The Korea & Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) began on November 15th, 2021, allowing quarantine-free travel between Singapore and South Korea for tourists and other travellers.
Please note: The Korean – Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane has now been suspended due to eased travel restrictions to enter Korea for many countries. If you have any questions about entering Korea quarantine-free, please feel free to join the Korea Travel Advice group on Facebook. You’ll find all the latest information about travel restrictions for South Korea there.
I will leave this article in it’s original format for the sake of recording the steps involved in moving towards quarantine-free travel to Korea from 2022 onwards.
After months of restricted travel, this is a welcome first step towards a return to normal air travel. However, there are still a number of restrictions in place and rules that must be followed to be able to enjoy quarantine-free travel on the Korea & Singapore VTL.
Travel between Singapore and South Korea on the Vaccinated Travel Lane is not the same in each direction. Requirements in Singapore and South Korea are different and, if you plan on making a return journey, you will need to be aware of both sets of VTL requirements.
This article provides details of all of those requirements, as well as links to relevant websites to book PCR tests, arrange entry visas, and more.
I hope this will take the stress out of travelling and make your trip safe, smooth and enjoyable.
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What Is The Vaccinated Travel Lane?
The Korea & Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane is a travel bubble between the two countries that allows fully vaccinated people to travel without having to quarantine on arrival.
It began on November 15th, 2021, and is open for all travellers moving between the two countries, including those who are travelling for tourism.
At present, there are a number of conditions and restricted to the Vaccinated Travel Lane that can be confusing.
To avoid any problems when travelling between Singapore and Korea, this article will cover who can travel (plus exceptions), how to travel without quarantine, and which flights you can take for the VTL.
Who Can Use The Vaccinated Travel Lane?
The following people are eligible to use the Vaccinated Travel Lane between South Korea and Singapore:
1: People who have been in Singapore or South Korea for at least 14 days before travelling.*
2: People who have been fully vaccinated in either Singapore or South Korea.*
3: Unvaccinated children 5 years and younger.
*Travellers to Singapore may also travel or be vaccinated in other VTL countries
There are some important things to note about who is or isn’t eligible to use the VTL.
1: You need to remain in Singapore or South Korea for 14 days before travelling. You can’t travel to a 3rd country within these 14 days or you will be ineligible to travel with the VTL.
2: Your vaccine certificate must be in English and issued in either Singapore or South Korea. There are exceptions for travellers who are going to Singapore, explained later.
3: Unvaccinated children over the age of 5 years old (6+) will not be able to travel on the VTL from Singapore to South Korea. This will be a problem for children aged 6 – 11 years of age as they aren’t able to get vaccinated at present.
There are different rules for travelling from Singapore to South Korea or from South Korea to Singapore. I’ll break these down in the two sections below.
The next section will explain more about vaccination and other requirements for travelling between Singapore and South Korea through the VTL.
If you plan to book a return trip, please be aware of the different requirements for each leg of the journey.
Singapore To Korea VTL Requirements.
Here are the requirements to travel on the Vaccinated Travel Lane from Singapore to South Korea. Details of travel from South Korea to Singapore are covered in the next section.
Purpose of Travel
Individual, group, commercial or tourism purposes are allowed on the VTL. Valid visas are also required, if applicable.
Travel Restrictions
Must not have travelled outside of Singapore in the last 14 days before departure.
Vaccination Requirements
Fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before travel with a WHO approved vaccine (Emergency Use List). Children 5 years and under do not need to be vaccinated.
Vaccination Certificates
Must be in English and issued in Singapore or South Korea. For those fully vaccinated in Singapore, you can obtain a vaccine certificate with QR code from the Notarise website
If you need to prove your vaccination status in Korea, you can go to a local health office in Seoul or other cities with your vaccination certificate and ID to register for the COOV app, which will show your vaccination status.
Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA)
All travellers to Korea from Singapore must have an approved K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) visa before travelling to Korea. This can be done online on the K-ETA Website.
