S. Korea to reinstate visa-free entry for Russians from April 1

MOSCOW. March 23 (Interfax) - The authorities of South Korea have made a decision to reinstate visa-free entry to the country for citizens of 25 states, including Russia, starting on April 1; however, tourists are still not allowed to enter the country.

"At the decision of the government of the Republic of Korea, the suspension of visa-free entry for citizens of 25 countries, including the Russian Federation, introduced due to the spread of Covid-19, is being lifted at 12 a.m. on April 1, 2022. Russian citizens can enter the country from April 1," the South Sakhalin office of the South Korean Consulate General in Vladivostok said.

Russians will need only an electronic travel authorization, known as K-ETA, to travel to South Korea, it said. However, the date of the start of the reception of applications for the electronic travel authorization has currently not been determined.

Russian tourists are yet unable to travel to South Korea, as entry is permitted only for certain categories of citizens for education, treatment or diplomatic purposes. All visitors will have to be quarantined for two weeks in addition to presenting the results of two PCR tests taken before travelling and upon arrival.