ROK GOVERNMENT'S TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF WAIVER OF RE-ENTRY PERMITS FOR LONG-TERM VISA HOLDERS

Under the new measure, all foreigners residing in the ROK with long-term visas, must apply for a Re-Entry Permit through a local immigration office before leaving the ROK if they wish to maintain their status and period of stay. Leaving the ROK without a Re-Entry Permit will result in the cancellation of their Alien Registration and they will be required to obtain a new long-term visa to re-enter.

Furthermore, all foreigners granted with a Re-Entry Permit and who wish to re-enter the ROK must undergo a medical examination not earlier than 48 hours prior to the date of departure and are required to submit a written diagnosis (in English or Korean, signed by a medical examiner from an authorized medical institution certifying the presence or absence of symptoms of COVID-19) when requested by authorities. Foreigners with Isolation Exemption Certificate issued by a Korean Embassy or Consulate are exempted from the medical examination and the obligation to submit a written diagnosis.

The new measure will take effect on 01 June 2020 and will remain in effect until further notice. It, however, will not apply to foreigners who travel out of the ROK before 01 June 2020. END