*Korean nationals and permanent residents do not require a K-ETA.
Visa Requirements
Singaporean citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Korea and can travel visa-free for up to 90 days. Travellers from Singapore that are not Singaporean citizens may need a visa. Please check with the Korean embassy for more details.
Pre-Departure PCR Testing
You must take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test up to 72 hours before departure and obtain a negative result. You must get an electronic or physical copy of the result to travel.
On-Arrival PCR Testing
You should book an on-arrival PCR test for the date you will arrive in South Korea. You can book this online and complete the test after clearing customs.
Self-Check Mobile App
All arrivals to Korea must install the Self-Check Mobile App to record and report their health status, including any possible symptoms of COVID-19.
Self-Check Mobile App
Travel Insurance
You must book COVID-19 Travel Insurance* with coverage of at least 30,000,000 Korean won (S$34,000). This only applies to short term travellers and not people moving to work or study long-term.
*not required for Korean nationals or permanent residents.
Flight Restrictions
You can only travel on certain direct flights between the two countries. Details of which flights are included later on.
Korea To Singapore VTL Requirements
Here are the requirements to travel on the Vaccinated Travel Lane from South Korea to Singapore. There are some differences between these requirements and those for travelling from Singapore to South Korea.
Purpose of Travel
Individual, group, commercial or tourism purposes are allowed on the VTL. Valid visas are also required, if applicable.
Travel Restrictions
Must not have travelled outside of South Korea, Singapore, or any other VTL country* in the last 14 days before departure.
*Singapore VTL countries include Brunei (only 1-way), Germany, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK, USA, Australia (1-way from Nov 8th, 2-way from Nov 21st), Switzerland (From Nov 8th)
Vaccination Requirements
Fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before travel with a WHO approved vaccine (Emergency Use List). Children 5 years and under do not need to be vaccinated.
Vaccination Certificates
Must be in English and issued in either Singapore, South Korea, or any other VTL country (see above). All vaccine certificates must be digitally certifiable (i.e. have a QR code for verification).
How To Get A Digital Certificate
Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP)
Travellers to Singapore must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between 30 and 7 days before travelling to Singapore. This applies to short-term visitors and long-term pass holders only.*
VTP Website
*Singaporean nationals and permanent residents do not require a VTP.
SG Arrival Card
Similar to the K-ETA, travellers to Singapore must apply for the SG Arrival Card to be able to enter the country. This must be submitted within 3 days before your arrival in Singapore.
SG Arrival Card Website
Visa Requirements
Korea citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Singapore and can travel visa free for up to 90 days. Travellers from Korea that are not Korean citizens may need a visa. Please check with the Singaporean embassy for more details.
Singapore Visa Requirements
Pre-Departure PCR Testing
You must take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test up to 48 hours (not 72 like in Korea) before departure and obtain a negative result. You must get an electronic or physical copy of the result to travel.
Incheon Airport PCR Testing
On-Arrival PCR Testing
You should book an on-arrival PCR test for the date you will arrive in Singapore. You can book this online and complete the test after clearing customs.
You must self-quarantine at a hotel or residence until you receive your negative result. If you test positive, you will have to undergo the mandatory 14 day self-quarantine.
Trace Together App
All short-term arrivals to Singapore must install the Trace Together App to record and report their health status, including any possible symptoms of COVID-19.
Travel Insurance
You must book COVID-19 Travel Insurance* with coverage of at least 30,000,000 Korean won (S$34,000). This only applies to short term travellers and not people moving to work or study long term.
*not required for Singaporean nationals, permanent residents, or long-term pass holders.
Flight Restrictions
You can only travel on certain direct flights between the two countries. Details of which flights are included next.
What Flights Are Eligible For The VTL?
There are a limited number of flights between South Korea and Singapore that are part of the Vaccinated Travel Lane. These have been designated as VTL flights and you can only travel quarantine-free on one of these flights.
