Table of contents

• Intro
• At a glance
• Outline of visas for medical tourism in Korea (why a tourist/visa‑free stay is usually OK)
• Tourist (C‑3) & Visa‑Free (K‑ETA)
• Medical Tourism Visas (C‑3‑3) and G‑1‑10 (Treatment & Recuperation)
• Which visa do I need?
• How to apply (step‑by‑step)
• Documents checklist (by visa type)
• Tips to avoid delays
• FAQ

For international patients visiting Korea for treatment. Rules change—always confirm with your local Korean embassy/consulate before you apply.

Intro

If you’re thinking about visiting Korea for medical tourism, you’re probably wondering whether you need a visa—and if so, which kind. The short version: for cosmetic/short‑term care, many travelers use visa‑free (K‑ETA) or a Tourist Visa (C‑3); for longer treatment, hospitalization, or when a guardian must accompany you, there are medical/treatment visas.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover at a glance who uses which visa, outline the main options, explain each visa type with pros/cons, walk through how to apply, and give you document checklists and tips to avoid delays.

At a glance

• Most cosmetic/dermatology/dental/check‑ups: enter visa‑free (K‑ETA) if eligible for your nationality, or apply for a Tourist Visa (C‑3).
• Serious illness, rehab, inpatient care, guardian needed: apply for Medical Tourism (C‑3‑3) or Treatment & Recuperation (G‑1‑10) with an invitation from your Korean medical institution.
• Always ask your clinic which visa they recommend for your case, and whether they can provide an invitation if you need a medical/treatment visa.

Outline of visas for medical tourism in Korea (why a tourist/visa‑free stay is usually OK)

Under Korean medical tourism regulations, short‑term medical services such as plastic surgery, dermatology, dentistry, and health check‑ups can be received with a regular Tourist Visa (C‑3 short‑term visit) or even through visa‑free entry (K‑ETA), if your nationality allows.

In fact, many international patients come to Korea on a tourist visa—or visa‑free—to undergo procedures and return home.

We’ll explain each visa below and compare pros and cons so you can choose confidently.

Tourist (C‑3) & Visa‑Free (K‑ETA)

• Many nationalities can enter Korea visa‑free with a K‑ETA pre‑authorization and receive short‑term medical services (cosmetic, skin, dental, check‑ups) during their stay.
• Others apply for a C‑3 short‑term visa at a consulate.
• Duration and eligibility vary by passport—confirm your country’s terms, K‑ETA eligibility, and any temporary waivers.

What to carry: hotel/clinic addresses, appointment letters, return ticket, and proof of funds/travel insurance.

Medical Tourism Visas (C‑3‑3) and G‑1‑10 (Treatment & Recuperation)

Choose these when you need longer stays, inpatient care/rehab, or when a guardian must accompany you. These visas allow longer stays (up to 1 year, with possible extensions).

Typical steps:

1. Contact a Korean medical institution and book treatment.
2. The clinic issues an invitation (and, if applicable, a visa issuance number).
3. You (or a recognized facilitator) apply at the embassy/consulate or via the E‑Visa system where available.
4. Receive your visa and travel.

Guardians/family: Some programs allow a guardian to apply for a dependent/companion visa linked to your case.

Documents often requested (examples):

• Passport (6+ months), application form, photo
• Clinic invitation and treatment plan
• Proof of funds/insurance and travel plans
• For guardians: proof of relationship to the patient

Tip: Use clinics registered to treat foreign patients; they understand invitation paperwork and the visa issuance process.

Which visa do I need?

Use this table to choose the visa that fits your treatment length and complexity.

Category	Tourist Visa (C‑3) / Visa‑Free (K‑ETA)	Medical Tourism (C‑3‑3) / Treatment & Recuperation (G‑1‑10)
Best for	Cosmetic & aesthetic procedures (plastic surgery, dermatology, dentistry), health check‑ups, short‑term medical visits	Serious illnesses, long‑term hospitalization/rehab, cases needing a guardian or extended stay
Typical stay	Up to 90 days (varies by nationality)	Up to long‑term stay (e.g., to 1 year with extensions, case‑by‑case)
Entry route	Visa‑free K‑ETA (if eligible) or C‑3 via consulate	Consulate/E‑Visa with invitation from medical institution (and sometimes via recognized facilitators)
Pros	Fast, simple; widely available	Enables longer stays, better for complex care; guardians may obtain dependent visas
Limits	Harder to extend; not ideal for prolonged treatment	More documents; must show medical purpose & invitation

Practical cases

• Cosmetic / short‑term patients → Usually enter with tourist visa or visa‑free and undergo treatment.
• Severe illness / long‑term treatment (e.g., cancer, transplants, rehabilitation) → Require a medical tourism/treatment visa.
• Certain regions (Russia, Mongolia, CIS, etc.) → Patients often prefer the medical/treatment visa for easier extensions and guardian accompaniment.

Sources: official Medical Korea and Korean embassy guidance on medical tourist visas, K‑ETA/visa‑free entry, and invitation‑based processing.

How to apply (step‑by‑step)

Below is a full pathway organized by visa type. Each path shows who it’s for, what to prepare, and the issuance routes (Direct Embassy, Confirmation of Visa Issuance, and E‑Visa).

K‑ETA / Visa‑Free (short stays; many nationalities)

Who this fits: Cosmetic/dermatology/dental/check‑ups or other short‑term care when your nationality is visa‑exempt and eligible for K‑ETA.

