Visa and entry for medical travel to Korea

Which visa categories exist for medical travel to Korea?

There are two: Medical Tourism (C-3-3) for short stays and Treatment and Recuperation (G-1-10) for long stays. Both cover the patient and the family members or caregivers who need to travel with them.

If your nationality allows you to enter Korea without a visa, ask the Korean consulate or your hospital whether visa-free entry suits the treatment and length of stay you are planning.

How do you apply for a medical visa?

You can apply at a Korean embassy or consulate yourself, or a Korean medical institution or agency can apply to the immigration office for a visa issuance certificate on your behalf, which you then submit to the consulate.

An electronic visa for these categories is available only when the application is made by an institution that the Ministry of Justice has designated as an excellent foreign-patient inviting institution. The ministry lists three benefits for these institutions: simplified documents, an e-visa issued within 3 days of application, and a wider range of accompanying family members. As of 1 October 2026, there are 112 designated institutions.

• Visa application form and a copy of your passport
• A document showing your diagnosis
• Confirmation of your appointment from a Korean medical institution
• Proof that you can pay for treatment and your stay
• For companions, proof of the family relationship

What is K-ETA, and do you need one?

K-ETA is an online travel authorization that nationals of visa-free countries must obtain before boarding. It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry. A temporary exemption for the countries and regions already exempt runs until 31 December 2026, Korea time.

• Fee: KRW 10,000 per person plus a card processing fee, not refundable.
• Validity: 3 years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner, for multiple trips.
• Timing: assessment usually takes up to 72 hours and there is no expedited service.
• Exempt travelers may still apply voluntarily. K-ETA holders do not have to submit an arrival card.
• Apply only at www.k-eta.go.kr or in the official K-ETA app. The official site warns about look-alike sites that charge high fees.

Whether you are exempt depends on your nationality. Check on the official K-ETA site rather than on a list published elsewhere.

Do you need to fill in an arrival card?

Yes, unless you are exempt, for example because you hold a valid K-ETA. You can file it online as an e-Arrival Card free of charge, or fill in a paper card on arrival.

• The e-Arrival Card can be filed from 3 days before you arrive.
• It lapses 72 hours after submission and must be filed again for each entry.
• If you did not file online, you can still complete an e-Arrival Card or a paper card before immigration.
• The e-Arrival Card is free only at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr.

How long can you stay without a visa, and where do you check?

It depends on your nationality. The periods shown on the official K-ETA eligible-country list range from 30 days to 6 months, so check your own country before you plan a long course of treatment.

• Korea Visa Portal: visa.go.kr
• Hi Korea, the immigration service portal: hikorea.go.kr
• K-ETA official site: k-eta.go.kr
• The Korean embassy or consulate nearest to you