Travel requirements for South Korea
Everything a UK traveller needs to know before visiting South Korea — passport and visa rules, recommended vaccines with lead times, and whether you need an International Driving Permit.
Entry requirements for South Korea
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you arrive.
Visas
British passport holders normally need a visa (Other) to enter.
Source: UK Foreign Travel Advice — South Korea. Always confirm the latest requirements before you travel.
Vaccines for travel to South Korea
Based on NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro guidance for UK travellers. Lead times assume protection is needed on the day you arrive.
-
Tetanus / Diphtheria Recommended
Booster recommended if last dose was more than 10 years ago.
-
2 weeks before travelHepatitis A Consider
Recommended for those staying with local populations, frequent or long-stay travellers, adventure travellers, and those with liver disease.
-
3 weeks before travelHepatitis B Consider
Intermediate/high prevalence. Recommended for those with sexual risk, healthcare workers, and long-stay travellers.
-
4 weeks before travelJapanese Encephalitis Consider
Transmission season May–November. Recommended for 1+ month stays in endemic areas or frequent travellers. Not routinely recommended for short trips to Seoul.
-
4 weeks before travelRabies (Pre-exposure) Consider
Pre-exposure for high-risk workers, remote area travellers, and long stays (1+ month).
-
Tuberculosis (BCG) Consider
Driving in South Korea
To drive in South Korea with a UK driving licence, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
IDPs are issued by PayPoint (no longer the Post Office) — find an issuing store.
Plan your South Korea trip in Trek Ready
Free, private, no account needed. Log the vaccines you already have and see what's left.
Start planning →