A foreign participant in an international conference in Korea can bring up to two companions with them such as relatives and related staff. Shown is a scene from last year's Korea MICE Expo held from Nov. 3-5, 2025, at COEX Mall in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. (K-MICE website)

By Margareth Theresia

Foreign participants in international conferences in Korea can each bring up to two companions with them.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Justice announced that from April 1, the scope of a preferential entry screening system for the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) sector was extended to up to two guests of such a participant like relatives or related staff.

Since its launch in October 2024, this system has eased the criteria for application from conferences of 500 or more foreign participants to 300.

According to MICE statistics, Korea in 2024 hosted 339 international conferences each with 300 or more foreign participants, with a combined 218,000 attendees from abroad.

The latest improvement are predicted to greatly raise entry convenience for foreign participants in conferences and their guests, as well as positively affect the attraction and hosting of such conferences in the country while promoting more interest in visiting the country.

To apply for this benefit, apply online by filling out an application form and one for an eligible person on the K-MICE website (https://k-mice.visitkorea.or.kr/).

"The role of MICE, a high value-added industry, is crucial for stimulating inbound tourism," the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said. "We will work closely with related ministries to provide support so that the Republic of Korea emerges as the world's leading MICE destination."

margareth@korea.kr