Korea Reopens Completely for Visa-Free Travel

Korea's visa-free entry procedures return completely to normal on Nov. 1 as the country lifts nominal restrictions for eight remaining countries. 

The eight countries are Japan, Macau, Taiwan and five Pacific island countries -- Kiribati, Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga. 

Korea allowed visa-free entry for visitors from 112 countries before the coronavirus pandemic, but the waiver was suspended for 91 of them after the pandemic. All the countries affected except the eight have since qualified again under the principle of reciprocity. 

But the actual effect will be minimal since Japanese, Macanese and Taiwanese people have already been able to come here since August under a temporary visa waiver for the summer holidays that was later extended to October.

Making the arrangement permanent was only a formality because the eight countries only resumed visa-free entry for Koreans recently.  

Cruise ship passengers can also disembark freely from Oct. 24 for the first time in two years and eight months since it was banned to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 

But crew and passengers must put face masks on in public areas and dining rooms on the ship under Korean quarantine rules. If any of them test positive for COVID or have a fever, they will not be allowed to disembark.