This guide includes essential Korean expressions for immigration, customs, and airport procedures in Korea. Each phrase includes Korean text, romanized pronunciation, and an English meaning to help travelers communicate clearly during entry and exit processes.
1. Basic Phrases at Immigration
When approaching the immigration counter:
- 안녕하세요. (annyeong-ha-se-yo) – Hello.
- 여권입니다. (yeo-kkwon im-ni-da) – Here is my passport.
- 입국 카드 가져왔어요. (ip-guk ka-deu ga-jeo-wat-seo-yo) – I have my arrival card.
Questions immigration officers may ask:
- 한국에 왜 오셨어요? (han-gug-e wae o-syeot-seo-yo?) – What is the purpose of your visit?
- 얼마나 머무르세요? (eol-ma-na meo-mu-reu-se-yo?) – How long will you stay?
- 숙소는 어디예요? (suk-so neun eo-di-ye-yo?) – Where are you staying?
- 돌아가는 항공편 있어요? (do-ra-ga-neun hang-gong-pyeon i-sseo-yo?) – Do you have a return ticket?
How to answer:
- 여행하러 왔어요. (yeo-haeng-ha-reo wat-seo-yo) – I am here for travel.
- 친구 만나러 왔어요. (chin-gu man-na-reo wat-seo-yo) – I am here to visit a friend.
- 일주일 머물 거예요. (il-ju-il meo-mul geo-ye-yo) – I will stay for one week.
- 여기 숙소 예약했어요. (yeo-gi suk-so ye-yak-haet-seo-yo) – I booked a hotel here. (Show phone)
2. Visa and Document Questions
- 비자 있어요? (bi-ja i-sseo-yo?) – Do you have a visa?
- 여기 보여 주세요. (yeo-gi bo-yeo ju-se-yo) – Please show it here.
Useful answers:
- 전자여행허가 받았어요. (jeon-ja-yeo-haeng-heo-ga bat-at-seo-yo) – I have a K-ETA.
- 비자 필요 없어요. (bi-ja pil-yo eop-seo-yo) – My country does not require a visa.
3. Customs Area Phrases
At customs inspection:
- 세관 신고서 여기 있어요. (se-gwan sin-go-seo yeo-gi i-sseo-yo) – Here is my customs form.
- 신고할 것 없어요. (sin-go-hal geot eop-seo-yo) – I have nothing to declare.
- 이거 신고해야 돼요? (i-geo sin-go hae-ya dwe-yo?) – Do I need to declare this?
Questions you may hear:
- 음식 가지고 왔어요? (eum-sik ga-ji-go wat-seo-yo?) – Are you carrying food?
- 금액이 얼마나 돼요? (geu-maek-i eol-ma-na dwe-yo?) – What is the value?
- 개인 소지품이에요? (gae-in so-ji-pum i-e-yo?) – Is this your personal item?
Sample answers:
- 개인용이에요. (gae-in-yong i-e-yo) – It’s for personal use.
- 판매용 아니에요. (pan-mae-yong a-ni-e-yo) – It is not for sale.
4. Baggage Claim and Lost Luggage
Useful expressions:
- 수하물 어디에서 받아요? (su-ha-mul eo-di-e-seo ba-da-yo?) – Where do I get my baggage?
- 제 짐이 안 나왔어요. (je jim-i an na-wat-seo-yo) – My luggage didn’t come out.
- 도와줄 수 있어요? (do-wa-jul su i-sseo-yo?) – Can you help me?
At the lost luggage desk:
- 수하물을 잃어버렸어요. (su-ha-mul-eul il-eo-beo-ryeot-seo-yo) – I lost my luggage.
- 이 태그로 확인해 주세요. (i tae-geu-ro hwak-in-hae ju-se-yo) – Please check with this tag.
- 호텔로 배송해 주세요. (ho-tel-lo bae-song-hae ju-se-yo) – Please deliver it to my hotel.
5. Quarantine / Health Check Questions
You may hear:
- 체온 재겠습니다. (che-on jae-ge-seum-ni-da) – We will take your temperature.
- 건강 상태 괜찮으세요? (geon-gang sang-tae gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?) – Are you feeling okay?
- 최근 여행 이력 있어요? (chwe-geun yeo-haeng i-ryeok i-sseo-yo?) – Have you traveled recently?
Your responses:
- 네, 괜찮아요. (ne, gwaen-chan-a-yo) – Yes, I’m fine.
- 아니요, 없어요. (a-ni-yo, eop-seo-yo) – No, I haven’t.
6. Examples of Full Immigration Conversations
Example 1: Tourism Entry
Officer: 한국에 왜 오셨어요? (han-gug-e wae o-syeot-seo-yo?)
You: 여행하러 왔어요. (yeo-haeng-ha-reo wat-seo-yo) – I am here for travel.
Officer: 얼마나 머무르세요? (eol-ma-na meo-mu-reu-se-yo?)
You: 일주일 머물 거예요. (il-ju-il meo-mul geo-ye-yo) – I will stay for one week.
Example 2: Hotel Question
Officer: 숙소는 어디예요? (suk-so neun eo-di-ye-yo?)
You: 여기 호텔 예약했어요. (yeo-gi ho-tel ye-yak-haet-seo-yo) – I booked this hotel. (Show phone)
Example 3: Nothing to Declare
Officer: 신고할 것 있어요? (sin-go-hal geot i-sseo-yo?)
You: 아니요, 신고할 것 없어요. (a-ni-yo, sin-go-hal geot eop-seo-yo) – No, I have nothing to declare.
Final Note
Korean immigration and customs procedures are clear and efficient. Knowing these basic expressions and pronunciations can help you communicate with officers more confidently and complete the arrival process smoothly.
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