Last updated 2022.02.09
Incheon Airport: Government Quarantine
All grantees will arrive through Incheon International Airport, which is about 40 miles west of Seoul. For those quarantining in Korean government facilities, the following information regarding entry procedures is provided as a general reference. This information is from a combination of web sources as well as from personal experiences. However, please note that you will you need to remain flexible and patient as entry procedures are subject to change with little to no advance notice. Please follow all airport/government official instructions accordingly and keep KAEC updated as to your progress.
Making a Reservation in Government Facilities: Holders of long-term Korean visas, such as the A-3-99 visa, must make a reservation in advance if they wish to quarantine in government quarantine facilities, as opposed to self-quarantining at an independent residence. Local health offices in Seoul are responsible for collecting reservation information from individuals who live/plan to live in their district of jurisdiction. The following documents must be submitted to an individual's local health office in order to make a reservation:
KAEC will assist grantees quarantining in government facilities with the advance submission of required documentation. The reservation will be made prior to the grantee's departure from the U.S.
Pre-boarding: Effective January 20, 2022, all entrants to Korea over the age of 6 (as of the entry date) are required to provide negative COVID-19 test results from a PCR test performed within 48 hours before the departure date (e.g., for a flight departing August 10, the test must be performed on or after August 8). Test results must be written in English or in Korean. For more information on this requirement, see the website of the Embassy of the ROK in the United States.
Test results must be presented in the U.S. prior to boarding your flight for Korea. Depending on the airport, your negative test results may be confirmed when initially checking in/checking your bags and/or when boarding your flight. Prior to boarding your flight, your temperature will also be checked.
When initially checking in, you may be able to inquire about changing your seat so as to sit as far away from others as possible. Flights tend to be emptier than they would have been in pre-pandemic days, providing more room for safety and comfort.
Either prior to boarding or shortly after you are seated in your flight, you will receive two different forms, a Health Declaration form for reporting symptoms and a Travel Record Declaration for reporting travel history. These will be collected upon your arrival in Korea, so please fill them out on the plane.
In-flight: On the plane, you will also be given the standard Traveler Declaration Form and Arrival Card to fill out (examples can be found by clicking here.) To complete these forms, put the following:
Upon Arrival at the Airport:
Quarantine Desk: Upon arrival, you will submit your Health Declaration and Travel Record Declaration to a quarantine officer for their review. The quarantine officer will also likely collect your printed PCR test results. As such, it is recommended that you bring two copies of your PCR test results, in order to have a copy available for easy reference if asked again later.
The quarantine officer will also check your temperature. If you are coming from a COVID-19 hot spot, they may need to ensure your temperature falls below a certain threshold.
Testing: At some point, you will be directed to speak with a health officer. They will review the Health Declaration form you completed on the plane and ask you a few questions about possible symptoms. Another staff member will then review your passport and direct you as to what to do.
As noted, if you are taken to another facility while waiting for your test results, you will not be charged for your temporary stay there. However, you will still have to pay for your full 7-day stay in the government-designated quarantine facilities (aka your reserved hotel room), even if you cannot check in on the day you originally intended.
Forms and Self-quarantine App: Next, you will likely be sent through a line where they will give you some forms to complete (not all may apply to you). You will also need to download the “Self-quarantine Safety Protection App” via QR code on a sign/paper. Afterward, the immigration officials will check that it is installed and running properly. Please defer to your immigration official’s instructions, but you will likely need the following:
Confirming Location and Contact Info: At some point, they will check your passport again and inquire about your contact number. They check your contact number at the airport by calling it immediately.
Checkpoints: There may be one or two more checkpoints where they will collect/go over any remaining forms/questions.
Immigration: You can then head through the Immigration counters to submit your arrival card. The A-3-99 is a “special agreement” visa, so you are allowed to use the special entry line for diplomats, airport crew, etc. Immigration may ask to see “orders” or other papers to verify your status since they are most accustomed to A-3 visa holders being soldiers or diplomats. Please carry a copy of your Fulbright Award Letter and Fulbright Award Document with you, just in case verifying documents are requested. If an issue comes up, ask the immigration officer to call KAEC.
