Title
Apostille Korea stresses advance document checks as border rules for minors tighten When a minor travels without a parent holding custody, missing supporting documents can lead to refusal at the airport.
- Related countries
- 한국
Content
Apostille Korea said parents arranging study trips, cultural programmes or holidays abroad for their children should verify border document requirements in advance. In February, a backpacking trip in which children travelled with an English conversation teacher ended in refused entry because none of the supporting documents for travel without a custodial parent had been prepared. Apostille Korea operates a document package covering minor travel worldwide.
- A trip in which minors travelled without a custodial parent ended in refused entry for lack of supporting documents.
- As child protection rules tighten, the documentary requirements for minors crossing borders are being reinforced.
- The parental travel consent is regarded as the single most essential document for a minor's trip.
- Legal documents used internationally must also pass through translation, notarisation and authentication.
What the airport refusal case shows
In February, a household in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, planned a backpacking trip abroad in which children from neighbouring apartments travelled with an English conversation teacher. The families completed rental car and hotel bookings and saw the group off at the airport, only to learn shortly afterwards that entry had been refused. The reason was that none of the supporting documents for a trip without a custodial parent had been prepared. Countries have recently been applying child protection rules more strictly to prevent international crimes such as trafficking and abduction of minors. As a result, the evidentiary requirements for minors entering or leaving a country continue to be reinforced. The parental travel consent in particular has become the most essential document of all.
Travellers have to confirm destination requirements themselves
Embassies worldwide, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Guam, Saipan, the United Kingdom, Canada and Latin American states, publish rules on minors under strengthened immigration law. Under those rules, an accompanying adult with joint custody must carry legal documents proving that status, while an adult who is not a parent or legal guardian must carry a parental travel consent showing that authority was granted by the legal guardian. Embassy notices state clearly that entry or departure may be refused when the required documents are incomplete. The foreign ministry says it publicises such changes through various channels and that the essential point is for each traveller to check and prepare the required documents before departure. Even so, guidance from travel businesses remains thin and cases of disrupted trips continue. Apostille Korea advised starting preparation ahead of the travel schedule, since documents used internationally must go through translation into the relevant languages along with notarisation and authentication.
Frequently asked questions
What documents are needed when a child travels without a parent?
If the accompanying adult is not a parent or legal guardian, a parental travel consent is required. An adult with joint custody must still carry legal documents proving that status.
Won't the travel agency handle this?
Guidance from travel businesses has been limited and disrupted trips continue to occur. The foreign ministry's position is that each traveller should confirm the required documents before departure.
When should preparation begin?
Beyond translation and notarisation, an apostille or consular legalisation may also be needed depending on the country. Starting well ahead of the travel schedule is the safer approach.
Source: KNS 뉴스통신 · 2017-03-30