Departure/Entry of Korean Nationals Residing Abroad
Departure Procedure- When a Korean national residing overseas intends to depart from Korea to a region outside Korea, a valid passport must be presented for a departure inspection by an immigration officer at the port of departure. However, if departure via a port of departure/entry is not possible due to a special reason, permission by the head of a local public office in charge of immigration and foreign nationals must be acquired before departing through a location other than a port of departure/entry after receiving a departure inspection by an immigration officer (Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Immigration Control Act).
- Individuals who depart without undergoing a departure inspection may be subject to imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 20 million won (Subparagraph 1 of Article 94 of the Immigration Control Act).
Arrival Procedure- When a Korean national residing overseas intends to enter Korea from a region outside Korea, a valid passport must be presented for an arrival inspection by an immigration officer at the port of arrival. However, if arrival via a port of departure/entry is not possible due to a special reason, permission by the head of a local public office in charge of immigration and foreign nationals must be acquired before entering through a location other than a port of departure/entry after receiving an arrival inspection by an immigration officer (Paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the Immigration Control Act).
- Individuals who arrive without undergoing an arrival inspection may be subject to imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won (Subparagraph 1 of Article 95 of the Immigration Control Act).