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Vaccination Update in Korea as of May 31, 2021
A few weeks back, the Korean government announced that people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 in Korea will be exempted from self-quarantine. This is positive news in certain area, however, it only partially helps as the Korean administration’s vaccination process is currently only advancing by a moderate speed.
Incoming Vaccinated Travellers from Overseas
In the initial communication, it was stated that people who are vaccinated overseas with one of the vaccines approved by the Korean government are also exempted from self-quarantine – this nevertheless was later revised and thus, this travel facilitation only applies for the time being to people who have received vaccination in Korea.
The ECCK, beside other organizations has requested the Korean government on April 16, 2021, to also include incoming foreign travellers who are vaccinated outside Korea into the scope.
The situation as of today is that governments have not yet reached an agreement on that; but we are cautiously optimistic to see a progress in the next coming months.
The Member States of the European Union has agreed and thus expect that an EU Digital Green Pass will be deployed as from July 1, 2021, which seems to be a condition for the Korean government to grant also vaccinated travellers from overseas the exemption of quarantining. The ECCK assumes – as we have not yet received official confirmation – that similar activities have been initiated in the EFTA member states and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The ECCK has re-requested the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) in a letter dated May 28, 2021, to grant incoming vaccinated international travellers the same rights as people being vaccinated in Korea.
Vaccination for Foreign Residents in Korea
The Korean government is proceeding with its vaccination plan focusing firstly on the risk groups classified by age plus some system relevant groups of people. The majority of foreign residents does not fall in those categories thus in most of the cases must be patient and wait for their turn.
Nevertheless, there are two ways to get vaccinations here in Korea even if you are not in among priority groups.
Update on Real Time Search of Booking of “No-show” Vaccines
The possibility to register for the vaccination of leftover vaccines for people younger then 60, has been revoked just a few days after Naver and Kakao launched their online tools. Thus the only method for receiving earlier vaccination is to apply via Business Travel Support Center (BTSC) at the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).
Vaccination Coordinated by Business Travel Support Center @ KITA
The second possible procedure is organized by the Business Travel Support Center (BTSC) at the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), and the application will be examined by the government authorities that your company is related to the most. Upon submission, the respective authorities will report the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) your eligibility for vaccination. For example, an insurance company would apply to the Financial Services Commission (FSC).
Eligibility
A person who is planning an inevitable overseas trip to perform a very important business activity, which requires physical presence on site. The business trip shall be planned at least two months before the departure date and meet both of the following requirements:
The country that you will visit requires a vaccination certificate orthe country is classified as a High-Risk Country. You will find the list of the countries on btsc.or.kr.
The financial importance of the trip must be recognized and approved by the relevant government department once the application is submitted to the BTSC.
Process
Application: Must be submitted least 60 days before the departure date
Send the following documents to btscvc@kita.net, please note that the subject of the email must consist of (in order): Company Name_Application Date_Departure date_Industry Category.
Copy of passport & copy of alien registration card.
Employment Certificate issued by your company.
Business Registration Certificate of your company.
Plane tickets (you need the issued/paid tickets, not the confirmation of reservation)
An official request form from the country (or the company which you visit) requiring the vaccination. If the country belongs to the list of “High-Risk Country” posted on the website btsc.or.kr, you don’t need to submit this document.
A document which proves the financial importance of the trip: e.g. contract, agreement, invitation, business trip schedule, etc.
The BTSC will contact you if they need any supplementary documents; ie one or two days after the submission of the application.
The BTSC will let you know by email after transferring your file to the government department relevant to your industry. The transfer of your file will be done two or three days after the submission of the application. It’s the BTSC that designates the relevant government office.
The government department will examine your file which will take up to 2 weeks.
If they approve it, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) will approve the request and inform you within 7 days from the approval of the government department.
You make a reservation for vaccination at least 30 days before the departure date.
Receive a vaccine at the public health center in your district.
Vaccination Update in Korea as of May 31, 2021
A few weeks back, the Korean government announced that people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 in Korea will be exempted from self-quarantine. This is positive news in certain area, however, it only partially helps as the Korean administration’s vaccination process is currently only advancing by a moderate speed.
In the initial communication, it was stated that people who are vaccinated overseas with one of the vaccines approved by the Korean government are also exempted from self-quarantine – this nevertheless was later revised and thus, this travel facilitation only applies for the time being to people who have received vaccination in Korea.
The ECCK, beside other organizations has requested the Korean government on April 16, 2021, to also include incoming foreign travellers who are vaccinated outside Korea into the scope.
The situation as of today is that governments have not yet reached an agreement on that; but we are cautiously optimistic to see a progress in the next coming months.
The Member States of the European Union has agreed and thus expect that an EU Digital Green Pass will be deployed as from July 1, 2021, which seems to be a condition for the Korean government to grant also vaccinated travellers from overseas the exemption of quarantining. The ECCK assumes – as we have not yet received official confirmation – that similar activities have been initiated in the EFTA member states and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The ECCK has re-requested the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) in a letter dated May 28, 2021, to grant incoming vaccinated international travellers the same rights as people being vaccinated in Korea.
The Korean government is proceeding with its vaccination plan focusing firstly on the risk groups classified by age plus some system relevant groups of people. The majority of foreign residents does not fall in those categories thus in most of the cases must be patient and wait for their turn.
Nevertheless, there are two ways to get vaccinations here in Korea even if you are not in among priority groups.
The possibility to register for the vaccination of leftover vaccines for people younger then 60, has been revoked just a few days after Naver and Kakao launched their online tools. Thus the only method for receiving earlier vaccination is to apply via Business Travel Support Center (BTSC) at the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).
The second possible procedure is organized by the Business Travel Support Center (BTSC) at the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), and the application will be examined by the government authorities that your company is related to the most. Upon submission, the respective authorities will report the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) your eligibility for vaccination. For example, an insurance company would apply to the Financial Services Commission (FSC).
Eligibility
A person who is planning an inevitable overseas trip to perform a very important business activity, which requires physical presence on site. The business trip shall be planned at least two months before the departure date and meet both of the following requirements:
Process
Send the following documents to btscvc@kita.net, please note that the subject of the email must consist of (in order): Company Name_Application Date_Departure date_Industry Category.
Downloadable Files: