Which visa do you need to get treated in Korea, and in what order does it all happen? Short-term care uses the C-3-3 medical visa (up to 90 days); long-term care uses G-1-10 (up to 1 year). Here's the entire process at a glance — from consultation to visa, arrival, procedure, return, and aftercare.
🛂 Which Medical Visa Do You Need?
- C-3-3 (short-term medical tourism): treatment/stay up to 90 days. Single-entry. Covers the patient and accompanying family (spouse, lineal ascendants/descendants).
- G-1-10 (long-term treatment): stay of 91 days or more, up to 1 year, multiple-entry, extendable. If you enter on C-3-3/B and need long-term care, you change to this status.
📌 Key point: both visas require an invitation / treatment confirmation from a government-registered medical institution. Booking the clinic comes first.
🧭 The Full Process (8 Steps)
1. Online consultation — Send photos/information to the clinic; confirm whether the procedure is suitable and get an estimate.
2. Confirm the booking — Align dates and receive an itemized written quote.
3. Invitation documents — The clinic issues proof of medical purpose (invitation / treatment confirmation).
4. Apply for the visa — Choose embassy/consulate, e-Visa, or visa issuance confirmation.
5. Arrival — Enter Korea after the visa is issued; airport pickup and transfer to lodging.
6. Visit & procedure — In-person consultation (confirm the operating surgeon) → exams → procedure/surgery.
7. Recovery & stay — Suture removal and follow-up checks. If you must stay longer, extend with a doctor's letter.
8. Return & aftercare — Remote (telemedicine) follow-up manages recovery after you fly home.
📄 Documents for C-3-3 (Example)
- Visa (issuance) application form, passport copy, standard photo
- Proof of medical purpose issued by the clinic (invitation / treatment confirmation)
- Proof of financial capacity for treatment and living costs
- Copy of the clinic's attraction-institution registration & business license (provided by the clinic)
⏱️ Timeline, Cost, Extension
- Processing: typically about 5–10 business days. Apply at least 4 weeks before your procedure date.
- Application fee (reference): C-3-3 ~₩40,000–60,000 ($30–45); G-1-10 ~₩60,000–90,000 ($45–70).
- Extension: if recovery requires a longer stay, extend at the immigration office with a doctor's letter. Beyond 90 days, you must apply to change your status.
💡 Good to Know
- Simple cosmetic treatments can sometimes be done on visa-free / short-term entry, but staying for "medical purposes" generally requires a medical visa. Check your nationality and stay requirements in advance.
- The clinic's international team (coordinators) handles much of the visa/paperwork. First confirm the clinic is a registered attraction institution.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I come without a visa and get treated?
A. Simple procedures are sometimes possible on visa-free/tourist entry, but medical-purpose stays and long-term care generally require C-3-3/G-1-10. Check requirements for your nationality.
Q. Can family come too?
A. C-3-3 can be issued to the patient and accompanying family (spouse, lineal ascendants/descendants).
Q. How early should I prepare?
A. Allowing 5–10 business days for processing, start clinic consultation and visa prep at least 4 weeks before your procedure.
🔎 Sources
- Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice — C-3-3 / G-1-10 visa guidance
- MEDICAL KOREA international patient information system — visa & process FAQ
- Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) — registered institutions
* Visa rules, fees, and processing times may change — confirm the latest with the embassy/consulate or the clinic's international team before applying. This article is general information.