Baggage and Customs: These are done in the standard fashion.
Transportation: When you exit customs, officials/assistants will be standing by to help you with transportation.
The simplest means of transportation for getting from the airport to your hotel (or to the health center before going to your hotel if not tested at the hotel) are “quarantine taxis.” Airport officials can help you get a taxi when initially leaving the airport. Instructions for how to reserve taxis at other times can be found here.
Arrival at the Quarantine Facility: When you arrive at the quarantine facility, there will likely be two lines for “in-processing.” You will be given a couple of forms to fill out, and you will need to download the actual quarantine app that you will need to use during your quarantine in the government facility. A quarantine official will input their user pin; they will be your point of contact for things at the facility.
Once you are done filling out your forms and downloading the quarantine app, you will be directed to an official who will take any food allergies and/or preferences that you have. Some facilities let you request Korean/Western/halal food. If you arrive at your facility after a mealtime, you will likely be given snacks until the next meal is served. Meals are lunchbox style, and mealtimes vary depending on facilities; breakfast is usually served at 8 am, lunch around 12 pm, and dinner around 6 pm.
Once you have finished all steps, you will be directed to the “lobby” where you will pay for the quarantine fee. You can pay with cash (USD or KRW) or card. Note that there may be a transaction fee for a credit card. After you have paid the quarantine fee, you may be given a bag of essentials, after which you will be directed to your room.
Note on the quarantine fee: KAEC is typically able to pay the quarantine fee for grantees in advance, but any quarantine fee for dependents will need to be paid by the grantee at the hotel.
Things to Note About Quarantine:
Check-out Process: Prior to checking out of the hotel, you will need to be tested for COVID once more at the public health center which has jurisdiction over the district containing your permanent residence. To do this, you can once again reserve a “quarantine taxi” to take you to and from the health center.
You may be able to leave at midnight on Day 7 of your quarantine, or you may need to wait until 8 am on Day 8 to check out. The hotel’s staff can confirm when you can leave. You will likely want to take a taxi once more to your permanent housing location in Seoul. Please text me once you have safely checked out/have made it to your permanent housing location.
In conclusion, we have found that procedures are relatively smooth and clear as long as you have time and patience. Please follow all guidelines and instructions given by airport/government officials and keep us informed as you are going through entry and testing procedures.
- an Application to enter temporary living facility in Seoul
- a copy of a housing contract/housing receipt verifying that the individual quarantining in government facilities will be residing in the health office's district (residency must be for at least one month/30 days)
KAEC will assist grantees quarantining in government facilities with the advance submission of required documentation. The reservation will be made prior to the grantee's departure from the U.S.
Pre-boarding: Effective January 20, 2022, all entrants to Korea over the age of 6 (as of the entry date) are required to provide negative COVID-19 test results from a PCR test performed within 48 hours before the departure date (e.g., for a flight departing August 10, the test must be performed on or after August 8). Test results must be written in English or in Korean. For more information on this requirement, see the website of the Embassy of the ROK in the United States.
Test results must be presented in the U.S. prior to boarding your flight for Korea. Depending on the airport, your negative test results may be confirmed when initially checking in/checking your bags and/or when boarding your flight. Prior to boarding your flight, your temperature will also be checked.
When initially checking in, you may be able to inquire about changing your seat so as to sit as far away from others as possible. Flights tend to be emptier than they would have been in pre-pandemic days, providing more room for safety and comfort.
Either prior to boarding or shortly after you are seated in your flight, you will receive two different forms, a Health Declaration form for reporting symptoms and a Travel Record Declaration for reporting travel history. These will be collected upon your arrival in Korea, so please fill them out on the plane.
In-flight: On the plane, you will also be given the standard Traveler Declaration Form and Arrival Card to fill out (examples can be found by clicking here.) To complete these forms, put the following:
- Occupation: For your occupation, write “Fulbright.”
