Hong Kong and BN(O) passport holders can travel to South Korea visa-free again after restrictions eased, while city logs 1,198 Covid cases
- From July 1 travellers will only need to apply for electronic travel authorisation and obtain approval 72 hours before boarding
- New relaxed entry rules apply to short-term trips such as tourism, business meetings and family visits
South Korea is set to resume visa-free travel for Hong Kong residents starting on July 1, Seoul’s consulate has announced.
The country is the latest after Japan to open its doors to Hong Kong residents in the past month, but they still have to undergo a seven-day compulsory quarantine upon returning to the city.
Hong Kong is among the more than 100 destinations granted visa-free travel to South Korea, but such access remains suspended for visitors from cities including Macau and Taiwan. China’s status was not mentioned.
At present, a pre-departure negative Covid-19 test is required for all travellers to South Korea over six years old regardless of vaccination status. They have to conduct a supervised rapid antigen test at a clinic or hospital within 24 hours or a polymerase chain reaction test within two days ahead of departure.
Holders of both Hong Kong SAR and the British National Overseas passports, now derecognised by the city government, can enter the country without a visa for short-term trips such as tourism, business meetings and family visits, according to a notice issued on Monday.
But travellers will still need to apply for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) and obtain approval at least 72 hours before boarding a plane or ship bound for the country.
Applicants need to provide a valid passport, an email address, a headshot image and pay a 10,000 won (HK$60) fee in order to apply for the K-ETA, which is valid for multiple trips within two years from the approval date.
