Chinese group tourists will be able to enter Korea without a visa from the end of September until June 30 of next year. This is the first time the government has allowed visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists without any restrictions.
On the 6th, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok held the first meeting of the 'Tourism Revitalization Mini Policy Task Force' composed of joint government departments.
Previously, China allowed Korean citizens to enter without a visa for the first time in November last year. In response, our government has been considering the mutual measure of allowing visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists. There is also a purpose of revitalizing domestic tourism.
The government has decided to grant simplified entry inspection benefits to participants of international conferences with more than 300 foreign attendees. Currently, foreign participants must number over 500 to receive expedited screening (fast track) benefits, and this standard has been relaxed. Additionally, this system will be operated provisionally until the end of next year and will be formalized from the year after next.
Furthermore, the government will allow hospitals and patient attraction agencies that have attracted over 500 foreign patients in the past year to apply for 'medical tourism excellent attraction institutions' that will receive benefits such as electronic visa applications starting this month. Currently, the requirement is to have attracted at least 30 medical tourists or treated more than 500 foreign patients, but this application standard has been relaxed.