EasyTicket Getting the National Heritage passport turns out to be a two-shot-a-month deal: applications open only at 2:00 PM on the 10th and 20th, limited to 5,000 copies each round. The official name is the Korea Heritage Service Visitor Passport, a free tour kit for collecting stamps at 76 heritage sites around the country. Here’s a quick rundown from how to apply to how to pick it up and use it.
What Exactly Is the National Heritage Passport?
People often search for this as the “National Cultural Heritage Administration Passport,” but the agency actually in charge is the Korea Heritage Service (formerly the Cultural Heritage Administration). The name changed on May 17, 2024. The official name of the kit itself is the Korea Heritage Visitor Passport.
What Kind of Passport Is It?
It’s not a passport for overseas travel — it’s a tour guidebook for collecting stamps as you visit heritage sites across the country. It’s organized into 10 themed routes covering 76 heritage sites. The price is free, though if you choose home delivery, the cash-on-delivery shipping fee is on you.
Why Is It So Popular?
Because supply is limited (5,000 copies per round), it sells out fast right at 2:00 PM on the 10th and 20th of each month. Once you collect enough stamps, you can also apply for a separate souvenir — that’s how it earned word-of-mouth fame as “Korea’s own passport challenge.”
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying
Applications are handled 100% through the official Korea Heritage Visit Campaign website (kh.or.kr/visit). There’s no separate app or Gov24 portal involved.
1) Start Your Application on the Website
Click the “Apply as a General Applicant” button on the main screen. Traffic spikes right before opening time, so it helps to have the page open in advance.
2) Identity Verification
Verification is done via mobile phone authentication. You don’t need to enter a resident registration number. Since children under 14 usually can’t complete phone verification themselves, a guardian can apply separately on the child’s behalf.
3) Choose How to Receive It
Choose between cash-on-delivery courier service or in-person pickup at the Incheon Airport Promotion Hall. If you want it fast, pickup at the Promotion Hall is quicker; if you’re outside the Seoul area, delivery is more convenient.
Seniors 65 and older can also apply by phone through the call center at 1670-8904. Handy if you’re applying on behalf of your parents too.
Comparing Application Schedules and Pickup Methods
Since you only get two chances a month to apply, it helps to decide on your schedule and pickup method ahead of time.
| Category | Application Date | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular months | 10th & 20th of the month | 14:00 | 5,000 copies per round |
| Jan & Dec | Once a month only | 14:00 | Check announced schedule |
| Public holidays | Next weekday | 14:00 | Automatically postponed |
Two Ways to Receive It
- Courier delivery: Cash-on-delivery via Korea Post, takes 3–4 weeks, up to 4,500 won depending on region
- Promotion Hall pickup: B1, Transportation Center, Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport — must be picked up in person within 2 weeks of applying
Why It’s Hard to Apply Right at the Deadline
The 5,000 copies usually sell out within minutes. If your phone’s clock and your PC’s clock are even slightly off, you’ll often end up a beat too late. Accuracy to within 1 second of standard time is the bar you need to clear.
How to Use the Stamp Tour
Once you’ve got your passport, the real tour begins. There are four main ways to go about it.
Self-Service Zones + Stamping It Yourself
Stamp it yourself using the stamp placed at the designated spot at each site. Korean residents use blue ink, and foreign visitors use red ink.
Paper Certificates and App Verification
If you don’t have your passport yet, you can get a stamp on the certificate paper provided on-site and attach it to your passport later. If a site is only open at night or has no stamp, use the location-based verification in the “My Korea Heritage Guide” app instead.
Applying for a Souvenir
Once you’ve collected enough stamps, you can apply separately on the souvenir application page. Supplies are limited, so the earlier you finish collecting, the better.
Checklist and Notes Before You Apply
- Set a calendar reminder for application dates (10th & 20th of each month)
- Check whether you can complete mobile phone verification
- Apply separately under a guardian’s name for children under 14
- Budget for a cash-on-delivery shipping fee of up to 4,500 won
- For Promotion Hall pickup, only you can collect it, within 2 weeks of applying
- Fill in the name field on the passport yourself after you receive it
Since it’s one passport per person, you can’t apply for your whole family’s passports under a single account. Duplicate applications using the same verification information will be voided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is it really free?
The passport itself is free. However, if you choose courier delivery, you’ll be charged a cash-on-delivery shipping fee (up to 4,500 won depending on region). In-person pickup has no additional cost.
Q. Is reissuing done the same way?
There’s no separate menu for reissuing a lost or damaged passport — you just apply again on the next application date. It’s a good idea to take photos of your previously stamped pages to keep a record.
Q. Is there a set period of use?
The passport itself can be used year-round, anytime. Operating hours vary by site among the 76 locations, so check the official page for that particular heritage site before you visit.
Q. Can foreigners get one too?
Yes, both foreign residents in Korea and foreign tourists can get one. Tourists who have trouble with mobile phone verification can instead verify with their own national passport at the Incheon Airport Promotion Hall and pick it up in person.
Since a single second at the deadline can decide whether you’re one of the 5,000, sync your clock with a standard-time tool beforehand and take your shot right at 2:00 PM. Once you’ve collected all 76 site stamps, it’ll make for a pretty solid year.