If you book a non-VTL designated flight, you will have to undergo the mandatory quarantine for 7-14 days (depending on the country).
VTL Designated Flights
There are several airlines operating VTL designated flights between Singapore and South Korea. These are:
- Korean Airlines*
- Asiana Airlines*
- Singapore Airlines
- Scoot
*These airlines also operate non-VTL designated flights
Vaccinated Travel Lane designated flights are all non-stop direct flights between Singapore and South Korea.
Korean Air VTL flights
The following flights are all VTL designated flights operated by Korean Air.
Flight Number:KE646
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 01:30 – Arrive 08:50
Flight Number: KE645
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Monday, Thursday, Saturday
Flight Times: Depart 18:35 – Arrive 00:10
Asiana Airlines VTL flights
The following flights are all VTL designated flights operated by Asiana Airlines.
Flight Number: OZ752
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 23:00 – Arrive 06:20
Flight Number: OZ751
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 16:20 – Arrive 21:55
Singapore Airlines VTL flights
The following flights are all VTL designated flights operated by Singapore Airlines.
Flight Number: SQ608
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 01:25 – Arrive 08:50
Flight Number: SQ607
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 10:50 – Arrive 16:15
Flight Number: SQ600
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Flight Times: Depart 08:05 – Arrive 15:30
Flight Number: SQ601
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Flight Times: Depart 16:35 – Arrive 22:20
Scoot VTL flights
The following flights are all VTL designated flights operated by Scoot.
Flight Number: TR840
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Monday
Flight Times: Depart 01:25 – Arrive 08:50
Flight Number: TR841
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Monday
Flight Times: Depart 10:30 – Arrive 16:15
Non-VTL Designated Flights
The following flights are non-VTL designated flights, meaning you won’t be able to travel quarantine-free if you book them:
- KE643 (Korean Air) – Sunday
- OZ751 (Asiana) – Saturday
Where To Book VTL Designated Flights
You can book Vaccinated Travel Lane flights on any major flight-checker website.
Be sure to check that these are VTL designated flights and it would probably be best to book flexible tickets, just in case. The small extra expense can save you a lot if things go wrong.
Staying In Seoul?
Looking for somewhere to stay when you visit Seoul? Then check out these hotel recommendations for the best prices and most comfortable stays in Korea’s capital.
FAQ About The Vaccinated Travel Lane
Who Can Travel On The Singapore Korea VTL?
Anyone who has been fully vaccinated for at least 2 weeks before departure with a WHO EUL approved vaccine with an approved vaccine certificate (digital only for Singapore) in English may travel on the Singapore Korea Vaccinated Travel Lane. Other conditions apply, such as residing in the country for at least 14 days before departure.
Can I Use The Singapore Korea VTL If I’m Not Vaccinated?
No, only fully vaccinated people who have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before departure can travel on the Singapore Korea Vaccinated Travel Lane.
Can Unvaccinated Children Travel On The Singapore Korea VTL?
Children 5 years and younger do not need to be vaccinated and can travel on the Singapore Korea Vaccinated Travel Lane. However, children 6 and over need to be fully vaccinated to use the VTL. This may be an issue for families travelling with unvaccinated children.
Can I Use Any Flight For The Singapore Korea VTL?
No, you must use specific VTL-designated flights to be eligible to use the Singapore Korea Vaccinated Travel Lane. If you book a flight that isn’t a VTL-designated flight, you will have to do the mandatory quarantine present in either country.
Do I Need To Take A PCR Test To Use The VTL?
Yes, you will need to take a PCR test before travelling (48 or 72 hours before, depending on the country of arrival) and once you arrive at the airport. You should book these in advance to avoid delays.
Where Can I Stay In Seoul While Waiting For My PCR Results?
There is no official list of hotels that will accept guests who are self-quarantining after arriving at Incheon Airport. Some Seoul hotels may not accept such guests. It is best to book a hotel near Incheon airport and contact them before travelling to be sure they accept guests awaiting PCR results.
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