Navigating the immigration process at a Korean airport is a crucial step for any international traveler. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases needed to confidently interact with immigration officers and complete the entry procedures smoothly upon arrival in Korea. Understanding these expressions will help ensure a stress-free start to your journey.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the main term for the process you’ll be going through.
- Expression: 입국 심사 (ipguk simsa)
Pronunciation: ip-guk shim-sa
Meaning: Immigration check/screening (literally “entry country examination”)
Essential Vocabulary
Knowing these key nouns will help you understand requests and fill out forms.
- Expression: 여권 (yeogwon)
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon
Meaning: Passport - Expression: 비자 (bija)
Pronunciation: bi-ja
Meaning: Visa - Expression: 입국 카드 (ipguk kadeu)
Pronunciation: ip-guk ka-deu
Meaning: Arrival card / Entry card - Expression: 세관 신고서 (segwan singoseo)
Pronunciation: se-gwan shin-go-seo
Meaning: Customs declaration form - Expression: 목적 (mokjeok)
Pronunciation: mok-jjeok
Meaning: Purpose - Expression: 방문 (bangmun)
Pronunciation: bang-mun
Meaning: Visit - Expression: 관광 (gwangwang)
Pronunciation: gwan-gwang
Meaning: Tourism / Sightseeing - Expression: 사업 (saeop)
Pronunciation: sa-eop
Meaning: Business - Expression: 유학 (yuhak)
Pronunciation: yu-hak
Meaning: Studying abroad - Expression: 체류 기간 (cheryu gigan)
Pronunciation: che-ryu gi-gan
Meaning: Period of stay - Expression: 직업 (jigeop)
Pronunciation: ji-geop
Meaning: Occupation / Job - Expression: 숙소 (sukso)
Pronunciation: suk-so
Meaning: Accommodation / Lodging
Answering Officer’s Questions
Be prepared to answer these common questions from the immigration officer.
- Expression: 방문 목적이 무엇입니까? (Bangmun mokjeogi mueosimnikka?)
Pronunciation: bang-mun mok-jjeo-gi mu-eo-shim-ni-kka?
Meaning: What is the purpose of your visit? - Expression: 관광하러 왔습니다. (Gwangwanghareo watsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: gwan-gwang-ha-reo wat-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I came for tourism. - Expression: 사업차 왔습니다. (Saeopcha watsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: sa-eop-cha wat-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I came for business. - Expression: 공부하러 왔습니다. (Gongbuhareo watsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: gong-bu-ha-reo wat-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I came to study. - Expression: 얼마나 체류하실 예정입니까? (Eolmana cheryuhasil yejeongimnikka?)
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na che-ryu-ha-shil ye-jeong-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: How long are you planning to stay? - Expression: O일 동안 있을 겁니다. (O-il dongan isseul geomnida.)
Pronunciation: O-il dong-an i-sseul geom-ni-da.
Meaning: I will be here for O days. (Replace O with the number) - Expression: O주 동안 있을 겁니다. (O-ju dongan isseul geomnida.)
Pronunciation: O-ju dong-an i-sseul geom-ni-da.
Meaning: I will be here for O weeks. (Replace O with the number) - Expression: 어디에 묵으실 겁니까? (Eodie mugeusil geomnikka?)
Pronunciation: eo-di-e mu-geu-shil geom-ni-kka?
Meaning: Where will you be staying? - Expression: 호텔에 묵을 겁니다. (Hotere mugeul geomnida.)
Pronunciation: ho-te-re mu-geul geom-ni-da.
Meaning: I will be staying at a hotel. - Expression: 친구 집에 묵을 겁니다. (Chingu jibe mugeul geomnida.)
Pronunciation: chin-gu ji-be mu-geul geom-ni-da.
Meaning: I will be staying at a friend’s house. - Expression: 직업이 무엇입니까? (Jigeobi mueosimnikka?)
Pronunciation: ji-geo-bi mu-eo-shim-ni-kka?
Meaning: What is your occupation? - Expression: 제 직업은 [직업 이름]입니다. (Je jigeobeun [jigeop ireum]imnida.)
Pronunciation: je ji-geo-beun [ji-geop i-reum]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My occupation is [Occupation Name].
Understanding Instructions
Listen for these instructions during the process.
- Expression: 여권을 보여주세요. (Yeogwoneul boyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: yeo-gwo-neul bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me your passport. - Expression: 입국 카드를 보여주세요. (Ipguk kadeureul boyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: ip-guk ka-deu-reul bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me your arrival card. - Expression: 여기에 서명해 주세요. (Yeogie seomyeonghae juseyo.)
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-e seo-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please sign here. - Expression: 지문 등록해 주세요. (Jimun deungnokhae juseyo.)
Pronunciation: ji-mun deung-nok-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please register your fingerprint. - Expression: 오른손 검지를 올려주세요. (Oreunson geomjireul ollyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: o-reun-son geom-ji-reul ol-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please place your right index finger here. - Expression: 왼손 검지를 올려주세요. (Oenson geomjireul ollyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: oen-son geom-ji-reul ol-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please place your left index finger here. - Expression: 양손 검지를 올려주세요. (Yangson geomjireul ollyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: yang-son geom-ji-reul ol-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please place both index fingers here. - Expression: 카메라를 보세요. (Kamerareul boseyo.)
