The Embassy of India in Seoul issued an advisory for Indians visiting Jeju under the visa waiver scheme after influencer Sachin Awasthi alleged he and his wife were detained and denied entry into South Korea.
In response to the ordeal faced by Indian social media influencer Sachin Awasthi, the Embassy of India in Seoul on Tuesday issued an advisory for Indian nationals visiting Jeju under the visa waiver scheme, clarifying that the facility does not permit travel to mainland South Korea after he and his wife alleged they were detained and denied entry during a recent trip.
Embassy clarifies visa-free entry rules
The embassy said entry under the Jeju visa-free facility is allowed strictly for short-term tourism and that final admission is determined solely by immigration authorities at Jeju International Airport in accordance with Korean law. It added that the visa waiver scheme does not guarantee entry.
Advisory for Indian Nationals Travelling to Jeju Island (Republic of Korea)@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @Dasspake pic.twitter.com/iwCVohFmHt
— India in ROK (@IndiainROK) February 24, 2026
Warning on travel restrictions and penalties
The advisory cautioned that travelling from Jeju to mainland South Korea without a valid visa is illegal. It said overstaying or engaging in unauthorised activities could lead to future travel bans. If entry is refused, passengers are returned on the next available flight operated by the same airline and may be required to remain temporarily in a holding facility depending on flight schedules.
Influencer alleges detention and denial of entry
The clarification comes after Awasthi said he and his wife were detained and denied entry during their trip. In posts on Instagram, he claimed the couple was held for nearly 38 hours in South Korea and during transit through China.
Awasthi said they were refused entry shortly after arrival and taken to a holding facility, alleging officials did not provide a clear explanation. He described the conditions as confining, saying the space felt like a jail with no sunlight or outside access. He also alleged they were pressured to purchase an expensive return ticket and faced additional restrictions during transit, including limited phone access and minimal food and water.
In his vlog, Awasthi claimed the Embassy of India in South Korea did not assist them and said it should have intervened and provided support.
End of Article
