South Korea is set to resume visa-free travel for Hong Kong residents starting on July 1, Seoul’s consulate has announced.
Holders of both Hong Kong SAR and the British National Overseas (BNO) passports, now derecognised by the city government, can enter the country without a visa for short-term trips such as tourism, business meetings and family visits, according to a notice issued on Monday.
But travellers will still need to apply for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) and obtain approval at least 72 hours before boarding a plane or ship bound for the country.
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Applicants need to provide a valid passport, an email address, a headshot image and pay a 10,000 won (HK$60) fee in order to apply for the K-ETA, which is valid for multiple trips within two years from the approval date.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Seoul previously suspended visa exemptions and visa-free entry for foreign nationals of up to 90 countries.
Hong Kong on Tuesday recorded 1,198 Covid-19 cases, the eighth straight day of more than 1,000 new infections.
The daily tally, comprising 1,076 local and 122 imported infections, marked a drop from 1,327 cases confirmed a day ago. The city’s coronavirus tally now stands at 1,229,094, with 9,396 related deaths.
In a check by the Post on Tuesday, the city’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific has scheduled flights to the Incheon International Airport on Sundays and Fridays.
Hong Thai Travel Services, one of the largest agencies in Hong Kong, said there was no increase in inquiries despite the entry relaxation. In response to the new arrangements, it resumed a seven-day group tour to Seoul on Tuesday, it added.
At present, a pre-departure negative Covid-19 test is required for all travellers over six years old regardless of vaccination status. They have to conduct a supervised rapid antigen test (RAT) at a clinic or hospital within 24 hours or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within two days ahead of departure. These requirements will be dropped from July 1.
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