The recently announced Korea & Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) is due to begin on November 15th, 2021, allowing quarantine-free travel between Singapore and South Korea for tourists and other travellers.

After months of restricted travel, this is a welcome first step towards a return to normal air travel. However, there are still a number of restrictions in place and rules that must be followed to be able to enjoy quarantine-free travel on the Korea & Singapore VTL.

Travel between Singapore and South Korea on the Vaccinated Travel Lane is not the same in each direction. Requirements in Singapore and South Korea are different and, if you plan on making a return journey, you will need to be aware of both sets of VTL requirements.

This article provides details of all of those requirements, as well as links to relevant websites to book PCR tests, arrange entry visas, and more.

I hope this will take the stress out of travelling and make your trip safe, smooth and enjoyable.

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What Is The Vaccinated Travel Lane?

The Korea & Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane is a travel bubble between the two countries that allows fully vaccinated people to travel without having to quarantine on arrival.

It begins on November 15th, 2021, and is open for all travellers moving between the two countries, including those who are travelling for tourism.

At present, there are a number of conditions and restricted to the Vaccinated Travel Lane that can be confusing.

To avoid any problems when travelling between Singapore and Korea, this article will cover who can travel (plus exceptions), how to travel without quarantine, and which flights you can take for the VTL.

Who Can Use The Vaccinated Travel Lane?

The following people are eligible to use the Vaccinated Travel Lane between South Korea and Singapore:

• People who have been in Singapore or South Korea for at least 14 days before travelling.*
• People who have been fully vaccinated in either Singapore or South Korea.*
• Unvaccinated children 5 years and younger.

*Travellers to Singapore may also travel or be vaccinated in other VTL countries

There are some important things to note about who is or isn’t eligible when considering whether or not you can use the VTL.

1. You need to remain in Singapore or South Korea for 14 days before travelling. You can’t travel to a 3rd country within these 14 days or you will be ineligible to travel with the VTL.
2. Your vaccine certificate must be in English and issued in either Singapore or South Korea. There are exceptions for travellers who are going to Singapore, explained later.
3. Unvaccinated children over the age of 5 years old (6+) will not be able to travel on the VTL from Singapore to South Korea. This will be a problem for children aged 6 – 11 years of age as they aren’t able to get vaccinated at present.

The next section will explain more about vaccination and other requirements for travelling between Singapore and South Korea through the VTL.

Korea & Singapore VTL Requirements

This section will explain the requirements for travelling between Singapore and South Korea using the Vaccinated Travel Lanes.

There are different rules for travelling from Singapore to South Korea or from South Korea to Singapore. I’ll break these down in the two sections below.

If you plan to book a return trip, please be aware of the different requirements for each leg of the journey.

1: Singapore To Korea VTL Requirements.

Here are the requirements to travel on the Vaccinated Travel Lane from Singapore to South Korea. Details of travel from South Korea to Singapore are covered in the next section.

Purpose of Travel: Individual, group, commercial or tourism purposes are allowed on the VTL. Valid visas are also required, if applicable.

Travel Restrictions: Must not have travelled outside of Singapore in the last 14 days before departure.

Vaccination Requirements: Fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before travel with a WHO approved vaccine (Emergency Use List). Children 5 years and under do not need to be vaccinated.

Vaccination Certificates: must be in English and issued in Singapore or South Korea.

K-ETA Visa Requirements: All travellers to Korea from Singapore must have an approved K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) visa before travelling to Korea. This can be done online on the K-ETA website.

*Korean nationals and permanent residents do not require a K-ETA.

K-ETA website

*The K-ETA for Singapore is not yet active, but should be available before the start of the VTL on November 15th.

Visa Requirements: Singaporean citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Korea and can travel visa-free for up to 90 days. Travellers from Singapore that are not Singaporean citizens may need a visa. Please check with the Korean embassy for more details.

Pre-Departure PCR Testing: You must take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test up to 72 hours before departure and obtain a negative result. You must get an electronic or physical copy of the result to travel.

Singapore PCR Test Locations

On-Arrival PCR Testing: You should book an on-arrival PCR test for the date you will arrive in South Korea. You can book this online and complete the test after clearing customs.

Incheon Airport PCR Testing

*You must self-quarantine at a hotel or residence until you receive your negative result. If you test positive, you will have to undergo the mandatory 10 day self-quarantine provided at a Korean government facility.

Further PCR Tests: If you’re staying for more than 7 days, you must get a second PCR test on Day 6 or Day 7 (your arrival day is Day 0). After the test, you must self-quarantine again at your hotel until you get the results.

Self-Check Mobile App: All arrivals to Korea must install the Self-Check Mobile App to record and report their health status, including any possible symptoms of COVID-19.

Self-Check Mobile App

Travel Insurance: You must book COVID-19 Travel Insurance* with coverage of at least 30,000,000 Korean won (S$34,000). This only applies to short term travellers and not people moving to work or study long-term.

COVID-19 Travel Insurance

*not required for Korean nationals or permanent residents.

Flight Restrictions: You can only travel on certain direct flights between the two countries. Details of which flights are included later on.

2: Korea To Singapore VTL Requirements

Here are the requirements to travel on the Vaccinated Travel Lane from South Korea to Singapore. There are some differences between these requirements and those for travelling from Singapore to South Korea.

Purpose of Travel: Individual, group, commercial or tourism purposes are allowed on the VTL. Valid visas are also required, if applicable.

Travel Restrictions: Must not have travelled outside of South Korea, Singapore, or any other VTL country* in the last 14 days before departure.

