Chinese tourists still subject to South Korean immigration rules, contrary to online claims

"From September 29, when Chinese enter South Korea: No visa needed; no original passports needed; they do not need to reveal their accommodation address; even if they are carrying an infectious disease, this will only become known if they report it themselves," reads Korean-language text in an image shared September 29 on Threads.

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Screenshot of a Threads post captured September 30, 2025, with a red X added by AFP

The post appeared the same day the South Korean government introduced a temporary visa-free scheme for Chinese group tourists. The policy, which runs until June 30, 2026, allows groups of three or more people travelling on organised package tours to enter the country without applying for visas in advance (archived link). 

Officials said the plan aims to boost tourism and support local businesses, particularly in areas such as Myeong-dong in Seoul, which has seen a surge in Chinese visitors since the scheme began (archived link). 

But the announcement also fueled a wave of anti-Chinese sentiment online, with conspiracy theories warning of crime and disease spreading unchecked. Demonstrations against Chinese immigration have also taken place across the country (archived link). 

Identical claims spread on Instagram, as well as on South Korean forums Nate Pann and Ilbe. The posts portray the visa-free measure as a threat to public safety. 

However, the Justice Ministry told AFP the rumours are false.

Spokesperson Hwang Gyu-taek on October 2 said the visa-free policy applies "only to Chinese tourists travelling in groups of three or more through travel agencies that have been pre-approved by the South Korean government." Individual travellers remain subject to existing visa requirements, which need to be met in advance.

He added that "a valid passport is mandatory for all foreign arrivals regardless of visa status." 

All visitors must complete the electronic arrival card, which requires details such as accommodation, contact information and purpose of stay. Hwang noted that lists of incoming group tourists are screened in advance for high-risk individuals (archived link).

South Korea also maintains quarantine and health surveillance systems, with infectious diseases screened at airports and mandatory reporting required for suspected cases. Entry is not dependent on voluntary self-reporting alone, Hwang said (archived link). 

Yu Min-yi, a senior researcher at the IOM Migration Research and Training Centre, also told AFP that "all four of these claims are not true" (archived link). 

"It is simply impossible to enter South Korea without a passport -- not even the president could do that," she said, adding that quarantine procedures are applied equally to all foreign arrivals.

She confirmed accommodation details must be declared as part of entry requirements. For visa-free arrivals, the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) system ensures such information is collected in advance (archived link).