Singaporeans who wish to visit South Korea on the highly anticipated VTL must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (known as a K-ETA) prior to departing for Seoul.
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| K-ETA Application |
K-ETA applications have finally gone live for Singaporeans, and can be done via the link above. Be sure to apply using the official website or app (Android | Apple); there are numerous look-alikes out there which charge even more (or steal your personal info, if you’re unlucky).
Details: K-ETA application
Singapore citizens must apply for a K-ETA at least 24 hours before boarding their flight to South Korea. Each traveller requires his or her own K-ETA (regardless of age), and the fee is 10,000 KRW (~S$11) per person.
Results will be received within 24 hours of application (typically within 30 minutes), and all fees are non-refundable even if the K-ETA application is denied.
| 👍 Exemption for APEC Business Travel Card |
| If you hold an APEC Business Travel Card, there is no need to apply for a K-ETA (or Visa for that matter) |
Each K-ETA is valid for two years from the date of approval; a new K-ETA must be obtained if there are changes to your passport details.
K-ETAs only cover activities permitted under a C-3 visa, e.g. tourism, business meetings, family visits, conferences and short-term study with a maximum stay of 90 days. Other types of visits require a visa.
You do not need a K-ETA if your plan is to take a direct flight to Jeju Island, but since that’s not possible at the moment, it’s a de facto requirement to enter Korea.
What about non-Singaporeans?
If you’re a non-Singaporean living in Singapore, you’re still eligible to travel to South Korea without quarantine provided you meet the conditions below:
- Fully vaccinated in Singapore with a WHO EUL vaccine at least 14 days before arrival in Korea (unless aged 5 and below)
- 14-day travel history features only Singapore/Korea
- Take a direct flight by Korean Air, Asiana Airlines or Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Korea
Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a K-ETA or Visa. Citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for K-ETA:
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Safe2GO portal
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| Safe2Go portal |
Before departing from Singapore to South Korea, travellers will need to book and pay for an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test via Safe2GO, conducted at Incheon Airport.
Safe2GO previously only allowed for the booking of pre-departure tests (i.e. flying out of Seoul). However, the portal has now been updated to allow the booking of on-arrival tests.
Based on the gate that Singapore Airlines flights use, the West test centre should be the most convenient.
The cost of an on-arrival test at Incheon Airport is 174,000 KRW (S$197) on weekdays and 180,000 KRW (S$204) on weekends or holidays (you need to add the RT-PCR, medical certificate and consultation charge below).
| PCR Test for Foreigners Residing Overseas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Test items | Weekdays | Weekend, Holiday, Weekdays (From 7am to 9am) |
| RT-PCR | 120K KRW | 120K KRW |
| RT-LAMP PCR | 120K KRW | 120K KRW |
| Antigen | 30K KRW | 30K KRW |
| Antibody | 50K KRW | 50K KRW |
| Medical certificate | 30K KRW | 30K KRW |
| Consultation charge | 24K KRW | 30K KRW |
After the test is completed, travellers must take a taxi or private-hire vehicle to their residence or accommodation while awaiting the results.
| ⚠️ No domestic travel until results are out! |
| Even if Seoul is not your intended destination, you will still need to self-isolate until your on-arrival test results are released. In other words, you can’t take a train/domestic flight straight after arrival. |
Results will be released according to the following schedule, via the Self-Check Mobile App. The timetable is somewhat not ideal for those taking SQ600, since you arrive at 3.30 p.m and basically lose the first day waiting for your results.
| Test Time | Result |
| 0700-0800 hrs | Same day by 1100 hrs |
| 0800-1000 hrs | Same day by 1300 hrs |
| 1000-1145 hrs | Same day by 1500 hrs |
| 1300-1400 hrs | Same day by 1700 hrs |
| 1400-1500 hrs | Same day by 1800 hrs |
| 1500-1800 hrs | Next day by 0800 hrs |
Once a negative result is received, travellers may resume regular activities. They will need to update their daily health status in the Self-Check Mobile App for the duration of their stay or 14 days, whichever is shorter.
Recap: Singapore- Korea VTL
To recap, here’s the main requirements for quarantine-free travel between Singapore and South Korea.
| ✈️ Summary: South Korea VTL |
| To South Korea 🇰🇷 |
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| To Singapore 🇸🇬 |
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| VTL FAQs |
| Summary: SG-ROK VTL |
For more information including flights, travel insurance options and post-arrival requirements, refer to the post below.
Conclusion
With K-ETA and Safe2GO bookings now open to Singaporeans, that’s two things you can tick off your pre-departure checklist for Seoul.
What’s still annoying is that numerous hotels are telling me that I need a negative on-arrival test result before I can check-in, which raises the question as to where a traveller from Singapore self-isolates while waiting for them! I’m seeking guidance from the Korean Tourism Board on this, and will pen an update if/when I hear anything.
Wait in hotel until PCR results are out! haha. Since it looks like its 3-4 hours only.
provided hotel allows you to wait. so far no hotels allow 🙁
What about just waiting in the airport itself?
Thanks for the comprehensive info here, milelion! Just applied for my K-ETA and it has been approved in 30 min 🙂
Hi Dee
How much was the visa fee deducted ?
Was the 3rd box of the credit card details enabled? Thanks
I think about $11 sgd? Ya I clicked the conversion to SGD
Close to $13.
Will APEC need to apply for K-ETA?
No
For the self-isolate hotel, my Korean counterpart is booking Metro Hotel Myeongdong (https://www.metrohotel.co.kr/) for 1st night before moving us to another hotel after negative result. Maybe can check out this hotel?
can someone pick me up at ICN instead of getting a taxi / private hire vehicle to get to the city?
as long as it’s a private car, sure.
