New Delhi: The Embassy of India in Seoul on Tuesday issued an advisory for Indian nationals planning to travel to Jeju Island under South Korea’s visa waiver scheme, telling them to carry mandatory documentation to avoid possible denial of entry.

The advisory comes amid reports of inconveniences faced by Indian travellers, including denial of entry and repatriation upon arrival at Jeju International Airport. Last week, content creator and social media influencer Sachin Awasthi was detained for 38 hours at Jeju Island. Awasthi, who was travelling with his wife, was denied entry and forced to book an expensive return ticket.

Advisory for Indian Nationals Travelling to Jeju Island (Republic of Korea)@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @Dasspake pic.twitter.com/iwCVohFmHt

— India in ROK (@IndiainROK) February 24, 2026

“I am not sharing this for sympathy or drama. Immigration decisions are their authority. But they did not have any right to treat us like criminals,” he said.

Visa-free entry does not guarantee admission

The Embassy clarified that entry under the Jeju visa-free facility is strictly permitted for short-term tourism. Final admission into the Republic of Korea (RoK) is determined solely by immigration authorities at Jeju International Airport in accordance with Korean law. It added that the visa waiver scheme does not guarantee entry.

The embassy also list out mandatory documents for the Indians to carry in print form. These include:

• Confirmed return air ticket
• Hotel reservation covering entire stay
• Detailed travel itinerary (day-wise plan)
• Proof of sufficient funds (recent bank statements / international cards / forex)
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Contact details of accommodation

The advisory warns that passengers unable to clearly explain their travel plan may face the risk of entry denial.

Financial preparedness and questioning at immigration

“Travellers must be able to demonstrate adequate financial capacity for the duration of their stay, including daily expenses, accommodation payments and transport arrangements. Failure to satisfy immigration officials could result in denial of entry,” the advisory added.

Restrictions under visa waiver scheme

The Embassy further clarified that the Jeju visa waiver does not permit travel to mainland South Korea. Attempting to leave Jeju for mainland Korea without a valid visa is illegal.

The embassy said that travellers facing immigration-related issues may contact the Consular Wing of the Embassy during office hours or reach out through its designated emergency contact number for assistance after office hours, on weekends and holidays.

Jeju Island is one of the three self-governing provinces of South Korea with a special visa-free entry program for foreigners.