A visa expert has weighed in after Indian content creator Sachin Awasthi claimed he was detained for 38 hours on South Korea’s Jeju Island following denial of entry. Reported by TOI.
Reacting to the incident, visa specialist Priyesh Sharma said Indian travellers need to exercise caution, stressing that immigration authorities in host countries are not influenced by celebrity status or social media popularity.
"You can be a big shot in India and have millions followers, they (immigration of host country) won't care, remember people like Shahrukh Khan have been detained then who are folks like you and me? Unless the MEA contact person are on your speed dial, please tread carefully with Indian passport," Sharma said, adding that Indians should avoid traveling to areas with special status which may be "visa free but can be very brutal for Indians".
What Happened to Sachin Awasthi?
Sachin Awasthi shared on social media that he and his wife were denied entry upon arrival at Jeju Island and subsequently detained for nearly 38 hours.
According to Awasthi, they were kept in a detention facility that he described as similar to a jail, with no sunlight or access to the outside.
He claimed they were not clearly informed about the reason for the denial and were compelled to book an expensive return flight.
"I am not sharing this for sympathy or drama. Immigration decisions are their authority. But they did not have any right to treat us like CRIMINALS," Awasthu posted.
Where Is Jeju Island? What Are the Visa Rules for Indians?
Jeju Island is located in South Korea and is one of the country’s three self-governing provinces. The island operates under a special visa-free entry programme that differs from mainland South Korea’s immigration rules.
Indian passport holders can enter Jeju Island without a visa, but only if they arrive directly from a foreign country. Travellers entering through mainland South Korea would require a valid South Korean visa, as the visa-free exemption applies specifically to direct arrivals to Jeju.
The incident has sparked conversations online about travel awareness, visa policies and the challenges faced by Indian passport holders abroad.
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