Korea’s automated immigration gates with children: under-17s must pre-register

If you’ve walked through the automated gates while your child had to queue at a staffed counter, the reason is pre-registration. Korean children under 17 who have not yet received a resident registration card must register their fingerprints and face in advance to use the automated gates.

This guide is based on October 12, 2026 reports (Yonhap, News1, Kyunghyang Shinmun) about the Ministry of Justice’s Incheon Airport Immigration Office, and a 2022 report on the Ministry of Justice rule change. It applies to Korean nationals.

Why children can’t use the automated gates

Automated immigration checks identify you with registered fingerprints and face data. Korean nationals under 17 who have not been issued a resident registration card don’t have this data linked, so without pre-registration they must use the staffed counter, even when travelling with their parents.

According to the Ministry of Justice’s 2022 announcement, Korean nationals aged 7 and over can use automated immigration, and those aged 7 to under 17 can do so after pre-registering.

Few children are registered so far

According to Yonhap, of 463,309 departing travellers aged 14 to 17 in 2025, only 5.5% used the automated gates. In other words, most children leave the country without being registered.

Register once, use it until the ID card

In the October 12 case reported, registering fingerprints and a face photo took 30 to 40 seconds per person. Once registered, it can be used until the child receives a resident registration card, both when leaving and when returning to Korea.

In the same case, registration took place at the Immigration Service Center on the 2nd floor of Incheon Airport Terminal 2. Since September 1, 2026, schools can also book group registration for middle and high school students up to two days before departure.

Allow extra time on family trips

If you plan to register at the airport on the day you fly, arrive early to allow for waiting time. Check in advance with the Ministry of Justice’s automated immigration guidance whether a guardian must attend, which documents are needed, and the location and opening hours.

Three checks before departure

• Confirm whether your child is pre-registered
• Pack your child’s passport
• Check the location and documents in the Ministry of Justice guidance