- Sachin Awasthi and wife were denied entry and deported from Jeju Island in December last year
- Indian Embassy in Seoul issued advisory for travellers under Jeju's visa waiver programme
- Visa waiver does not allow travel to mainland South Korea; refusals lead to return flights
In late December last year, Indian travel vlogger Sachin Awasthi and his wife arrived at Jeju Island expecting a festive holiday. Instead, they were denied entry, held overnight and eventually deported.
Now, three days after the Awasthi YouTube post, it has renewed attention to the issue, the Embassy of India in Seoul has released an advisory today for Indian nationals planning to travel to Jeju Island under its visa waiver programme.
What Happened In Jeju Island
Awasthi later described the episode as "the worst 24 hours of my life". While acknowledging that denying entry is within a country's rights, he said "such treatment with us... was not justified in any way."
According to him, the trouble began even before landing on Jeju Island. In Bangkok, airline staff allegedly demanded that he show a specific amount of physical cash. "If you want to board the flight, bring cash; otherwise get out of the way," he claimed they told him.
After arranging the money, the couple flew to Jeju. At immigration, he said officers examined their Indian passports, took fingerprints and moved them to a waiting area. He recounted being interviewed through a phone interpreter and later receiving a rejection notice citing "purpose of stay not clear".
"They doubt your intentions," he said he was told.
Despite having return tickets, hotel bookings, insurance, and what he described as a strong travel history, the couple was refused entry. He alleged they were then kept in what he called "jail-like conditions" with basic food and restricted movement until they could be sent back.
"They kept us in their detention centre (it was similar to a jail with no sunlight & no access to the outside) and also gave us jail food," he wrote.
He chose to purchase a next-day ticket, claiming it cost "at least 10 times" the usual price. On the onward journey via China, he further alleged that communication was restricted and that sleeping and restroom access were monitored.
He later said he was not sharing the experience for sympathy but to highlight what travellers may face. "They did not have any right to treat us like CRIMINALS," he stated.
Korean immigration authorities have not publicly commented on his specific case. Under international aviation norms, airlines are responsible for returning passengers if entry is refused.
Embassy Advisory Released Today
Against this backdrop, the Embassy of India in Seoul issued an advisory today addressing Indian nationals travelling to Jeju Island under the visa waiver scheme.
The Embassy said it "gets to hear about inconveniences caused to Indian travellers or denial of entry/repatriation upon arrival in Jeju Island" from time to time.
It clarified at the outset that entry under the Jeju visa-free facility is strictly for short-term tourism and that "final admission into the Republic of Korea is determined solely by the immigration authorities at Jeju International Airport in accordance with Korean law."
Importantly, the statement underlined that the visa waiver scheme does not guarantee entry.
Mandatory Documents And Clear Itinerary
The advisory laid out a detailed list of documents that travellers must carry in printed form, not just on their phones. These include:
- Confirmed return air ticket
- Hotel reservation covering the entire stay
- A detailed, day-wise travel itinerary
- Proof of sufficient funds such as recent bank statements, international cards or forex
- A passport valid for at least six months
- Travel insurance, which is strongly recommended
- Contact details of accommodation
It specifically warned that passengers unable to clearly explain their travel plan "could be at the risk of entry denial."
The Embassy also stressed financial preparedness. Travellers should be able to demonstrate adequate funds for daily expenses, accommodation and transport. Immigration authorities may ask related questions and expect answers consistent with tourism objectives.
Interviews, Refusals And Holding Facilities
The statement cautioned that immigration officers may conduct interviews on arrival. Visitors are advised to answer clearly, truthfully and consistently, while remaining calm and cooperative. Failure to satisfy the officer, it said, may result in denial of entry.
It also clarified that the Jeju visa waiver does not permit travel to mainland South Korea. Attempting to leave Jeju for the mainland without a proper visa is illegal and may lead to future travel bans.
In case of refusal, the passenger will be returned on the next available flight of the same airline. Depending on flight schedules, "temporary stay in a holding facility may be required," the advisory noted.
Embassy's Role And Contact Details
The Embassy made it clear that it cannot overturn decisions taken by Korean immigration authorities regarding entry into the country. However, it said it will seek assistance from Korean authorities in providing reasonable support to Indian nationals in holding facilities.
Indian nationals facing immigration issues may contact the Consular Wing of the Embassy in Seoul during office hours via the designated telephone numbers. An emergency contact number is also available for after-office hours, weekends and holidays.
A Reminder About Visa-Free Travel
The development comes amid growing discussion among Indian travellers about Jeju Island's visa-free policy and how it operates in practice.
Jeju is officially the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, a semi-autonomous province within South Korea created to promote tourism and function as a "Free International City". While it offers a limited visa-waiver scheme for direct international arrivals, admission remains subject to immigration scrutiny.
The Embassy's advisory, released today, serves as a pointed reminder that visa-free does not mean question-free, and that preparation, documentation and clarity of purpose are essential when travelling under such schemes.
