The Korea VTL scheme is probably one of the most complicated ones among the VTL schemes launched by Singapore. If you’re planning to stay for more than 8 days in South Korea, you’ll need to take up to 5 PCR Covid-19 tests and countless ART tests. Will it be worth it? Well, after being here for 6 days (as of the time of writing this article), we’d say it’s pretty worth it.
Update: Now that Korea has opened its borders to other countries, the procedures required for Covid-19 are much simpler. Instead of 5 PCR tests, you will only need 2 PCR tests for your travel to Korea!
Travel to Korea Covid Tests
For travel to Korea, you will need to take:
- Pre-Departure PCR Test in Singapore
- On-Arrival PCR Test in Incheon Airport
- Day 6/7 self-administered ART Test in South Korea (for those staying >8 days)
- Pre-Departure PCR/ART Test in South Korea
Pre-Departure PCR Test in Singapore
You’ll have to get a negative result within 48 hours before your departure time. This is pretty straightforward, simply find a clinic near you on MOH’s list of clinics approved to conduct PCR Pre-Departure Tests here.
We did ours at Millennium Medical Group, which set us back $180. The result was out in less than 24 hours and was notarised for us already.
Price: Varies, average cost around $150
Process: Easy
Pain: Slight Discomfort
On-Arrival PCR Test in Incheon Airport
Make sure to book a PCR test before you fly to South Korea via Safe2GoPass. Since SQ flights land in Terminal 1 of Incheon Airport, we did ours at the Covid-19 Testing Centre in T1.
We were led to the testing centre by the airport staff, where we needed to show our proof of reservation and fill in some forms. We were only offered credit card as our mode of payment and was issued a receipt right after payment.
Warning: the general consensus is that the PCR test here hurts like hell. The nurses just jab it in your nose. However, the only relief is that it ends in a split second.
Price: 80,000won
Process: Easy
Pain: Hell
The result will be sent to the email that you used to register for Safe2GoPass.
Do note that for this PCR Test, you are supposed to isolate until you get a negative result – this means no domestic flights to Jeju as well. You are highly recommended to take private transport to your hotel/Airbnb right after this test.
Day 3/5 Self-Administered ART Test
Update: With effect from 1 March 2022, the Day 3/5 Self-Administered ART Test in South Korea is no longer required.
From Dec 20th, 2021, VTL Travellers arriving in South Korea will be required to take a self-administered ART test on Day 3 and Day 5 with arrival day being Day 1.
This means if you’re arriving on Dec 21st, you’ll be required to take it on Dec 23rd and Dec 25th. From what we know, you’re supposed to get the ART kits yourself, so bringing them along in your luggage would be the best and easiest option.
The update from the Embassy of Korea states that you are not required to report the results to authorities. However, you are still required to take a photo of the ART result together with your passport’s bio-data page for self-recording. If you get a positive result, you are required to contact the public health centre immediately and an arrangement would be made for you to take a PCR test.
Price: Depends on what kit you get.
Process: Easy
Pain: Self-inflicted
Day 6/7 PCR Test in South Korea
Update: As of 10.03.2022, VTL Travellers will no longer need to take a PCR test. Instead, you can simply take a self-administered ART test on Day6/7. If negative, nothing is required on your end, but we recommend labelling and taking a photo for record. If positive, contact the public health centre immediately.
For the Day 6/7 PCR Test in South Korea, we went to get it done at Gangbuk Samsung Hospital near Seodaemun Station. The list of other hospitals can be found here. Totally unrelated but, Donuimun Museum Village is right next door, so you can explore the area once you’re done with your test!
It’s a short walk from the subway station and is done in a designated area (a carpark area).
No reservations are required, simply walk in to get your test done. The staff all speak basic English, and there are English forms available so it’s pretty much a breeze.
Remember to bring your passport for this test. For Day 6/7 PCR tests, you do not need to get a physical certification, unlike the Pre-Departure test you’re supposed to do 48 hours prior to flying to Singapore.
Important to note: you will need a Korean phone number to receive your results – and a hotel number is not possible. We are currently using Trazy’s SIM Card that comes with calling time and SMS, and it helps a lot when travelling using the VTL.
The process was relatively simple:
- Get a queue number
- Fill in a questionnaire (English form provided)
- Wait until your number is called (took around 1hr+ for us)
- Pay at the counter using cash or credit card
- Do the swab test (1x throat, 1x nostril)
- Wait for your results to be SMSed to you
Everything is labelled using numbers so it’s easy to navigate your way around. P.s. We found this test to be relatively less painful than the one at Incheon Airport.
You do not need to isolate yourself after finishing your Day 6/7 PCR test.
Price: 109,080won
Process: Finding places might be difficult, smooth after that
Pain: Bearable
Pre-Departure PCR/ART Test in South Korea
For this PCR test, if you choose to do it at Gangbuk Samsung Hospital, it’ll just be an additional 20,000won charge for the physical English certificate which you will need to collect in person the next day.
From what we know, the only place doing the Antigen test is at Incheon Airport which costs 84,000won on weekdays and 90,000won on weekends. Most places have designated Covid-19 PCR testing areas.
We opted for an ART test at Incheon Airport. Our flight was 10:30am and we arrived for the ART test at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 at 7am. Make sure to book a slot via Safe2GoPass beforehand! It took around 1hr for the results to be out, so you can check in for your flight right after.
Eligible travellers can choose to administer a Real-time Remote Supervised Self-Swab, which is a self-administered ART test remotely supervised by an approved ART provider.
Price: 116,000-120,000won for PCR, 66,000-70,000won for Antigen Test (if doing at Incheon Airport)
Process: Same as Day 6/7 with 1 extra step of collecting the cert
Pain: ART pain level basically same as PCR
On-Arrival PCR Test in Changi Airport
Update: No more on-arrival PCR test. You will need to take a supervised self-administered ART (S$15, payment onsite via cashless modes) at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC) within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore. Fully vaccinated recovered travellers may qualify for exemption from Covid-19 tests. Check if you’re eligible here.
Good news, as of 18 Nov 2021, the price of the arrival Covid-19 test has been reduced to $125 instead of $160. You can book your test via the Safe Travel Changi Airport website.
You’ll need to isolate till you get a negative result.
Price: $125
Process: Easy
Pain: Gentle, Almost Painless
If you happen to get Covid-19 in South Korea, you will most likely be transferred to a medical facility which is why insurance that covers Covid-19 is so important.
Other Things To Take Note
Also, your day of arrival in Korea is known as Day 1, so you will only need to take a Day 6/7 self-administered ART test if you’re in Korea for more than 8 days, or flying on the 8th day. In total, the average cost for the total Covid tests required for travel to Korea is around $300 SGD.
Hopefully, this gives you a better overview of how the PCR tests work if you’re planning to travel to Korea. For more information on travelling to Korea, check out https://middleclass.sg/korea
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