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South Korea

Varies

ASIA-PACIFIC

Felon entry rules

  • VISA WAIVER — U.S. citizens can typically enter for up to 90 days under the K-ETA system or may require a visa; rules have fluctuated. Verify current K-ETA status.
  • Immigration Act of Korea: persons who have been sentenced to imprisonment of less than 5 years may be denied until 5 years after end of sentence; persons sentenced to 5+ years may be denied until 10 years after end of sentence.
  • These are discretionary bars, not mandatory — but the thresholds are well-established.
  • Drug offences trigger separate bars under Korean law.

Registered person entry rules

  • Sexual offences involving minors fall within the imprisonment-bar categories above.
  • Korea has its own sex offender registry (Act on Protection of Children and Youth from Sexual Abuse).
  • IML notifications transmitted.
  • Korea is known to deny entry based on IML notifications.

IML notice

21-day advance notice applies for covered registered persons.

Yes — 21-day advance notice required for covered registered persons (sex offenses against minors). U.S. law obligation; CBP/Angel Watch Center notifies destination country.

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