- Purpose of Visit: Check the “Other” option and write “Fulbright” next to it.
- Address: the address of the hotel (communicated to you in advance)
- Phone Number: Fulbright Korea office number (02-3275-4018)
Upon Arrival at the Airport:
Quarantine Desk: Upon arrival, you will submit your Health Declaration and Travel Record Declaration to a quarantine officer for their review. The quarantine officer will also likely collect your printed PCR test results. As such, it is recommended that you bring two copies of your PCR test results, in order to have a copy available for easy reference if asked again later.
The quarantine officer will also check your temperature. If you are coming from a COVID-19 hot spot, they may need to ensure your temperature falls below a certain threshold.
Testing: At some point, you will be directed to speak with a health officer. They will review the Health Declaration form you completed on the plane and ask you a few questions about possible symptoms. Another staff member will then review your passport and direct you as to what to do.
- You may be tested at the airport, particularly if you have a fever. If you have a fever and are tested at the airport, you will either 1) need to stay in the airport until your results are released, or 2) be taken via bus to another site to await your test results before being allowed to go to your quarantine site.
- If you must stay at the airport until your test results are released, you will need to wait a minimum of 6 hours. You will be directed to a waiting area and given some forms to complete. After being tested, you will wait in another waiting area divided into cubicles. You will typically be given an emergency blanket, water, and a snack. You should wait in your cubicle until a worker comes to inform you of your test results and to direct you as to next steps.
- If taken to another site, you will either be taken to a testing facility or taken to a hotel. You may be tested a second time at the testing facility or hotel. You will not be charged for your temporary stay at either the testing facility or hotel (which could be overnight if arriving in Korea in the evening).
- Please message/text Heidi to inform her if you are tested at the airport so we are aware of your status and location.
- Testing Positive: If you were to test positive, you would be taken to a COVID-quarantine facility for monitoring. You will need to take your belongings with you as you will not be coming back to the airport or temporary testing facility/hotel if your results are positive. Please contact your health benefits provider (ASPE if you do not have other coverage) to ensure that any costs related to the treatment/monitoring are covered, and then contact Heidi.
As noted, if you are taken to another facility while waiting for your test results, you will not be charged for your temporary stay there. However, you will still have to pay for your full 7-day stay in the government-designated quarantine facilities (aka your reserved hotel room), even if you cannot check in on the day you originally intended.
- If you are not tested at the airport, you typically must be tested within 3 days at the public health center which has jurisdiction over the district containing your permanent residence. You CANNOT be tested at any other health center; it must be the health center for your district. It is recommended that you go to the public health center before checking into your hotel, if possible. If going directly from the airport to the health center, there will be airport staff standing by after you exit Customs/Baggage Claim to assist you with transportation (more information further down).
Forms and Self-quarantine App: Next, you will likely be sent through a line where they will give you some forms to complete (not all may apply to you). You will also need to download the “Self-quarantine Safety Protection App” via QR code on a sign/paper. Afterward, the immigration officials will check that it is installed and running properly. Please defer to your immigration official’s instructions, but you will likely need the following:
- Address: the address of the hotel (communicated to you in advance)
- Reminder: If you will be quarantining with dependents, it would be advisable to carry a copy of your marriage certificate/children's birth certificates with you in order to clearly show your legal, familial relationship, if requested.
- Guardian Phone Number: Fulbright Korea office number (02-3275-4018)
- Mobile Number: the mobile number of your assigned KAEC contact (communicated to you in advance)
Confirming Location and Contact Info: At some point, they will check your passport again and inquire about your contact number. They check your contact number at the airport by calling it immediately.
- If it is during our office hours (we close at 5:30PM), please have them call our office at 02-3275-4018.
- If it is after office hours, please have them call the mobile number of your assigned KAEC contact (communicated to you in advance).
Checkpoints: There may be one or two more checkpoints where they will collect/go over any remaining forms/questions.
