Going Through Immigration in the South Korean Airport During a Pandemic

 

 

South Korean Immigration

✈Once my friend and I arrived at the ICN airport we were met with a variety of obstacles. First off since Covid is still a big thing we had to go through Covid paperwork screening and temperature checks. We had to wait for both American and Korean airports to double check that our tests were passable. If your test says "nucleic acid" & has a little number code at the bottom, it is an official PCR test without specifically saying PCR. This is what I have been told by my Dr. and by several airport officials. I was then separated from my friend because her temperature was a little high from us wearing multiple layers and running to this section of the airport. We hadn't expected Korea to be so warm this time of year. I was then told to proceed to the right to immigration/baggage claim located to the left.

✈The first desk for immigration required us to have downloaded the Self Quarantine Safety Protection App (make sure to have a Korean contact number, and the address you'll be staying at.) In addition to this App you will need 2/4 of the documents given to you on the airplane, your visa which you should already have, and your passport. You should be given an addition piece of paper at this station. *picture of the correct app shown to the right. Additional photos about setting up the app can be found at the bottom of the blog post.

✈Be prepared for the lines to be super long for all steps of the immigration process. I waited for about 4 hours for the second step of immigration with about a hundred other people. At the second desk they will call that Korean contact number to verify who you are. 

✈The third desk they double check some of your other paperwork & passport.

✈Then at the fourth desk they take your finger print, and take a photo of your face. 

✈Once you get through immigration proceed to the first floor where baggage claim is located. If you had to wait for four hours like I did then your luggage will basically be sitting in the middle of the airport for you. Once you grab your bag proceed to the left where you will find the exit. At the exit they want 1/4 forms you filled out on the plane, and they'll double check your passport.

In the airport (after immigration) I got this peach oolong tea for like a $1 (I forget what it was in Krw) it was very tasty.