Hi Aaron, do u know if we can rent a car instead of taking taxi?
Interesting, my Hotel never says need to wait for negative PCR before can check in.
Staying at Millenium Hilton…
my hotel didn’t say i needed to either (moxy insadong) until i called to ask…
strange, i’m going to stay at Conrad Seoul and they said i need that. same hilton family…
update: Conrad Seoul now says we can check in and stay in room until results are out
Thank you so much for the detailed information, Aaron. Just wondering why is there a need to add in medical certificate and consultation charge for the arrival test?
because the authorities say so 🙂
Now i booked both the pre departure and the arrival PCR.
Now left the 6/7 days PCR and also the 48 hours before returning PCR + Changi PCR.
The first two..sounds confusing
returning PCR will be changed to ART by the time Korea VTL kicks in. save $
Even if we take the SQ red eye flight and arrive 8am in the morning, it is also uncertain where we can isolate to wait for pcr result right? Cos usually hotels dun allow check in till pass noon time
Do we have to return to Incheon airport to collect our PCR results in paper pls?
Need some clarity on this too. But after reading through the FAQ on Safe2go, my guess is collection of test results in paper form are only for outbound passengers who need it for departure from Incheon Airport. Under the “Confirmation of Test Result” tab, there’s one about checking your Negative Test Result in the spam folder of your email. So seems like the arrival PCR test results will still be sent through email. Doesn’t make sense for everyone to crowd in Incheon just to collect a physical copy, then leave to wherever they need to go domestically. But that’s just… Read more »
Hey Aaron! What time do you think we should book the on site PCR test at the ICN airport? It seems like we will need to clear immigration then proceed to take the PCR test. Safe2go requires us to book a time slot so I was wondering what your thoughts are on the ideal slot to book. Assuming we are scheduled to land in ICN at 8.50am, what time would be ideal to book the test? Thanks!!!
It’s answered In the FAQ. – How could I choose PCR test time on booking procedure?
You can choose a time after your VTL flight ETA(Estimated Time Arrival) in Korean time.
In case of inevitable situations such as delaying flight, your arrival PCR test is possible even after the booking time.
so just book any time after your flight arrival
Hey guys! Anyone have a list of places that offer the test results in English? According to the SafeTravel website, the results of the pre-departure test from KR back to SG done within 48h of departure has to be in English or be accompanied by an English translation. MOH’s list here but no specifications as to which has English results available – https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/statistics/accreditation-bodies-for-covid-19-testing Requirement for English version here under Section G – https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist “☐ G) Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Test All travellers, except those aged two and below in this calendar year (i.e. a child who turns 2 in this calendar year will be… Read more »
Riding on this thread, can I also assume and ask if we are allowed to do the pre-departure test at other testing facilities other than the one at the airport that is suggested on the safe2Go website? Might not make sense to travel to the airport 48 hours before departure just to take a test and head back to the city for the next 2 days.. Am also wondering if there are any restrictions that forbid us to use the same test results for the >=8 days requirement by the Korean government as a pre-departure test before coming back to… Read more »
you can refer to below link for the list of MOH approved medical institution in Seoul for the PDT, just need to ensure they can provide the certificate in English.
https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/statistics/accreditation-bodies-for-covid-19-testing
Maybe get the PCR done. Then use Google translate for a live translation into English. I wonder whether that will work at check in for the flight back to SG.
note, by the time Korea VTL is open, PCR test at kor before flying back to sin would be changed to ART
Hi guys, after booking the safe2go test, there is this fine print at the bottom of the confirmation email: “Travellers staying more than 8 days must undergo post-arrival COVID19 PCR tests on Day 6 or 7. (E.g. Travellers entering ROK on 1 Nov. and departing on 8 Nov. must take COVID19 PCR test either on 6 or 7 Nov.)” Some issues: 1. The safe2go website counts arrival day as Day 1 instead of Day 0, unlike what is claimed by some of our local agencies (ICA?). 2. As some of us are going by scoot (Mon to Mon), we may… Read more »
same question in my mind. lol
update. Korean Embassy replied and confirmed..the day you land is Day 0.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Arrival day is day 0.
Thank you and best regards,
Consular Section | Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Tel: (65) 6256-1188 | Fax: (65) 6258-3302
47 Scotts Road, Goldbell Towers #16-03/04, Singapore 228233
Hi Aaron,
I had booked my flight to Korea from 24Nov and coming back on 1 Dec, do I still need to take the day6/7 PCR test in Korea? With the new regulations that we only need ART test for pre departure .
taking sq600 (arrive 1530) also, and booked a room at moxy seoul insadong (marriott bonvoy) – same issue: they need us to present negative on arrival test before check in. seriously wonder where i’m going to self isolate and sleep on the first night
Even if I manage to find a hotel that accepts us to self isolate until negative PCR is out, it seems like the hotels also require certification of quarantine exemption… which travellers under VTL don’t get.
Recovered person can travel vtl to kr?
Recovered person can go?
“Who is NOT be eligible to enter Korea via VTL
1. Individuals who recovered from COVID-19 infection and inoculated with one single dose of COVID-19 vaccine.”
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/sg-en/brd/m_2435/view.do?seq=761362
3. Individuals who are fully vaccinated in Singapore and have recovered from COVID-19 infection*.
*Individual may still test positive even though he/she has recovered.
Hello!good morning.Thank you milelion for the info.I would like also to seek for any advice coz as of now i am here in hongkong,is it possible for me that from here in hk i’ll take a tour to singapore and from singapore can i travel to korea?thank you
I tried to apply for the KTA with an australian passport but it doesnt allow me to do so even though i live in singapore. Do you know if the VTL is only restricted to certain nationalities even though they are residing in Singapore?
What card should we use to get 4mpd for k-eta and safe2go booking?