Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of Korea

The Embassy of Switzerland will be closed on Monday 1 June 2020.

Embassy of Switzerland in Seoul © Erae Architects

As the official representation of Switzerland, the Embassy covers all matters concerning diplomatic relations between the two countries. It represents Swiss interests in the areas of political, economic and financial affairs, legal arrangements, science, education and culture.

The tasks of the embassy

Best moments of the inauguration year of the new Swiss Embassy in Seoul

The opening of the new Embassy building in 2019 was a moment of genuine joy, a celebration we shall always remember! In order to commemorate the first anniversary of these events, we would like to share with you a short video on this very special year.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear Madam/Sir,
Dear Swiss citizens,

Visa

The visa services will resume as follows:

Beginning June 8, 2020:

National type D visas for studies and family reunification for family members of all nationalities.
Work visas

No Schengen visa applications type C are accepted for short-term stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area for tourism, business or visit. It will also only be issued in exceptional cases.

It is at the moment unfortunately unclear when the situation will allow the issuance of Schengen visas again. As soon as the acceptance of visa applications is possible, it will be published on this website.

For additional information, please consult the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM.

Visa waiver agreement (entry into force 13.4.2020 00h00 CET)

Korean authorities have informed us that the visa waiver agreement that allowed visa-free entry to the Republic of Korea for Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens will no longer be in force effective 13 April 00h00 CET. As a consequence, Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens will need a visa to enter the Republic of Korea.

Embassy services

The Swiss Compensation Office in Geneva (SAK / CSC / CSC) accepts - due to the current situation, delays in postal traffic and difficulties in contacting the competent authorities - temporary life certificates by e-mail to the following address: sedmaster@zas.admin.ch. These can be confirmed by the insured by means of their signature. (No official stamp).

Recommendations for Swiss tourists

Given the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 the Swiss government on 16 March 2020 has recommended that all Swiss nationals or persons residing in Switzerland travelling abroad do return swiftly to Switzerland. They are requested to organize their departure and return travel, if necessary with the help of a travel agency or transport company.

Please be aware that organizing the return travel is each tourist’s personal responsibility. In doing so, detours and additional costs may occur and must be accepted. There is no legal entitlement to an organized departure (evacuation), even in a crisis situation.

For your convenience, and on an indicative basis only, the Embassy of Switzerland in Seoul learned that the following airlines are flying directly from Incheon airport to Europe at the moment:

Asiana (Frankfurt)
Korean Air (London/Paris/Amsterdam/Frankfurt)
KLM (Amsterdam)
LOT (Warsaw/Budapest available from 2 June)

Please be aware that this information can change at any time. You must regularly check with the airlines. Therefore, it is important to organize your flight home as soon as possible.

If you travel abroad, please register the dates of your trip on Itineris

Mask distribution places for foreign residents in Seoul without health insurance: global.seoul.go.kr/index.do

Special entry procedures adopted by the government of the Republic of Korea (entry into force 1.4.2020 00h00 CET)

At the immigration,

Travelers from Europe with symptoms will be tested.
- If positive, admitted to hospital or treatment center
- If negative, self-quarantine for 14 days at home or facility for short-term travelers
Travelers form Europe without symptoms will be tested.
- Long term (living in Korea): self-quarantine for 14 days, testing within 3 days
- Short term (not living in Korea): tested at airport, quarantine at facility for 14 days.
- If positive, admitted to hospital or treatment center.
All in-bound travelers are required to download the Self-Quarantine Safety and Protection App on their smartphone. In case travelers violate the self-quarantine order and leave the designated location without justifiable reasons, they may be subject to fine or deportation.

The Embassy wishes you and your loved ones to stay safe and healthy during these challenging times!

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Please follow the prevention recommendations from the local Korean authorities, especially the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and download the Emergency Ready App available on IoS and Android.

For additional information in a Swiss national language or in English, the following homepages might be useful :

Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) > New coronavirus (de,fr,it)

World Health Organisation (WHO)

Safetravel.ch, also contains addresses of institutes for travel medicine.

Communication of 29.01.2020 (PDF, 401.0 kB, English)

Communication of 25.02.2020 (PDF, 390.2 kB, English)

Communication of 28.02.2020 (PDF, 379.0 kB, English)

Communication of 16.03.2020 (PDF, 327.2 kB, English)

Measures Federal Council – airlines, 17.03.2020 (PDF, 530.2 kB, English)

Recommendations for Swiss tourists, 19.03.2020 (PDF, 519.2 kB, English)

Communication of 30.03.2020 (PDF, 412.0 kB, English)

Implemented measures, 30.03.2020 (PDF, 475.7 kB, English)

New re-entry permit visa, 25.05.2020 (PDF, 464.4 kB, English)

Warning to future students and interns in Korea

The Embassy was informed by some students and interns that they were victims of fraud while trying to rent a studio or flat in Seoul. Therefore, if you rent an apartment, please do not make any advance payments. Payments should only be made when you move into the rented property. Otherwise, you may be caught by fraudsters and lose your money.