Korea Priority Card
The South Korean government announced on March 29 that 22 countries, including the United States, Japan and Taiwan, would be exempted from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) requirement going into effect on April 1 this year until Dec. 31, 2024. This measure is to facilitate entry in the interest of the tourism industry and consumption in South Korea.
In the same context, the government announced measures for medical tourists, high-income foreigners, and young foreigners. According to the measures, high-income foreigners who are not employed in South Korea are expected to be allowed to stay in South Korea for a couple of years and young foreigners’ entry for cultural purposes is expected to become easier.
“When it comes to the medical tourism part, the number of medical institutions capable of electronic visa applications for foreign patients will be increased to 50 from the current level of 27,” it said, adding, “As for the Korea Priority Card, the issuance will be expanded so that tourists can consume more in South Korea.”
The card is to provide various conveniences related to entry and exit. At present, the card can be given to foreigners whose five-year purchases in the country equal US$30,000 or more and those who deposit 100 million won (US$76,657) or more into it.