Traveling to Korea (post covid)

As I'm now in the Taxi on the way to the hotel, I can say there wasn't enough information "on google" about what the travel process is like for South Korea vis a vis the May 2022 covid policies. So I'll tell you what I experienced as a vacation traveller on a US passport.

First, 72 hours or more before you travel you should get a k-eta electronic visa. Apparently this is new as of last year and really isn't related to covid. There is an app for this - a little clunky finding your hotel but one or two tries should get your application submitted. Luckily I got approved within about 10 minutes or I'd I would bot have been allowed to board the aircraft. I recommend printing out the final approval information to show the checkin agent and boarding agents and saving a screen grab on your phone.

Second, is the new q-code website. It requires proof of vaccination (you need to be fully boosted more or less). I uploaded my CDC vaccine card (3 times actually). It also requires a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours from your departure time which is too close for comfort. I used CVS minute clinic and got my results in time but just barely. Next time I would use a service that has a guarantee of 24 hours or less. Make sure your DOB and other information is correct! Lastly you need your hotel information and your passport info to get your qr-code. This website was a little clunky and I had to run through stuff I couple of times. Obviously print this out as well and save a screen grab of the q-code.

On arrival, you'll need both of these again multiple times.

Within 24 hours of arrival you need to take another PCR test. I did this at the airport though they said you could do it at a hospital. You need your q-code again. 

Then roughly a week later you need to test again though this test can be a rapid test. I haven't done this step yet though I'll update this post when I do.