South Korea to allow three countries’ nationals to enter it visa-free until April 2018

South Korea will allow nationals of Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam to enter it without a visa through Yangyang International Airport until April 2018, as Pyeong Chang plays host to the Winter Olympics in February. The South Korean government has also decided to extend discounts on electronic visas for tourist groups from China until 2018. They were supposed to expire on 31 December 2017. Kim Dong-yeon, the South Korean finance minister, while saying this at a meeting for discussing tourism revitalization on 10 November, was quoted by Korea Times as saying that tourism exchange between China and South Korea would witness progress through the South Korea-China summit. He added that they would have a meeting to develop tourism strategies and gather opinions from the tourism industry and initiate necessary steps. Meanwhile, visa requirement would be waived for Chinese cruise ship passengers. In addition, Southeast Asian tourists who have visited member countries of OECD will be entitled to possess multiple-entry visas. Docked at Sokcho, an eastern port city of South Korea, will be two large cruise ships during the Olympics to provide accommodation in 2,200 rooms for visitors. Included in tourism packages are a K-drama locations tour, a K-pop concert tour and meetings with K-pop stars. Regulations will be less stringent in qualification tests for interpreters of Thai, Vietnamese and Arabic languages for the Olympics. The Southeast Asian country will expand the interpretation service for visitors from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. A 72-hour transit tour program will be made available for international travellers transiting at Incheon International Airport, allowing them to enter the country visa-free and providing a stay of three days. More such programs are on the anvil for foreign travellers in transit. Moreover, for the benefit of tourists, improvements are being made to public transportation improvements. Fixed-rate taxi fees will be imposed by the government in designated sectors to avoid foreign travellers from being overcharged. If you are looking to travel to South Korea, get in touch with Y-Axis, a leading firm for immigration services, to apply for a visa.