Transit Visa Requirements At Incheon Airport: What You Need To Know

If you're transiting through Incheon Airport, you may be able to do so without a visa. According to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore, all nationalities except Egypt, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen can transit through Incheon Airport without a visa if they do not clear immigration. However, for Indian nationals, there is a special provision that allows a visa on arrival when transiting through the Republic of Korea en route to specific countries or returning to India from specific countries, subject to certain conditions. The Republic of Korea also offers a C-3-10 Direct Airside Transit Visa for Egyptian, Sudanese, Syrian, and Yemeni citizens who will be transiting through Korea without clearing immigration at Incheon Airport. It's important to note that this visa does not permit entry into Korea. For Uzbek citizens, a transit visa is not required for stays of less than 24 hours. Additionally, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago mentions that visa-free entry is available for transfer passengers under certain conditions.

Transit without a visa for up to 30 days if travelling to/from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and 32 European countries

If you are transiting through Incheon International Airport in South Korea, you may be able to do so without a visa. In general, travellers in transit through South Korea do not require a visa if they are transiting through Incheon Airport for less than 24 hours, or through any other airport on the same calendar day, as long as they remain in the transit area.

However, there are some exceptions and additional requirements to be aware of. If you are a citizen of a country that is eligible for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), you must obtain this before your departure to South Korea. Additionally, if you are a US visa holder, you may be eligible for a transit visa stamp that is valid for 30 days. This may allow you to leave the airport during your layover.

It is important to note that if you have a self-transfer, where you need to collect your luggage and check in again, you will likely need a transit visa, unless you are exempt.

Incheon Airport also offers a Transit Tour program, which allows passengers from visa-exempt countries to join a transit tour group within Seoul without a visa. This tour can be joined if you have less than 24 hours of layover time and have the required documents, including your passport and arrival and departure boarding passes.

It is always recommended to check with the relevant embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding transit visas.

Transit without a visa for up to 3 days if travelling to/from any country

If you are transiting through Incheon International Airport, you may be able to do so without a visa for up to 24 hours. This is providing you meet certain conditions, such as holding a visa for specific countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or one of 32 European countries. This is known as the Transit Tour Program, and you can join an organised tour group within Seoul. The service is free, but there is an entry procedure fee of 10,000 KRW or 10 USD. Tours can be registered for in advance or upon arrival, with the shortest tour lasting one hour and the longest no longer than five hours.

Incheon Airport also offers a Transit Tour Information Desk, where you can find out more about the Transit Tour Program. The desk can be found on the 1st floor after immigration clearance, between Exit 1 and 2, at desk number 19 or 20. There are also information desks on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of the airport.

It is important to note that citizens of certain countries are not eligible for this service, and it is always best to check with the relevant Embassy or Consulate before travelling.

In general, travellers transiting through South Korea for less than 24 hours at Incheon Airport, or when departing on the same calendar day from other airports, do not require a visa. However, they must remain within the transit area.

Transit without a visa if you hold a US visa and are travelling to the US

In general, travellers in transit through South Korea do not need a visa if they are staying for less than 24 hours (for Incheon Airport) or when departing on the same calendar day (for all other airports) as long as they remain in the transit area.

However, there is an exemption for those holding a US visa and travelling to the US. If you are transiting in South Korea on your way to the US, you do not need to apply for a separate Korean Transit Visa. This is the case even if you have separate tickets for each flight and are self-transferring luggage.

To be eligible for this exemption, you must hold a valid US visa and be travelling to the US. You must also have a layover of less than 24 hours. If you wish to leave the airport during your layover, you can obtain a transit visa stamp that is valid for 30 days.

It is always best to check with the relevant Embassy or Consulate to ensure you have the correct visa requirements for your trip.

Transit without a visa if you are a Filipino

Incheon International Airport offers free transit tours within Seoul for travellers who are connecting to a third country. This means that Filipino travellers heading to the US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand via South Korea can join these tours without a visa. However, there are certain conditions that must be met to be eligible for this visa exemption.

Conditions for Visa Exemption

• You must hold a valid visa for the US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
• Your layover in Incheon must be under 24 hours.
• You will need to present your passport and both arrival and departure boarding passes.
• You must register for the transit tour at the airport. The registration desk can be found in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
• Korea Immigration does not allow multiple entries during a single trip to Korea.

Other Visa-Exempt Countries

Filipino citizens can also transit through the following countries without a visa:

• China: Visa-free entry is allowed for up to 24 hours when connecting through an international aircraft, ship, or train. However, you can only transit within mainland China once during your trip, and your next flight must be to a different country or territory.
• Australia: A transit visa is required but can be obtained free of charge if your layover is at least eight hours. The visa is valid for tourism or leisure for up to three days.
• United Arab Emirates (Dubai): A transit visa is not required if you do not intend to pass through immigration control to retrieve luggage or go outside the terminal building. If you do need to clear immigration, a 96-hour transit visa can be obtained on arrival, provided you meet certain conditions.
• Ethiopia: Free transit is allowed if your layover is at least eight hours, and a free hotel, transportation, and meals are provided if you book with Ethiopian Airlines.

Transit without a visa if you are a citizen of certain countries

In general, travellers in transit do not require a visa to transit through Incheon Airport in South Korea for less than 24 hours, as long as they stay within the transit area. However, citizens of certain countries are required to obtain a C-3-10 Direct Airside Transit Visa if they will be clearing immigration at Incheon Airport. This includes citizens of Egypt, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. All other nationalities, excluding the aforementioned countries, may transit through Incheon Airport without a visa as long as they do not clear immigration.

If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you may be eligible for the Transit Tour Program, which allows travellers with a layover of under 24 hours to join a transit tour group within Seoul:

• United States (including Guam and Saipan)
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• One of the 32 European countries

Please note that there may be additional requirements or restrictions for specific countries, so it is always best to check with the appropriate embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding transit visas in South Korea.

Frequently asked questions