Go to contents

Special visa waiver imposed for Chinese during PyeongChang Olympics

Special visa waiver imposed for Chinese during PyeongChang Olympics

Posted December. 01, 2017 08:59,   

Updated December. 01, 2017 09:45

한국어

Chinese visitors will be given up to 15 days of non-visa entry to Korea, a temporary measure that will be imposed in celebration of the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics. It is the first time the Korean government has offered a visa waiver to a certain country to promote an international sports event.

The Ministry of Justice will permit no-visa entry up to 15 days for Chinese visitors that meet certain criteria, starting from December through end March next year, the ministry stated Thursday. These visitors that arrive and depart under normal conditions will be eligible for a multiple visa valid for five years, which is offered to promote exchanges between the two countries.

Eligible visitors are those with records of arrival and departure in and from Korea with a valid visa within five years, those who have purchased an Olympic ticket exceeding 200,000 won at designated travel agencies in China, executives of Chinese state operated companies and others holding a passport for public affairs.

The government also decided to temporarily expand issuance of disembarkation visas, currently permitted to cruise visitors travelling in groups, to individual travelers next year. Cruise ships that enter the Korean port cities of Donghae and Sokcho during the Olympics will be able to stay up to five days, an extension from the current three days.



Joo-Young Jeon aimhigh@donga.com