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Before booking flights, travellers should check official immigration websites, confirm airline guidance, and review whether their chosen itinerary aligns with eligibility rules
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A small oversight in travel planning can lead to unexpected delays — or even denied entry — at the border
A recent incident involving Indian travellers to Jeju Island has triggered fresh concern across India’s outbound tourism sector. Reports suggest an Indian couple was held for nearly 38 hours at immigration after arriving via Seoul, exposing confusion around South Korea’s visa-waiver rules.
Jeju operates under a special visa-free scheme aimed at boosting tourism. However, this arrangement is separate from mainland South Korea’s immigration system. While certain Indian passport holders may qualify for visa-free entry to Jeju, the rule generally applies only if they arrive on a direct international flight or cruise ship into the island.
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Travellers who first land in Seoul or any other mainland airport before continuing to Jeju may not qualify under the waiver
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In such cases, standard South Korean visa regulations apply — and Indian nationals typically require a valid visa unless covered by another exemption
Although authorities have not issued a formal statement on the reported case, the episode has highlighted a crucial point: routing matters. A seemingly minor decision — such as transiting through Seoul — can change a traveller’s immigration status.
The situation has also prompted comparisons with other destinations offering relaxed entry rules, such as Hong Kong and Aqaba in Jordan’s Aqaba Special Economic Zone. These locations promote simplified entry policies, but often attach strict conditions related to arrival points, documentation, pre-approvals or length of stay.
As outbound travel from India continues to rise, travel advisers and corporate mobility planners are urging passengers to verify not just destination rules, but also transit and routing requirements. “Visa-free” does not always mean unconditional access.