What to prepare

• Passport valid 6+ months from return date
• K‑ETA approval (if your nationality requires it)
• Clinic appointment letter (PDF), address & phone
• Return/onward ticket, proof of funds, and travel insurance

Application route

You → K‑ETA website/app → Electronic approval → Travel with approval + clinic letter

Timing: Apply at least 72 hours before departure (earlier in peak seasons).

Notes: Be truthful at entry (tourism + short‑term medical). Carry documents in paper + PDF.

C‑3 (Tourist) — short‑term visa via consulate

Who this fits: Short‑term visits when you are not visa‑free/K‑ETA‑eligible, or you prefer a stamped visa.

What to prepare (examples; consulates can add items)

• Passport (6+ months), photo, visa application form
• Itinerary & accommodation proofs
• Clinic appointment/estimate (optional but helpful)
• Proof of funds and travel insurance

Issuance route: Direct Embassy/Consulate

You must visit or follow your mission’s submission method.

Applicant → Submit application → Consulate reviews → Visa issued → Travel to Korea

Timing: Commonly 1–3+ weeks depending on country/season.

Stay vs. validity: Entry validity window (e.g., 3 or 6 months) is not the same as allowed stay, which is typically up to 90 days per entry.

C‑3‑3 (Medical Tourist) / G‑1‑10 (Treatment & Recuperation)

Who this fits: Cases needing medical‑purpose entry with documentation from a clinic/facilitator, longer stays, inpatient/rehab, or when a guardian must accompany you.

Quick scope

• C‑3‑3: Short‑term medical entry (stay up to 90 days). Requires invitation from a registered medical institution/facilitator.
• G‑1‑10: Longer‑term medical/treatment stay (typically up to ~1 year, extendable). May be used for patients without prior invitation and for guardians/family.

Documents (examples)

• Passport, photo, application form
• Clinic invitation & treatment plan (C‑3‑3) / medical purpose documentation (G‑1‑10)
• Proof of funds/insurance; travel plans
• Guardian/family: proof of relationship

Issuance routes (choose one)

A) Direct Embassy/Consulate (by patient)

Applicant → Submit application → Consulate reviews → Visa issued → Travel

B) Confirmation of Visa Issuance (by clinic/facilitator via Visa.go.kr)

Embassy visit still required to finalize.

Inviting party → Online application (Visa.go.kr) → Issuance confirmation →
You visit mission & pay fee → Visa issued → Travel

C) Electronic Visa (E‑Visa)

No embassy visit when eligible. May be submitted by you or a designated proxy e‑visa agency/clinic.

(Direct) You → e‑application → Electronic approval → Print e‑visa → Travel
(Proxy) Clinic/agency → e‑application → Electronic approval → Print e‑visa → Travel

Validity & stay (typical)

• C‑3‑3: Single (3 mo) / Double (6 mo) / Multiple (up to 1 year) entry validity; stay up to 90 days per entry.
• G‑1‑10: Often Multiple (1 year) entry validity with stay up to ~1 year, extendable case‑by‑case.

Good to know

• If you started on visa‑free/C‑3 but need >90 days, you’ll generally need a change of status with immigration.
• Use clinics registered to treat foreign patients; they understand invitations and visa issuance numbers.

Documents checklist (by visa type)

K‑ETA / Visa‑Free

• Passport valid 6+ months
• K‑ETA approval (if required for your nationality)
• Clinic appointment details and contact
• Return/onward ticket; proof of funds; travel insurance

C‑3 (Tourist)

• Passport + photo + application form
• Travel itinerary & accommodation
• Clinic appointment letter / estimate (optional but helpful)
• Proof of funds; travel insurance

C‑3‑3 / G‑1‑10 (Medical/Treatment)

• All of the above plus: clinic invitation/treatment plan, visa issuance number (if provided), and for guardians, relationship documents

Besides a visa, what other documents do I need to prepare for medical tourism in Korea? 5‑Document Checklist for Medical Tourism in Korea

Tips to avoid delays

• Make sure names match exactly across passport, tickets, and clinic paperwork.
• Ask the clinic which visa they recommend and if they can provide an invitation.
• If using a facilitator/agency, confirm they’re recognized and ask whether E‑Visa is available in your country.
• Print and keep PDF copies of everything (visa/K‑ETA, itinerary, clinic letters, insurance).

FAQ

Can I receive medical care on visa‑free/K‑ETA or a C‑3 tourist visa?

Yes, for short‑term medical services (cosmetic, dermatology, dental, check‑ups) if your nationality’s entry rules allow. For longer or inpatient care, use C‑3‑3/G‑1‑10.

Do I need to say I’m coming for medical treatment?

Be truthful. Short‑term medical services are permitted under the relevant short‑stay categories for eligible nationalities.

Can my family come with me?

Under medical/treatment visas, guardians/family may qualify for dependent/companion visas tied to your case (check requirements).

How long does it take to get a medical visa?

Varies by country/season and whether your clinic provides an invitation/issuance number. Apply at least 3–6 weeks ahead.

Final word

Pick the visa that matches your treatment length and complexity. For many cosmetic procedures, K‑ETA/visa‑free or a C‑3 tourist visa works. For longer treatment or when a guardian must join, use C‑3‑3/G‑1‑10 with a clinic invitation. When in doubt, confirm with your embassy/consulate and your clinic—they process these every day and know the local rules.