General Information

Visa

<Korean Consulate
San Francisc>

A visitor from a foreign country should have a passport and a Visa.

A person who is planning to stay less than 30 days for the purpose of sightseeing may enter without a Visa. Please confirm this with a Korean consulate near you before traveling. There may be some cases in which you may need a Visa even though you will be staying in Korea less than 30 days.

A Korean Visa is issued at Korean embassies or consulates. Currently (as of Feb. 2001) the commission is $30 US if you are staying less than 90 days and $50 US if you are staying more than 90 days. This may vary by country. For more accurate and detailed information, contact a Korean diplomatic mission near you.

Korean Diplomatic Missions: http://www.mofat.go.kr/mission/missions_map_en.mof (Kor, Eng)

Customhouse

All visitors arriving in or departing from Korea need to fill out an accurate customs declaration.

Before your arrival at any airport in Korea, you will be given a declaration form to fill out during your flight. Completing it before your arrival will make entry much more convenient. When departing from Korea, fill out the form and hand it in right before you get on the airplane.

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Duty-free Items

If your items are not purchased for the purpose of reselling them, you may carry out of the country a total of $400 US worth of duty-free items.
Certain items are limited. One bottle of liquor (1 liter), 200 cigarettes (50 cigars/250g of tobacco leaves), or 2 ounces of perfume are the maximum amount of these items that can be tax free. If you buy a a 2 liter bottle of liquor, for example, only one liter will be tax free.
Duty-free items can be purchased at duty-free shops or tourist shops at major hotels or in airports.
Office of Customs Administration:

•Example of Duty-free Rates (standard rates as of Aug. 2000)
TV (Color, non-flat), Audio equipment: 20%
Perfume: 40%
Deer antlers: 50%
Skiing/Bowling equipment: 20%
Hunting Rifles: 70%
Golf clubs: 70%
Royal jelly: 35%

Traveler's Insurance

Traveler's Insurance is what you can depend on when unexpected accidents happen during your trip.

If you are using a travel package arranged by a travel agency, you most likely were automatically signed up for traveler's insurance. However, free travelers like backpackers must sign up for such insurance themselves. There are places at airports or money exchange banks where you can register for traveler's insurance.

Once you register, you may receive compensation in the event of sudden emergencies such as accidental death, injury, disease, robbery, or the loss of valuables during your travel. The amount of coverage and service provided vary by insurance company.

Travelers should carry insurance certificates with them and keep any receipts for missing items issued by hospitals or police stations. Compensation is usually made at the closest branch of the insurance company or when you return to your home country

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Tourist Information Services

You can receive a variety of information on traveling in Korea from KNTO's (Korea National Tourism Organization) Tourist Information Center or from information centers for particular attractions.

At such tourist centers, you are able to get maps and guide books on shopping areas, accommodations and restaurants. Most of the materials are provided in English, Japanese and Chinese. The tourist center staff can often speak foreign languages and can help you find any information you need. Usually these Information Centers are open from 09:00 to 18:00 (Nov~Feb: 09:00~17:00).

The Korea Tourism Association (82-2-556-2356) or the Korea Association of Travel Agents (82-2-752-8692) will provide information on the locations of Tourist Information Centers.

KATA (Korea Association of Travel Agents) provides free tour guide services for up to three foreign tourists. (Admission fees and lunch are not included.) Tour guide service is offered in English, Japanese and Chinese and is available from 09:00 to 18:00 in Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju and Jeju. For more information, call 82-2-771-8114.

• Tour Guide Information
Korea National Tourism Organization: 82-2-757-0086
Seoul City Hall: 82-2-731-6337

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1330 Phonecall Tour Guide

1330 Phone Call Tour Guide provides interpretation of foreign languages (English, Japanese and Chinese) by telephone. This service can be useful when you need basic and quick interpretation such as you may need when in a restaurant or riding in a taxi.

The usage fee is the same as that for making a general phone call. The service is available from 09:00~18:00 (Nov~Feb: 09:00~17:00).

