When we think of the good things in Korea, the first few things that come to mind are probably K-beauty, K-drama, and lately, KPop Demon Hunters.
Well, that’s not all because we’re adding one more thing to the list: Korea’s Smart Entry Service (SES). It’s open to passport holders of 14 different countries, Singapore included, so we can cut down the time spent at immigration and get to our favourite K-BBQ spot faster upon landing. Read on to find out more about how the SES works.
You can register for the Smart Entry Service at Incheon International Airport.
Image credit: rio via Google Maps
SES is an automated immigration clearance system that uses biometric data such as fingerprints and sometimes facial recognition to verify travellers at passport control. This means you’ll no longer have to queue up at a counter to get your passport stamped. It’s available not just on arrival but also on departure at many Korean ports of entry.
Recently, our Little Red Dot was added to the list of eligible countries, so if you’re holding a Singapore passport, you can now use the automated immigration gates when entering Korea.
In other words, you’ll get to clear immigration faster at participating airports and be out of the terminal ASAP.
Using the SES at airports in Korea is simple – just enter as you’d normally do at any other airport with e-gate systems. Refer to the table below for a step-by-step breakdown of how it works:
| Step 1 | Place your passport with your photo face down on the scanner and wait for the green light. |
| Step 2 | Walk into the gate once it opens. |
| Step 3 | Scan your fingerprint. |
| Step 4 | Look at the camera if prompted. |
| Step 5 | Exit the gate once it opens. |
This usually takes a matter of seconds compared to the manual immigration system, which can take between 30 and 90 minutes after factoring in the time spent on queuing.
You can use the SES at major international airports in Korea, such as Incheon Airport, Gimpo Airport, Gimhae Airport, and Jeju Airport.
Image credit: Brian Jeong
Korean nationals with a resident registration card can head straight to the e-gates; no sign-up needed. However, pre-registration is needed for children aged 7 to 14; they will need to register in advance and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Foreign travellers aged 17 and above from approved countries can also use the service, though registration is required unless you hold a valid Alien Registration Card.
Image credit: 백paikaugustine via Google
For Singapore passport holders, yes. Head over to the counters within Incheon International Airport to register. Once that’s done, you’ll be able to use the e-gates right away, and at any airport in South Korea on future visits.
Here’s where to go for registration:
| Location | Arrival Counters | Time |
| Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 | A & F | 7am-10pm, Daily |
| Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 | A B | 24 hours, Daily 5am-8pm, Daily |
For now, you can only register at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, but it might roll out to other South Korean airports down the line.
Whether it’s for business or leisure, Korea continues to be a popular destination for us fellow Singaporeans, so follow this guide to make your immigration process smoother and more convenient. Plus, you can spend less time at the airport and more time enjoying your trip.
For more travel guides:
Cover image adapted from: rio via Google
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