The Indian Embassy in Seoul has issued a detailed travel advisory for Indian nationals planning to visit South Korea’s Jeju Island under its visa waiver programme, following recent reports of an Indian traveller being denied entry and detained at the airport. The advisory aims to reduce the likelihood of inconvenience, refusal of entry, or repatriation faced by Indian visitors upon arrival at Jeju International Airport.
The move comes days after Indian content creator Sachin Awasthi alleged that he was held for nearly 38 hours and ultimately refused entry after landing on Jeju Island. His experience, which also involved closely monitored transit through China during his return journey, drew widespread attention online and prompted renewed discussion about entry procedures under the island’s visa-free system.
In its advisory, the embassy clarified that the Jeju visa waiver permits entry strictly for short-term tourism purposes and does not automatically guarantee admission into South Korea. Final entry decisions, it emphasised, rest entirely with immigration authorities at Jeju International Airport and are made in accordance with Korean immigration laws, regardless of whether travellers possess valid documents or bookings.
To minimise risks of entry denial, the embassy outlined several mandatory requirements that travellers must meet. Visitors are required to carry printed copies of all relevant documents rather than relying solely on digital versions. These include a confirmed return flight ticket, hotel reservations covering the entire duration of stay, and a detailed day-by-day travel itinerary. Travellers must also provide proof of sufficient financial resources, such as recent bank statements, international payment cards, or foreign exchange holdings. Passports must remain valid for at least six months, while travel insurance, although not compulsory, has been strongly recommended. Contact details of accommodation providers must also be readily available.
The advisory further warned that travellers who are unable to clearly explain their travel plans or demonstrate financial preparedness for accommodation, transport, and daily expenses may face refusal of entry. Immigration officers may conduct interviews upon arrival, and visitors are expected to respond calmly, truthfully, and consistently with their declared tourism purpose. Familiarity with itinerary details and lodging arrangements is considered essential, as failure to satisfy immigration officials may result in immediate denial of entry.
The embassy also highlighted an important restriction associated with the visa waiver scheme: it applies only to Jeju Island and does not allow travel to mainland South Korea. Attempting to leave the island without obtaining the appropriate visa is illegal and could lead to penalties, including future travel bans.
In cases where entry is refused, travellers are typically placed on the next available return flight operated by the same airline. Depending on flight schedules, passengers may be required to remain temporarily in a designated holding facility at the airport until departure arrangements are completed.
The advisory follows Awasthi’s account on social media, where he described arriving in Jeju expecting a routine tourist visit but being escorted to a holding area after immigration checks. He alleged that he and his group were kept under strict supervision in conditions resembling detention, with limited access to food, water, and communication, and claimed they were pressured to purchase costly return tickets. He also described tight monitoring during transit through China before eventually returning to India.
While acknowledging that immigration decisions fall under the sovereign authority of the host country, the Indian Embassy stated that it cannot overturn decisions made by South Korean officials. However, it said it would continue to provide consular assistance and attempt to ensure reasonable support for Indian nationals facing difficulties at the airport. The mission has also shared emergency helpline and consular contact details for travellers requiring assistance.
The episode has drawn renewed attention to the operational realities of Jeju’s visa-free entry programme. Through the advisory, the embassy has urged Indian travellers to remain fully informed, properly prepared with documentation, and capable of clearly substantiating their travel intentions to avoid complications during immigration checks.