To use this service in Korea, dial 1330. To use it from abroad, dial 82 + area code (except "0") + 1330. For example, when you call from the United States to get information on Busan, Korea, you should dial 82+51 (area code for Busan) +1330. If you are in Korea and you want information on an area other than where you are, you should dial the area code + 1330. For example, if you are in Seoul and want information on Busan, you should call 051 + 1330

Area Codes & Languages Available

Seoul (02), Busan (051), Daegu (053), Gwangju (062), Daejeon (042), Ulsan (052), Suwon/Yongin/Icheon (031), Gangreung (033), Buyeo/Gongju (041), Jeonju/Namwon/Buan (063), Changwon (055), Jeju (064)
: English, Japanese, Chinese

Chuncheon/Sokcho (033), Cheongju (043), Gyeongju (054): English, Japanese
Incheon (032): English
Other Areas: 82-80-757-2000 (Free)

Traveler's Notice

It is wise to plan to visit well known tourist attractions in the morning and to visit relatively lesser known places in the afternoon in order to avoid crowdedness. Keep in mind that tourist spots can be bustling on weekends. Avoid rush hours (07:00~09:00/17:00~19:00) in large cities.

If you use public transportation during the rush hour, take good care of your cash and passport because there is the danger of it being stolen. Because hotels are not responsible for items left in your room, always keep valuables in the depository.

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International Driver's License

If you have a driver's license, an international driver's license can easily be issued to you through a simple procedure. You can apply in the testing area nearest your residence. It will take one day from the date of application to issue a license. It will be good for one year.

After obtaining an international driver's license, be certain to investigate the rental car system and the traffic rules of Korea. Because driving privileges are limited for those under 18 years of age in Korea, ask for details from your rental car company. Keep in mind that you should bring the driver's license issued by your country with you when you rent a car using an international driver's license.

• Documents Needed to Apply (In Korea/As of February 2001)
· Application form
· Driver's license
· Photo (3*4) - one copy
· Fee: 5,000won

A passport and a visa are required for those staying abroad long-term who wish to be exempted from the aptitude test. If you do not have a visa, an original airline ticket will be required. The documents issued must match the English name given on your passport.

An agent can also apply on your behalf if he has your identification cards (resident card, driver's license, etc), but the agent will need to bring his own identification as well.

International Student Identity Card

The international student ID card is issued by the ISIC and is available in 70 countries around the world. Those who are under 26 years of age, from middle or high school students to university students, can have it issued. It normally takes one day from the date of application to be issued.

Those who carry an international student ID card can receive discounts on trains and passenger ships or on admission fees to museums and art galleries. Some family restaurants and fastfood chains give 5~30% discounts or free beverage services. Be sure to ask whether or not the international student card can be used.


• Documents Needed to Apply (In Korea/ As of February 2001)
· Application form
· Copy of student ID card or a student registration certificate (If not a student: a resident card)
· Photo - two copies
· Fee: 11,000won (As of February 2001)

International Student ID Card: http://www.isecard.com/ (English

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Consulates

<The Chinese Embassy in Seoul>

There are 88 diplomatic and consular offices in Korea, including embassies and consulates, that have concluded a treaty of amity with Korea and other international organizations. They are open between 09:00 and 18:00 Monday through Friday.

It is recommended that you determine the location of the consulate for your country should you need to find it in the event of an emergency such as a traffic accident or a lost passport.

Shopping Tips

There are many department stores, souvenir shops and stores in large cities in Korea, but generally the clerks cannot speak foreign languages unless you are in Itaewon, Myeong-dong and Namdaemun.

Most department stores are open from 10:30 to 19:30, while markets and small shops usually do business from 10:00 to 21:00. However, some stores are open from early morning until nighttime without taking holidays.

Many stores have accepted a price-tag system, however, fixed prices are not available in the old traditional markets. Here you can receive discounts when purchasing by cash. When purchasing goods at a traditional market, as opposed to a department store, you should ask in advance whether an exchange or a refund is possible.

The popular tourist items in Korea are as follows: Goryeo celadon, lizard skin, leather items, jewelry and antiques. However, you should be careful when purchasing antiques because they cannot be shipped abroad without permission from the Customs Administration or the Cultural Properties Administration.