The Ministry of Justice has addressed reports suggesting that the visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists should be postponed due to missing address entries caused by a fire at the National Information Resources Service (NIRS). They clarified that Chinese group tourists entering under the visa waiver program are not required to submit electronic entry declarations.
On Monday, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement explaining that Chinese group tourists entering under the visa waiver program submit their personal information prior to arrival. This includes details regarding their designated travel agencies, entry and exit ports, planned dates of entry and exit, and domestic accommodation. The information is collected through HiKorea, a system managed by agencies under the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry also explained that it screens the submitted lists for high-risk individuals, such as those with entry restrictions or a history of illegal residency; those identified as high-risk are excluded from the visa waiver program.
A fire on September 26 disrupted the retrieval of address information for electronic entry declarations, rendering it impossible to input accommodation addresses online.
In response, the Ministry issued an emergency notice on September 27, instructing travelers to submit electronic entry declarations without filling in the address section.
The Incheon Airport Immigration and Foreign Affairs Office, which processes the highest number of foreign entrants, announced that immigration officers would verify and input accommodation information if it was missing from the electronic entry declaration. The following day, headquarters directed all immigration offices at airports and ports nationwide to ensure the thorough entry of foreign entrants’ accommodation addresses.
As of that morning, NIRS’s address information has been restored, and the input of accommodation addresses in electronic entry declarations has returned to normal operation.
The Ministry of Justice affirmed its commitment to ensuring safe national management through rigorous immigration checks and enhanced identity verification of entrants.
