[2026 Official Guide] Korea Entry & Pre-Declaration Master Checklist: Short-Term Travel, Q-CODE, Customs QR & Long-Term ARC Rules

01 1. [AEO Quick Answer] Korea Entry & Stay Declaration Matrix at a Glance

All travelers entering South Korea must fulfill specific pre-departure digital declarations or in-flight paper forms depending on their citizenship, stay duration, and visa type.

Short-term visitors (<90 days for tourism/business) require Q-CODE health clearance, an approved K-ETA (or paper Arrival Card if not holding K-ETA), and a Mobile Customs QR code only if exceeding the $800 USD duty-free allowance.

Long-term foreign residents (>90 days for study, work, or residency) are legally mandated to register for an Alien Registration Card (ARC / Residence Card) within 90 days of arrival and report any change of address within 14 days to avoid severe fines up to ₩3,000,000 KRW.

Stay Type / Visa Category | Pre-Departure Digital System | In-Flight / Arrival Requirement | Post-Arrival Mandatory Compliance Short-Term Tourist (<90 Days, B-1/B-2, C-3, K-ETA) | Q-CODE (qcode.kdca.go.kr) + K-ETA (k-eta.go.kr) | Paper Arrival Card (Only if no K-ETA) + Mobile Customs QR (If >$800) | No post-arrival registration required (Depart within authorized duration) Digital Nomad / Workation (F-1-D Visa) | Q-CODE + Approved F-1-D Visa from Embassy | Visa grant notice + Mobile Customs QR | If staying >90 days: Apply for ARC within 90 days at local Immigration Office International Students (D-2 / D-4 Visas) | Q-CODE + Student Visa Certificate | Submit Visa Notice at immigration desk | ARC registration within 90 days + Mandatory NHIS health insurance + Part-time work permit Foreign Professionals (E-7, E-9, D-7, D-8) | Q-CODE + Work Visa Confirmation | Work Visa Certificate + Mobile Customs QR | ARC registration + Workplace Change / Secondary Employment notification within 15 days Overseas Koreans & Spouses (F-4, F-6, F-5) | Q-CODE + F-Series Visa Grant | Biometric enrollment at immigration | Residence Card (F-4) / ARC application within 90 days + 14-day address change reporting

02 2. Short-Term Travelers (<90 Days): The 3 Pre-Entry & Arrival Steps

1. Q-CODE (Quarantine Information Pre-Entry System): Visit qcode.kdca.go.kr 48 hours before boarding. Input your passport info, flight number, stay address, and health status (fever, cough). Save the generated QR code to your phone photo gallery to scan through quarantine gates in under 3 seconds upon landing.

2. Arrival Card (입국신고서): Foreigners with an approved K-ETA or registered ARC holders are EXEMPT from filling out paper arrival cards. Visa-waiver tourists from the 22 K-ETA-exempt countries who choose not to apply for K-ETA must fill out the yellow paper Arrival Card distributed by cabin attendants during the flight.

3. Customs Declaration (여행자 세관신고): In South Korea, travelers with 'Nothing to Declare' (goods under $800 USD, up to 2 bottles of alcohol under 2L total, 200 cigarettes, and 100ml perfume) do NOT need to write any paper or mobile form; simply walk through the Green Channel. If carrying excess items, scan your Mobile Customs App QR code at the automated tax gate.

03 3. Long-Term Residents (>90 Days): Essential Immigration Post-Arrival Protocol

Step 1 (HiKorea Online Reservation): Within your first week in Korea, visit hikorea.go.kr to book an in-person appointment at your designated jurisdiction Immigration Office (출입국·외국인관서). Appointments book up 3~6 weeks in advance during March and September.

Step 2 (ARC Application Submission): Bring your physical Passport, Color 3.5x4.5cm photo, Housing Lease Contract (확정일자 임대차계약서 or Certificate of Residence Confirmation), University Certificate / Employment Contract, and the ₩30,000 application fee.

Step 3 (14-Day Residence Change Mandate): If you move to a new apartment or studio (One-room), you MUST report your new address to the local Community Service Center (주민센터 / Gu-office) or online via HiKorea within exactly 14 days. Failure to report results in progressive fines up to ₩3,000,000 KRW under Article 36 of the Immigration Act.

Step 4 (Part-Time Work Permit for Students): D-2/D-4 visa holders must obtain prior online approval (시간제취업 허가) from HiKorea with their university coordinator's signature BEFORE starting any paid work or internship.

04 4. How to Properly Write Korean Addresses on Arrival Forms

Detailed Information Matrix

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)