SOUTH KOREA. Issuing Authorities

Transcription

1 SOUTH KOREA Issuing Authorities Korean Embassy 265 Melk Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk Pretoria, 0181 PO Box 939 Groenkloof 0027 Tel: (012) (Visas) / (012) (Embassy) Web: embsa@mofa.go.kr O/Hrs: Visa section: Mon-Fri 08: ONLY for visas Page 1 of 6

2 Visa Requirements No visas are required by South African passport holders if travelling for tourism or business purposes up to 30 days under the condition they will not engage in remunerative activities during their stay. If staying longer than 30 days, a visa is required and should be obtained prior to arrival. Page 2 of 6

3 SA Representative South African Embassy 1-37 Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Ku, Seoul , South Korea Tel: (0082-2) Fax: (0082-2) Website: Page 3 of 6

4 Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: None Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio Malaria Risk The capital Seoul stretches out along the Han River in the centre of the Korean Peninsula. With a population of over 10 million people, it is one of the largest cities in the world and has become an increasingly useful Asia-Pacific stopover point, or a hub for a three-centre Korea-China-Japan cultural trip. Shop until you drop in the countless markets and malls of Seoul with many shops providing special duty-free prices for foreigners. Hike in the three national parks, Seoraksan, Odaesan and Chuwangsan, each accessible from the East Coast highway. Seoraksan National Park, the northernmost, is widely considered to offer the most beautiful scenery in Korea. For winter sports, there is the Alps Ski Resort, and another 12 ski resorts within four or five hours of Seoul. The city of Pyeongchang has plenty of action, such as the Dragon Valley (Yongpyong). Odaesan National Park is also known for its ski resorts. Official Name: Local Official Name: Local Name: Capital: Currency: Language: Republic of Korea Taehan-min'guk Han'guk Seoul (SEL) South Korean Won (KRW) Korean (Hangeul). English may be understood. Dialling code from SA: + 82 Time Zones: Public Holidays 2018: UTC / GMT +9 (7 hours ahead of South Africa) Jan 1; Feb 15-17; Mar 1; May 5, 22; Jun 6, 13; Aug 15; Sep 23-25; Oct 3, 9; Dec 25 Side of the Road: Right Page 4 of 6

5 Best Time to Go: Best For: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Travel Tips / Warnings: Duty Free: March May (spring) and September November (Autumn) Religious Sites and Temples, National Parks, Theme Parks 220 volts AC, 60Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used. Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, but bottled water may be preferred by travellers and is widely available. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities in the major cities, however visitors are required to pay for these services upfront. In more rural areas, healthcare facilities may less frequent. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. English may not be understood in the hospitals. The concept of saving face is very important in Korean culture - avoid confronting, embarrassing or offending people. Shoes should be removed before entering homes, temples and guesthouses. Do not stick your chopsticks straight up into the rice. The number 4 is considered unlucky and giving gifts in multiples 4 should be avoided. Identification should be carried at all times. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities, hotels and restaurants, but not in rural towns and small businesses. Due to tensions between North and South Korea, it is advisable to check the local political situation. The following goods may be imported into South Korea by travellers aged 19 and over without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes 1 bottle of alcohol up to 1L 60ml of perfume Other goods to the value of US$400 Page 5 of 6

6 Prohibited Imports: Prohibited Exports: Prohibited and restricted goods include weapons, food (small quantities allowed, but you must declare it), counterfeit goods and money, publications infringing upon the constitution and public peace, narcotics and endangered species. The export of counterfeit goods is taken very seriously and can be subject to a prison sentenc Page 6 of 6