Indian Embassy Cautions Indians Travelling to Jeju Island

Indian Embassy: A dream vacation to South Korea’s scenic island paradise turned into a nightmare for Indian travel vlogger Sachin Awasthi, who claims he and his wife were denied entry, detained overnight, and deported from Jeju Island.

Days after his account went viral, the Embassy of India, Seoul issued a fresh advisory cautioning Indian nationals about the rules and documentation required under the Jeju Island visa waiver for Indians.

The episode has reignited conversations about travel preparedness and the fine print behind visa-free entry schemes.

Indian Embassy: “The Worst 24 Hours of My Life”

In a detailed YouTube video, Awasthi described his ordeal as “the worst 24 hours of my life.” According to him, the trouble began even before landing in South Korea.

He alleged that airline staff at his departure point in Bangkok demanded proof of a specific amount of physical cash before allowing him to board the flight to Jeju. When he initially failed to produce the required funds in cash, he claimed he was asked to arrange it immediately or step aside. After securing the money, the couple was permitted to board.

However, matters escalated upon arrival at Jeju International Airport.

Awasthi said immigration officials examined their Indian passports, took fingerprints, and escorted them to a waiting area. Through a phone interpreter, they were questioned about their travel plans. Eventually, they were handed a notice denying entry.

The reason cited, according to Awasthi, was that the “purpose of stay was not clear.”

While acknowledging that every country has sovereign authority over its borders, Awasthi questioned the manner in which the situation was handled, particularly the overnight holding and immediate deportation.

Embassy Issues Advisory on Jeju Island Visa Waiver for Indians

Three days after the video gained traction online, the Embassy of India, Seoul, released a detailed advisory clarifying the requirements under the Jeju Island visa waiver for Indians.

The mission stressed that the visa-free facility is strictly for short-term tourism. It also underscored that final entry approval rests solely with immigration authorities at Jeju International Airport, in accordance with Korean law. A visa waiver does not guarantee admission.

Mandatory Printed Documents

The advisory makes it clear that travellers must carry physical, printed copies of essential documents, not just digital versions. These include:

• Confirmed return air tickets

• Hotel reservations covering the entire duration of stay

• A detailed, day-wise travel itinerary

• Proof of sufficient funds (recent bank statements, international debit/credit cards, or forex)

• A passport valid for at least six months

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Contact details of accommodation

Passengers may face denial of entry if they cannot clearly explain their travel plan or fail to demonstrate tourism intent.

Indian Embassy: Immigration Interviews and Financial Preparedness

The Embassy highlighted that travellers must convincingly show they have adequate funds to cover daily expenses, accommodation, and transport during their stay on Jeju Island.

Immigration officers may conduct interviews upon arrival. Visitors are advised to:

• Remain calm

• Answer questions clearly and truthfully

• Be thoroughly familiar with their itinerary

• Provide consistent information about accommodation and finances

Failure to satisfy the immigration officer may result in refusal of entry and immediate return on the next available flight of the same airline. In some cases, passengers may be required to stay temporarily in a holding facility until departure.

Key Restrictions Under the Visa Waiver

The advisory also draws attention to critical restrictions under the Jeju Island visa waiver for Indians:

• The visa-free scheme applies only to Jeju Island.

• Onward travel to mainland South Korea without a valid visa is illegal.

• Overstaying or engaging in unauthorised activities can lead to future travel bans.

Importantly, the Embassy clarified that it cannot overturn immigration decisions made by South Korean authorities. However, it can liaise with local officials to ensure reasonable support for Indian nationals in holding facilities.

For assistance, the Embassy has provided the following contact details:

• Phone: +82-2-792-4257 (Ext 407) during office hours

• Email: cons.seoul@mea.gov.in

• Emergency Contact: 010-9356-4188