Travel Advice

Visas: Most tourists can visit Korea for 15 days without a visa, provided they have a return ticket upon entry. Many nationals may stay for longer periods, one to six months, without visas under reciprocity agreements between Korea and their governments. Visitors planning to work or reside in Korea for longer periods must have a visa before entry and obtain an alien registration card from a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival.

Currency: Korea's currency is the won, which comes in 1,000 (US$1.05), 5,000 and 10,000 won bills, and 10, 50, 100 and 500 won coins. Generally, banks are open between 09:30-16:30 Monday through Friday. Automated teller machines are in operation 24 hours a day. Most larger stores, hotels and restaurants in Korea will accept major international credit cards. However, it is advisable to carry some cash, since many smaller establishments and stores may not have credit card processing equipment. Animal and Plant Quarantine: All imported animals, plants and their products are subject to quarantine at airports and ports of arrival at the time of entry.Korea Travel Phone 1330 : When you need English assistance or travel information, just dial 1330, and a bilingual operator will offer you detailed information on tourist sites, transportation, restaurants, etc. You don't need to dial an area code if are you making the call from a landline phone, but if you are calling from a cell phone or abroad, you need to press an area code. When you want information about areas outside of Seoul, enter the area code of that region before pressing 1330. If you want to reach the number from abroad, press 82(country code)-Area code-1330. Be sure to drop 0 in front of the area code.