ranges rather than a short list, the exemption in practice covers most long-term statuses — including D-2, D-7, D-8, D-9, E-7, E-9, F-1 and F-2. Where the remaining period of stay is shorter than one year, re-entry is allowed only up to the end of that period of stay.
F-5 Korean Permanent Residents and F-4 Overseas Koreans
F-5 permanent residents can re-enter within two years from the date of departure. F-4 overseas Koreans are separately exempt and may depart and return at any time within their authorized period of stay.
Persons holding refugee travel documents can re-enter until the expiry date of that document.
Nationals of 13 countries that have concluded re-entry permit exemption arrangements with Korea may also re-enter within their authorized period of stay: the Republic of Suriname, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, Finland, and Chile. For Chilean nationals, the exemption is limited to holders of D-7, D-8, or D-9 status. Because Korean Immigration’s current published summary of exemptions lists only registered foreigners, F-5, F-4, and refugee travel document holders, we recommend confirming the country-based exemption with the competent immigration office before relying on it.
Multiple Re-Entry Permit for The Republic of Korea
Registered foreigners who are otherwise exempt from Korea’s re-entry permit must apply for a multiple re-entry permit if they intend to stay outside the ROK for more than one year (and up to two years) from the date of departure before returning. A multiple re-entry permit is generally granted for up to two years, with the following exceptions: holders of Corporate Investment (D-8) status and Long-Term Resident Large Investor (F-2-5) status may be granted up to three years, and A-1 to A-3 status holders with single-entry visas may be granted a permit through the end of their official posting. A single re-entry permit, by contrast, allows one re-entry and is granted for up to one year, within the limits of the holder’s period of stay and passport validity.
Applications can be filed at the immigration office having jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of stay, through an authorized agent, or via the HiKorea e-Application service. Offices with jurisdiction over the place of stay can issue either single or multiple permits; airport offices in principle issue single permits only, although D-8 and F-6 holders may obtain a multiple permit there.
If a foreign resident departs without a re-entry permit and cannot return within the exemption period due to illness or another unavoidable reason, a re-entry permit must be obtained from the Korean diplomatic mission in the country where they are located. An exemption period may also be extended, in increments of up to three months at a time, within the limits of the authorized period of stay, with the application filed before the exemption or permit period expires.
Documents and Fees – Korean Immigration
Applicants for a Korean re-entry permit need to submit their passport, foreign resident registration card(formerly known as an Alien Registration Card [ARC], now issued in English as a Residence Card and also available in mobile form), and the integrated application form. Applicants holding A-1, A-2, or A-3 status must additionally submit one document confirming their dates of incumbency — e.g. a diplomatic ID card, an official letter of cooperation from their embassy, or an employment certificate.
The fee is KRW 30,000 for a single re-entry permit and KRW 50,000 for a multiple re-entry permit, with a 20% reduction where the application is filed online through HiKorea. Certain applicants are exempt from the fee altogether, including holders of A-1, A-2, A-3, and D-8 status; nationals of Taiwan and Tunisia and Argentine nationals under 14; and government-sponsored scholarship students in D-1, D-2, or D-4 status who submit the prescribed certificate or whose institution requests a fee waiver. More information is available from KLRI regarding the Enforcement Regulation of the Immigration Act, Arts. 72 and 72-2
Post-COVID Entry Requirements
All COVID-19 related entry measures have been lifted. Mandatory quarantine for arrivals were lifted by South Korea’s Ministry of Health & Welfare on June 8, 2022, the pre-departure PCR test requirement ended on September 3, 2022, and the post-arrival PCR test requirement ended on October 1, 2022. Arriving passengers are no longer required to submit vaccination records or quarantine on the basis of vaccination status.
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