*Singapore VTL countries include Brunei (only 1-way), Germany, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK, USA, Australia (1-way from Nov 8th, 2-way from Nov 21st), Switzerland (From Nov 8th)

Vaccination Requirements: Fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before travel with a WHO approved vaccine (Emergency Use List). Children 5 years and under do not need to be vaccinated.

Vaccination Certificates: must be in English and issued in either Singapore, South Korea, or any other VTL country (see above). All vaccine certificates must be digitally certifiable (i.e. have a QR code for verification).

Apply For A VTP In Advance: Travellers to Singapore must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between 30 and 7 days before travelling to Singapore. This applies to short-term visitors and long-term pass holders only.*

VTP Website

*Singaporean nationals and permanent residents do not require a VTP.

SG Arrival Card: Similar to the K-ETA, travellers to Singapore must apply for the SG Arrival Card to be able to enter the country. This must be submitted within 3 days before your arrival in Singapore.

SG Arrival Card Website

Visa Requirements: Korea citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Singapore and can travel visa free for up to 90 days. Travellers from Korea that are not Korean citizens may need a visa. Please check with the Singaporean embassy for more details.

Singapore Visa Requirements

Pre-Departure PCR Testing: You must take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test up to 48 hours (not 72 like in Korea) before departure and obtain a negative result. You must get an electronic or physical copy of the result to travel.

Incheon Airport PCR Testing

On-Arrival PCR Testing: You should book an on-arrival PCR test for the date you will arrive in Singapore. You can book this online and complete the test after clearing customs.

Changi Airport PCR Test

*You must self-quarantine at a hotel or residence until you receive your negative result. If you test positive, you will have to undergo the mandatory 14 day self-quarantine.

Trace Together App: All short-term arrivals to Singapore must install the Trace Together App to record and report their health status, including any possible symptoms of COVID-19.

Trace Together App

Travel Insurance: You must book COVID-19 Travel Insurance* with coverage of at least 30,000,000 Korean won (S$34,000). This only applies to short term travellers and not people moving to work or study long term.

COVID-19 Travel Insurance

*not required for Singaporean nationals, permanent residents, or long-term pass holders.

Flight Restrictions: You can only travel on certain direct flights between the two countries. Details of which flights are included next.

What Flights Are Eligible For The VTL?

There are a limited number of flights between South Korea and Singapore that are part of the Vaccinated Travel Lane. These have been designated as VTL flights and you can only travel quarantine-free on one of these flights.

If you book a non-VTL designated flight, you will have to undergo the mandatory quarantine for 7-14 days (depending on the country).

VTL Designated Flights

There are several airlines operating VTL designated flights between Singapore and South Korea. These are:

• Korean Airlines*
• Asiana Airlines*
• Singapore Airlines
• Scoot

*These airlines also operate non-VTL designated flights

Vaccinated Travel Lane designated flights are all non-stop direct flights between Singapore and South Korea.

Korean Air VTL flights

The following flights are all VTL designated flights operated by Korean Air.

Flight Number:KE646
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 01:30 – Arrive 08:50

Flight Number: KE645
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Monday, Thursday, Saturday
Flight Times: Depart 18:35 – Arrive 00:10

Asiana Airlines VTL flights

The following flights are all VTL designated flights operated by Asiana Airlines.

Flight Number: OZ752
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 23:00 – Arrive 06:20

Flight Number: OZ751*
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 16:20 – Arrive 21:55

*This route is not expected to operate until December 5th, 2021

Singapore Airlines VTL flights

The following flights are all VTL designated flights operated by Singapore Airlines.

Flight Number: SQ608
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 01:25 – Arrive 08:50

Flight Number: SQ607
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Flight Times: Depart 10:50 – Arrive 16:15

Flight Number: SQ600
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Flight Times: Depart 08:05 – Arrive 15:30

Flight Number: SQ601
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Flight Times: Depart 16:35 – Arrive 22:20

Scoot VTL flights

The following flights are all VTL designated flights operated by Scoot.

Flight Number: TR840
Route: Singapore to South Korea
Operating Days: Monday
Flight Times: Depart 01:25 – Arrive 08:50

Flight Number: TR841
Route: South Korea to Singapore
Operating Days: Monday
Flight Times: Depart 10:30 – Arrive 16:15

Non-VTL Designated Flights

The following flights are non-VTL designated flights, meaning you won’t be able to travel quarantine-free if you book them:

• KE643 (Korean Air) – Sunday
• OZ751 (Asiana) – Saturday

Where To Book VTL Designated Flights

You can book Vaccinated Travel Lane flights on any major flight-checker website.

Be sure to check that these are VTL designated flights and it would probably be best to book flexible tickets, just in case. The small extra expense can save you a lot if things go wrong.

Travelling To Korea This Winter?

Do you dream of seeing the royal palaces of Seoul covered in snow? Want to experience freezing cold temperatures (and below)? Not sure where to visit and what to do during this frosty season?

Then check out some of my other articles about travelling to Korea during winter for the best places to see snow, winter activities to enjoy, and the best foods to keep you warm.

Where To See Snow In Seoul

What To Do In Winter

Amazing Korean Winter Food

If you’re looking for some great activities to enjoy in South Korea this winter, why not check out Jeju Island, a semi-tropical wonder of the world that has snow, fresh oranges, and palm trees all in one place.

Jeju Island In Winter

FAQ About The Vaccinated Travel Lane

Share Your Thoughts

If you enjoyed reading this article, or if you have any thoughts about it that you want to share, please feel free to leave a message in the comments below. I’d love to hear your feedback about this article and the subject.

If you have any more questions about travelling to Korea or the VTL, then you can also ask in the Korea Travel Advice group on Facebook.

Korea Travel Advice Group

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