Pronunciation: ka-me-ra-reul bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please look at the camera. - Expression: 안경을 벗어주세요. (Angyeongeul beoseojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: an-gyeong-eul beo-seo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take off your glasses. - Expression: 모자를 벗어주세요. (Mojareul beoseojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: mo-ja-reul beo-seo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take off your hat. - Expression: 마스크를 내려주세요. (Maseukeureul naeryeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: ma-seu-keu-reul nae-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please lower your mask. - Expression: 됐습니다. (Dwaetsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: dwaet-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Okay / Done / That’s enough.
Asking for Clarification or Help
Use these phrases if you need assistance or don’t understand something.
- Expression: 네? (Ne?)
Pronunciation: ne?
Meaning: Yes? / Pardon? / What? (Used politely to ask someone to repeat) - Expression: 죄송하지만, 잘 못 알아들었습니다. (Joesonghajiman, jal mot aradeureotsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jal mot a-ra-deu-reot-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but I didn’t understand well. - Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (Dasi hanbeon malsseumhae jusigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: da-shi han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-shi-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? - Expression: 조금 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? (Jogeum cheoncheonhi malsseumhae jusigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: jo-geum cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-shi-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please speak a little more slowly? - Expression: 영어로 말씀해 주실 수 있나요? (Yeongeoro malsseumhae jusil su innayo?)
Pronunciation: yeong-eo-ro mal-sseum-hae ju-shil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you please speak in English? - Expression: 여기 있습니다. (Yeogi itsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: yeo-gi it-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here it is. (When handing over documents) - Expression: 감사합니다. (Gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. - Expression: 수고하세요. (Sugohaseyo.)
Pronunciation: su-go-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Thank you for your hard work. (A polite way to say goodbye to someone working) - Expression: 화장실이 어디예요? (Hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-shi-ri eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? - Expression: 도움이 필요해요. (Doumi piryohaeyo.)
Pronunciation: do-u-mi pi-ryo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need help.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can make your immigration experience smoother.
- Politeness is Key: Using formal language (like the phrases provided here, ending in -ㅂ니다/습니다 or -요) and showing respect (slight bow, saying 감사합니다) is highly valued.
- Have Documents Ready: Ensure your passport, visa (if required), and completed arrival card/customs form are easily accessible when you reach the counter. Fumbling for documents can slow things down.
- Clear and Concise Answers: Answer the officer’s questions directly and honestly. Avoid overly long explanations unless asked for more details.
- Fingerprinting and Photos: Biometric data collection (fingerprints and facial photo) is standard procedure for most foreign visitors. Follow the officer’s instructions calmly.
- Potential for Additional Questions: Depending on your visa type, nationality, or travel history, you might be asked more detailed questions about your trip plans, finances, or return ticket. Be prepared to provide this information if requested.
Real Conversation Example
Here’s a typical interaction at the immigration counter.
Situation: A tourist (B) approaches the immigration counter where the officer (A) is working.
Roles:
* A: Immigration Officer (입국 심사관 – ipguk simsa-gwan)
* B: Traveler (여행객 – yeohaenggaek)
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 여권하고 입국 카드 주세요. (Annyeonghaseyo. Yeogwonhago ipguk kadeu juseyo.)
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. yeo-gwon-ha-go ip-guk ka-deu ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Hello. Please give me your passport and arrival card. - Expression: B: 네, 여기 있습니다. (Ne, yeogi itsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi it-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, here they are. - Expression: A: 방문 목적이 무엇입니까? (Bangmun mokjeogi mueosimnikka?)
Pronunciation: bang-mun mok-jjeo-gi mu-eo-shim-ni-kka?
Meaning: What is the purpose of your visit? - Expression: B: 관광하러 왔습니다. (Gwangwanghareo watsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: gwan-gwang-ha-reo wat-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I came for tourism. - Expression: A: 얼마나 체류하실 예정입니까? (Eolmana cheryuhasil yejeongimnikka?)
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na che-ryu-ha-shil ye-jeong-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: How long are you planning to stay? - Expression: B: 10일 동안 있을 겁니다. (Sibil dongan isseul geomnida.)
Pronunciation: shi-bil dong-an i-sseul geom-ni-da.
Meaning: I will be here for 10 days. - Expression: A: 네. 양손 검지 올려주세요. (Ne. Yangson geomji ollyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: ne. yang-son geom-ji ol-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay. Please place both index fingers here. - Expression: B: (Places fingers on scanner)
Pronunciation: (No pronunciation)
Meaning: (Places fingers on scanner) - Expression: A: 이제 카메라를 보세요. (Ije kamerareul boseyo.)
Pronunciation: i-je ka-me-ra-reul bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Now, please look at the camera. - Expression: B: (Looks at the camera)
Pronunciation: (No pronunciation)
Meaning: (Looks at the camera) - Expression: A: 됐습니다. 즐거운 여행 되십시오. (Dwaetsseumnida. Jeulgeoun yeohaeng doesipsio.)
Pronunciation: dwaet-sseum-ni-da. jeul-geo-un yeo-haeng doe-ship-shi-o.
Meaning: Okay / Done. Have a pleasant trip. - Expression: B: 감사합니다. 수고하세요! (Gamsahamnida. Sugohaseyo!)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. su-go-ha-se-yo!
Meaning: Thank you. Thank you for your hard work!
Practice Tips
Reviewing these phrases is the first step! Try practicing them out loud to get comfortable with the pronunciation~ Role-playing the conversation example with a friend can be really helpful too! Watching videos of people arriving at Incheon Airport might also give you a better feel for the process. Being prepared will make your arrival much smoother! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)
