Passport

• Serves as proof of passport holders’ personal information, such as nationality and date of birth and also indicates the nation of the holder that exercises diplomatic protection.
  ※ Overseas travelers must carry their passport as it is the only way to prove your identity and can be used for other purposes, as well.
• A nation issues passports to protect its people and provide assistance with convenience and help in overseas travel by proving that the passport holder is a national of the nation and identifying the purpose of the travel.
• A passport is a kind of official document that requests other countries to protect and save travelers under its nationality by authenticating the identity of the overseas travelers as a must for those who are traveling to other countries.

e-Passport

• An electronic passport or e-passport contains biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of travelers. It uses a contactless IC chip embedded in the passport.
• Scope of information: same as an existing passport (name, passport no., date of birth, photo, issuing country, nationality, date of issue and date of expiry)
  ※ Information that is not identified on the existing passport such as credit information, criminal records and blood type are not given on the e-passport.

Passport Types

• Ordinary passport [any passport issuing agency in Korea]
  • Multiple passport: with 10 years of validity, the number of overseas travels are not limited.
  • Single passport: 1 year of validity and the number of overseas travel is limited to only a single occasion.
• Official passport [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any passport issuing agency in Korea]
  • Issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the purpose of public service.
• Resident Passport [local government and other issuing agency]
  • The passport is issued to overseas residents after emigration declaration.

Use of passport

• Money exchange / making a payment with traveler’s check / reporting stolen or lost traveler’s checks (re-issuing traveler’s checks)
• Applying for and getting a visa / departure formalities and boarding / entry to Korea
• Buying duty-free goods at a dutyfree shop/ getting an international driver’s license
• Getting a FIYTO card
• When a person with military obligations make a military report when departing or returning
• Withdrawing money sent from Korea during overseas travel

What to Do When a Passport is Lost

• Take thorough care of your passport as it is an important proof of identity. A lost passport can be used for negative purposes when it is collected by a third-party person who can forge and falsify the passport. This will result in huge damage to the passport holder; therefore, the passport should be safely managed.
• Report a lost passport as soon as it is lost and have a new passport issued. In the case of overseas travelling, report to the nearest Embassy or Consulate General to access a travel certificate or a new passport.
  ※ Travel certificate: a certificate that substitutes for a passport when there is not enough time for passport issuance
• The lost passport becomes invalid as soon as reported. Note that you cannot use a found passport on your departure and entry.