Can you bring a pet to Korea? Yes—you can. But Korea takes biosecurity seriously, so you’ll want your paperwork airtight. This guide keeps things practical and jargon-free so you (and your furry sidekick) land without drama.

What Korea Actually Checks at the Airport

  • Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. If yours is a different standard, bring a scanner.
  • Rabies status & titer:
    • From a rabies-free country or under 90 days old → typically no titer required.
    • Otherwise → you’ll need a rabies neutralizing antibody titer ≥ 0.5 IU/mL from an approved lab, drawn within 24 months of arrival.
  • Government health certificate: Issued by your exporting country’s competent authority. It must show the microchip number and (if required) the titer result.
  • On arrival: Present documents to APQA quarantine officers. If everything matches, most pets are released the same day. Missing/incorrect items can mean owner-paid quarantine or denial of entry.

Note: Korean pages may use APQA/QIA for the same agency.

A Simple Timeline That Works

8–12 weeks out

  • Confirm if your origin is considered rabies-free and whether a titer applies. Book a vet who has done Korea paperwork before.

6–8 weeks out

  • Microchip (if not already compliant).
  • Rabies vaccine with proper buffers (some routes expect ≥ 30 days before travel).

4–6 weeks out

  • If needed, do the titer test at an approved lab and keep the official report.

1–2 weeks out

  • Obtain your government-issued health certificate (U.S. travelers: typically USDA-endorsed).
  • Re-check your airline’s pet policy (crate size, embargoes, breed notes).

Travel day & arrival

  • Carry originals + copies of the microchip record, vaccine record, titer report, and health certificate.
  • At Incheon/Gimpo/Busan, go to the animal quarantine office for inspection and clearance.

After You Move: Life With a Pet in Korea

  • Register your dog (many districts also support cat programs). In cities like Seoul, registration is mandatory and fines apply if you skip it.
  • Housing reality: Many apartments are no-pet or have size/breed caps. Confirm before signing; some landlords request a pet deposit.
  • Daily living: Big cities have English-friendly vets, groomers, sitters, and pet hotels. Expect leash rules in parks; certain breeds may have extra obligations (training, muzzles, insurance).

A Note for U.S. Travelers (Re-entry to the U.S.)

Korea’s rules cover entry to Korea. If you’ll fly back to the U.S. with your dog, the CDC’s dog-import rules (rev. 2024) still apply on return—plan for those separately.

Official & Helpful Links

Quick, Print-Friendly Checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip   ▢
  • Rabies vaccine (timed for your route)  ▢
  • Rabies antibody titer ≥ 0.5 IU/mL (if required), from an approved lab; drawn ≤ 24 months before arrival  ▢
  • Government health certificate (U.S.: USDA-endorsed)  ▢
  • Airline pet booking & crate verified    ▢
  • Arrival inspection planned (APQA at the airport)    ▢
  • Local registration after move-in (district office/participating vet)  ▢