Travel

Most nationalities can stay in South Korea for 30 to 180 days without a visa, depending on citizenship and purpose of visit.

If you leave South Korea voluntarily while overstaying, you may avoid detention and criminal penalties, but you could still face a re-entry ban of 1–5 years depending on overstay length.

You can appeal a travel ban in South Korea by filing an administrative appeal with the issuing agency within 90 days, or filing an administrative lawsuit at the Administrative Court within 90 days of receiving notice.

Yes, most foreigners staying in South Korea for more than 90 days must register with the immigration office within 90 days of entry.

To change to a work visa in South Korea, you must apply for a Change of Status of Sojourn (COSS) at a local Immigration Office before your current visa expires, with employer sponsorship, valid employment contract, and required documents.

In South Korea, a refugee application is submitted to the Ministry of Justice, followed by an interview and decision within 6 months; applicants may appeal a denial within 30 days.

Yes, you can request access to your immigration records in South Korea under the Personal Information Protection Act and the Immigration Act, subject to certain exceptions.

You may be denied entry to South Korea if you lack proper documentation, pose a security risk, or fall under statutory inadmissibility grounds under the Immigration Act.

Under South Korean law, airlines are liable for lost luggage up to ₩1.5 million per passenger unless a higher value is declared and paid for in advance.

Yes, you may be entitled to compensation if your flight was cancelled by the airline without sufficient notice or justification, under South Korea’s Aviation Business Act and related enforcement rules.

If denied boarding due to overbooking on a flight departing from or arriving in South Korea, you are entitled to compensation of up to ₩400,000, plus care (meals, accommodation, communications) and re-routing assistance under the Aviation Business Act.

In South Korea, passengers on domestic flights delayed over 3 hours are entitled to compensation of up to KRW 300,000 under the Aviation Business Act, provided the delay was not due to extraordinary circumstances.

In South Korea, airlines must issue full refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed flights under the Aviation Business Act. You can file a complaint with the Korea Office of Civil Aviation (KOCA) if the airline refuses.

You must file a written claim with the airline within 7 days of receiving damaged baggage. The airline must respond within 30 days and pay compensation up to ₩1,500,000 per passenger for checked baggage damage.

A travel agency in South Korea cannot unilaterally change a confirmed itinerary without your consent — doing so breaches the Travel Industry Act and entitles you to cancellation, refund, or compensation.

If you lose your passport while traveling abroad, contact the nearest South Korean embassy or consulate immediately to apply for a replacement or emergency travel document.

Yes, you can appeal a deportation order in South Korea within 30 days of receiving the decision by filing an administrative lawsuit at the Administrative Court.

In South Korea, travel agencies must refund full payments for trips cancelled due to government-issued COVID-19 travel restrictions or quarantine orders, with no penalty or cancellation fee.

Yes, you can return duty-free items in South Korea only if they remain unopened and unused, and you request a refund before leaving the country — typically within 30 days of purchase and before customs clearance.

Yes, travel insurance may cover you if your travel agency in South Korea went bankrupt — but only if your policy includes 'bankruptcy coverage' (also called 'supplier insolvency coverage'), which is optional and not automatic.

Yes, the travel agency is generally liable for accidents during a package tour under South Korea’s Tourism Promotion Act and Civil Act, unless it proves the accident was due to force majeure or the traveler’s gross negligence.

Travel insurance in South Korea typically covers medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, lost or delayed baggage, and emergency evacuation — but coverage depends on the specific policy terms, as no single law mandates uniform coverage.

Under South Korean law, travel contract penalty fees are capped at 15% of the total travel fee for cancellations made before departure, and must be reasonable and proportional to actual damages.

South Korean law does not provide a direct legal remedy for rudeness by a flight attendant unless it involves discrimination, harassment, or violates aviation safety/service regulations. Passengers may file a complaint with the airline or the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

South Korean consumers on cruises are protected by the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Transactions and the Act on Promotion of Overseas Travel, which apply to contracts with Korean-based cruise operators or travel agencies.