Immigration: You can then head through the Immigration counters to submit your arrival card. The A-3-99 is a “special agreement” visa, so you are allowed to use the special entry line for diplomats, airport crew, etc. Immigration may ask to see “orders” or other papers to verify your status since they are most accustomed to A-3 visa holders being soldiers or diplomats. Please carry a copy of your Fulbright Award Letter and Fulbright Award Document with you, just in case verifying documents are requested. If an issue comes up, ask the immigration officer to call KAEC.
- If they ask where you will be staying, you should say that you are staying in a government quarantine facility. If they ask where you are staying after quarantine you should refer them to your permanent address in Korea.
Baggage and Customs: These are done in the standard fashion.
Transportation: When you exit customs, officials/assistants will be standing by to help you with transportation.
The simplest means of transportation for getting from the airport to your hotel (or to the health center before going to your hotel if not tested at the hotel) are “quarantine taxis.” Airport officials can help you get a taxi when initially leaving the airport. Instructions for how to reserve taxis at other times can be found here.
Arrival at the Quarantine Facility: When you arrive at the quarantine facility, there will likely be two lines for “in-processing.” You will be given a couple of forms to fill out, and you will need to download the actual quarantine app that you will need to use during your quarantine in the government facility. A quarantine official will input their user pin; they will be your point of contact for things at the facility.
Once you are done filling out your forms and downloading the quarantine app, you will be directed to an official who will take any food allergies and/or preferences that you have. Some facilities let you request Korean/Western/halal food. If you arrive at your facility after a mealtime, you will likely be given snacks until the next meal is served. Meals are lunchbox style, and mealtimes vary depending on facilities; breakfast is usually served at 8 am, lunch around 12 pm, and dinner around 6 pm.
Once you have finished all steps, you will be directed to the “lobby” where you will pay for the quarantine fee. You can pay with cash (USD or KRW) or card. Note that there may be a transaction fee for a credit card. After you have paid the quarantine fee, you may be given a bag of essentials, after which you will be directed to your room.
Note on the quarantine fee: KAEC is typically able to pay the quarantine fee for grantees in advance, but any quarantine fee for dependents will need to be paid by the grantee at the hotel.
Things to Note About Quarantine:
- Facility Instructions: When you enter your room, you will find an instruction sheet (if you were not already handed one during check-in). Please read your instructions thoroughly. These instructions are specific to YOUR quarantine facility, and they contain information about mealtimes, how/when to test your temperature, what to do if you develop symptoms, etc.
- Deliveries: If interested in ordering something to your hotel room, check with your facility to see if they allow deliveries. Some, not all, facilities allow deliveries. If your facility allows you to order items, you can get food deliveries (배달) or grocery deliveries to the front desk. Staff will then bring deliveries to your room.
- Testing & Test Results: Test results from the airport or public health center will likely be sent via text. Your assigned KAEC contact may receive these texts since you may not have a Korean sim card. However, in some cases, results may be reported via email. If you do not hear anything, then you can assume you tested negative.
- Testing Positive: In the unlikely event that you test positive, you will be taken to a COVID-quarantine facility for monitoring. You will need to take your belongings with you as you will not be coming back to the quarantine facility. Please contact your health benefits provider (ASPE if you do not have other coverage) to ensure that any costs related to the treatment/monitoring are covered, and then contact Heidi.
Check-out Process: Prior to checking out of the hotel, you will need to be tested for COVID once more at the public health center which has jurisdiction over the district containing your permanent residence. To do this, you can once again reserve a “quarantine taxi” to take you to and from the health center.
You may be able to leave at midnight on Day 7 of your quarantine, or you may need to wait until 8 am on Day 8 to check out. The hotel’s staff can confirm when you can leave. You will likely want to take a taxi once more to your permanent housing location in Seoul. Please text me once you have safely checked out/have made it to your permanent housing location.
In conclusion, we have found that procedures are relatively smooth and clear as long as you have time and patience. Please follow all guidelines and instructions given by airport/government officials and keep us informed as you are going through entry and testing procedures.