With effect from 15 November 2021, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to use the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) to travel between Changi Airport and Incheon International Airport without the need to serve quarantine or a Stay Home Notice. There will be no restrictions on the purpose of travel or requirements for a controlled itinerary or sponsorship. VTL travellers will instead be subject to pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 test.
For VTL Travel from Singapore to the ROK
For the use of VTL to travel from Singapore to the ROK, please refer to the ROK Embassy in Singapore’s notice here: https://bit.ly/3bOwybq
The ROK has reinstated the visa waiver agreement with Singapore with effect from 8 November 2021. This means that Singapore passport holders are not required to apply for visas for short-term entry into the ROK (less than 90 days). They will instead be required to apply for a Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) via www.k-eta.go.kr
For further information pertaining to entry into the ROK under the VTL, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore
ROK authorities have agreed that fully vaccinated travellers entering the ROK from Singapore will be subject to the same COVID-19 protocols as fully vaccinated ROK nationals, such as quarantine exemption and prevailing social distancing guidelines. In order for ROK authorities to verify the vaccination status of VTL travellers from Singapore, these travellers must present their hardcopy Singapore Vaccination HealthCerts. These HealthCerts must be authenticated by notarise.gov.sg and verified via Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)’s COOV application to be recognised for use in the ROK.
During arrival procedures at Incheon International Airport, VTL travellers will receive an instruction sheet in Korean (with English on the reverse side) that is meant to be shown to restaurants and facilities in the ROK. The instructions will advise the restaurants and facilities on how they can use the COOV app to verify Singapore Vaccination HealthCerts.
For more information, please refer to our Facebook post dated 9 Dec 2021: https://bit.ly/3eaXeo3and this information sheet (English version) prepared by KDCA here: https://tinyurl.com/6ba2k7jv
[Update] The ROK authorities have temporarily suspended the mandatory entry log system for venues, including the use of scanning QR codes, phone calls and handwritten lists. However, please note that facilities requiring proof of vaccination will still check electronic certificates (coov app or QR code), paper certificates, or negative PCR test results.
[Update]The Embassy is aware that some short-term travellers from Singapore who entered the ROK via the VTL have experienced some issues entering some restaurants and facilities in the ROK, due to the lack of a QR code that is only available to ROK citizens or long-term residents.* We have highlighted this issue to the relevant ROK authorities and they have informed us that they are looking into it.
We understand from the ROK authorities that the local community health centres (보건소) are able to issue “Confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination” for short-term travellers as well. To do this, the VTL traveller would need to personally visit the nearest health centre** with his/her original passport, hardcopy Singapore Vaccination HealthCert and a ROK phone number for registration purposes. [𝘝𝘛𝘓𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘚𝘐𝘔𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘙𝘖𝘒.]
A list of health centres in Seoul can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yc6jn8tr
The full list of health centres in the ROK can be found here (in Korean only): https://www.mohw.go.kr/react/popup_200128_3.html
This ROK-issued “Confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination” may be shown to restaurants and facilities at the point of entry to help mitigate any issues faced by short-term travellers in gaining entry into restaurants and facilities in the ROK. But please understand that there may still be some private establishments/facilities that are less accommodating in serving travellers from abroad, so it may be useful to check with the establishments before heading down, or be prepared to make alternative plans.
*This QR code is separate and different from the QR code on the Vaccination HealthCert notarised in Singapore. The former is for contact tracing purposes while the latter is to verify one's vaccination status.
**If necessary, short-term travellers can also check with your hotel for details of the healthcare centres.
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For VTL Travel from ROK to Singapore
For the use of VTL to travel from ROK to Singapore, please refer to the Safetravel page https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process for details on the eligibility criteria, requirements, application process and post-arrival procedures (including testing).For FAQs relating to the use of the VTL, please refer to this page: https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process#FAQ
Short-term visitors are required to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) for entry into Singapore. This can be done online at https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/STO1/VTL
In addition to the VTP, foreign passport holders who require a visa for entry into Singapore, would still need to apply for a visa. For visa requirements and visa application for entry into Singapore, please refer to ICA page here: https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-depart/entry_requirements/visa_requirements
Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents are not required to apply for a VTP to use the VTL for travel to Singapore. With effect from 21 February 2022, Long-Term Pass Holders who are fully vaccinated (except Work Permit holders) will also no longer have to obtain an entry approval or a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) to enter Singapore.
Prior to utilising the VTL to travel from the ROK to Singapore, travellers are advised to ensure that they have the necessary documents by referring to this Vaccinated Travel Lane Checklist: https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist
Travellers who have recently recovered from Covid-19 in the last 90 days before departure can use this self-checker tool to determine if they are eligible for the Vaccinated-Recovered Traveller Protocol. If eligible, they may refer to the Travel Checklist for Fully Vaccinated and Recovered Traveller here: https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vaccinated-recovered
Pre-Departure COVID-19 Tests in the ROK
Negative PCR test results and negative professionally-administered ART test results are accepted for pre-departure COVID-19 tests in the ROK before departing for Singapore. (Self-administered ART tests are not allowed.)
For a list of PCR-testing facilities in the ROK, please refer to KDCA’s list here: https://tinyurl.com/53nsu8u6
VTL travellers wishing to take pre-departure ART tests may wish to consider the following:
A negative COVID-19 test result (whether PCR or professionally-administered ART) should be issued in English or accompanied by an English translation, containing the COVID-19 test results, test date, traveller’s name, and traveller’s date of birth (or passport number) to be recognised as a valid Pre-Departure Test result for your entry to Singapore.
Kindly note that the Singapore Embassy in Seoul is not in a position to make enquiries or appointments for PCR/ART COVID-19 tests on behalf of travellers.