Ministry of Education Strongly Recommends Foreign Students to Get Vaccinated Before Entry

Unvaccinated International Students to Undergo Self-Quarantine and Receive Vaccination Support Upon Entry

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education strongly recommends that international students complete their vaccinations before entering the country. For those unvaccinated upon arrival, support will be provided to ensure they receive vaccination immediately after quarantine is lifted.

On the 27th, the Ministry of Education announced the implementation of the "2022 Academic Year International Student Protection and Management Plan."

To respond to the spread of the Omicron variant and to protect the health of international students and prevent infections during the entry process, the Ministry strongly recommends that international students complete their vaccinations in their home countries before entering Korea.

For unvaccinated international students arriving in Korea, local governments and universities will support them to receive vaccination immediately after their self-quarantine period ends.

Under the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass), those vaccinated in their home countries can register their overseas vaccination certificates at local public health centers. This supports securing daily life activities according to operational guidelines.

Universities will conduct COVID-19 (PCR) tests before students depart, and after arrival, inform them of the mandatory 10-day self-quarantine, penalties for violations, installation of quarantine apps, mandatory use of quarantine transportation networks, and vaccination support.

Universities will establish and share with local governments a plan to manage the timing of international student arrivals to ensure staggered entry. The local governments will support quarantine facilities, management personnel, and quarantine supplies. Universities will guide students to secure quarantine locations before arrival and prepare to prioritize the use of dormitories and idle facilities.

Students will be guided to enter only after the academic schedule, including face-to-face classes, is confirmed. Support for quarantine will be provided using the University Innovation Support Project, work-study scholarships, and university budgets for quarantine supplies, preventive education, transportation costs, and personnel costs for student monitoring.

Jeong Jong-cheol, Vice Minister of Education, stated, “As confirmed cases increase due to the spread of Omicron, it is very important not only for international students but also for the safety of universities and local communities to protect the health of international students entering the country and to manage and support them so they can focus on their studies stably.”