Korea Medical Visa Guide Korea Medical Visa (C-3-3): Who Needs It and How to Apply in 2026Whether you need a medical visa for Korea depends on your nationality and how long your treatment will take. Many travellers can enter visa-free for short outpatient care. Patients from visa-required countries, or those expecting a longer stay, usually apply for the C-3-3 medical tourism visa (up to 90 days) or the G-1-10 treatment visa (longer stays). This guide from the Korea International Medical Association (KIMA) explains the options, documents and timeline so you can plan before contacting a hospital.In 2025, about 2.01 million international patients from 201 countries received care in Korea, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.Step 1: Check whether you need a visa at all- Visa-free entry: Citizens of many countries can enter Korea without a visa for a limited period (30–90 days depending on nationality). Most visa-free travellers need K-ETA approval, although some nationalities are temporarily exempt through 31 December 2026. Check the official K-ETA website before booking.- Visa required: If your country is not on the visa-waiver list, you need a visa before travel. For medical treatment, this is normally the C-3-3 visa.- Long treatment: If your doctor expects treatment or recovery beyond 90 days (for example, cancer therapy or transplant follow-up), plan for a G-1-10 visa from the start. A short-term status generally cannot be changed inside Korea.Step 2: Compare C-3-3 and G-1-10Step 3: Prepare your documentsRequirements vary by embassy, but most applications include:- Visa application form and a recent passport photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm)- Valid passport- A treatment confirmation or appointment letter from a Korean medical institution registered to treat international patients- Proof of registration of that institution- Proof that you can pay for treatment and your stay (bank statement)- For family members: documents proving the relationshipSome embassies accept applications only through appointed visa agencies. Processing usually takes several working days. Always confirm the current list with the Korean embassy in your country or the Korea Visa Portal.Step 4: Get a treatment confirmation from a registered hospitalKIMA member hospitals are registered institutions with international patient centers. Their coordinators can:- review your medical records before you travel- issue the treatment confirmation needed for your visa- advise on how long you should plan to stayUse Find Hospitals to search member hospitals by specialty, or browse KIMA Doctors to see specialists' profiles.Step 5: Plan your stay and return- Ask the hospital for an estimated treatment schedule and recovery time before booking flights.- Request medical records and discharge summaries in English before you leave, so your local doctor can continue care.- Keep hospital contact details for follow-up questions after you return home. Frequently Asked Questions- Do I need a medical visa for a health checkup in Korea? Not always. If your nationality allows visa-free entry and the checkup takes a few days, you can usually enter visa-free with K-ETA or a K-ETA exemption.- Can my family member come with me on a medical visa? Immediate family members travelling with the patient can usually apply for the same C-3-3 category with relationship documents.- How long does a C-3-3 visa application take? Most embassies process applications in several working days, but allow extra time. Apply after you receive your hospital's treatment confirmation.- Can I extend my stay if my treatment takes longer? Extensions are decided by Korean immigration and are not guaranteed. If a long treatment is likely, discuss the G-1-10 visa with the hospital first.- Does KIMA issue visas? No. Visas are issued by Korean embassies and immigration. KIMA helps you find registered member hospitals that can provide the documents you need.Find a registered hospitalTwo steps to get started:Choose a hospital by specialty on Find Hospitals.Send your question to KIMA through Contact us. KIMA contacts the hospital for you, and the hospital replies to you directly.KIMA usually replies within 3–5 days, though this varies with the specialty and the question. You can also reach KIMA by email at kimakorea@khidi.or.kr, by phone on +82-2-362-7608~9, or by Instagram message to @kima_int. Inquiries are handled in Korean, English and Russian.Visa rules change. Information is current as of September 2026; please confirm with official sources before travel. Treatment eligibility, schedules and costs are determined after consultation with the medical institution. 82-2-362-7608~9 kimakorea@khidi.or.kr

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Korea Medical Visa Guide

October 14,2026

Korea Medical Visa (C-3-3): Who Needs It and How to Apply in 2026


Whether you need a medical visa for Korea depends on your nationality and how long your treatment will take. Many travellers can enter visa-free for short outpatient care. Patients from visa-required countries, or those expecting a longer stay, usually apply for the C-3-3 medical tourism visa (up to 90 days) or the G-1-10 treatment visa (longer stays). This guide from the Korea International Medical Association (KIMA) explains the options, documents and timeline so you can plan before contacting a hospital.

In 2025, about 2.01 million international patients from 201 countries received care in Korea, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.


Step 1: Check whether you need a visa at all


- Visa-free entry: Citizens of many countries can enter Korea without a visa for a limited period (30–90 days depending on nationality). Most visa-free travellers need K-ETA approval, although some nationalities are temporarily exempt through 31 December 2026. Check the official K-ETA website before booking.

- Visa required: If your country is not on the visa-waiver list, you need a visa before travel. For medical treatment, this is normally the C-3-3 visa.

- Long treatment: If your doctor expects treatment or recovery beyond 90 days (for example, cancer therapy or transplant follow-up), plan for a G-1-10 visa from the start. A short-term status generally cannot be changed inside Korea.


Step 2: Compare C-3-3 and G-1-10



Step 3: Prepare your documents


Requirements vary by embassy, but most applications include:

- Visa application form and a recent passport photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm)

- Valid passport

- A treatment confirmation or appointment letter from a Korean medical institution registered to treat international patients

- Proof of registration of that institution

- Proof that you can pay for treatment and your stay (bank statement)

- For family members: documents proving the relationship

Some embassies accept applications only through appointed visa agencies. Processing usually takes several working days. Always confirm the current list with the Korean embassy in your country or the Korea Visa Portal.


Step 4: Get a treatment confirmation from a registered hospital


KIMA member hospitals are registered institutions with international patient centers. Their coordinators can:

- review your medical records before you travel

- issue the treatment confirmation needed for your visa

- advise on how long you should plan to stay

Use Find Hospitals to search member hospitals by specialty, or browse KIMA Doctors to see specialists' profiles.


Step 5: Plan your stay and return


- Ask the hospital for an estimated treatment schedule and recovery time before booking flights.

- Request medical records and discharge summaries in English before you leave, so your local doctor can continue care.

- Keep hospital contact details for follow-up questions after you return home.

 

Frequently Asked Questions


- Do I need a medical visa for a health checkup in Korea? Not always. If your nationality allows visa-free entry and the checkup takes a few days, you can usually enter visa-free with K-ETA or a K-ETA exemption.

- Can my family member come with me on a medical visa? Immediate family members travelling with the patient can usually apply for the same C-3-3 category with relationship documents.

- How long does a C-3-3 visa application take? Most embassies process applications in several working days, but allow extra time. Apply after you receive your hospital's treatment confirmation.

- Can I extend my stay if my treatment takes longer? Extensions are decided by Korean immigration and are not guaranteed. If a long treatment is likely, discuss the G-1-10 visa with the hospital first.

- Does KIMA issue visas? No. Visas are issued by Korean embassies and immigration. KIMA helps you find registered member hospitals that can provide the documents you need.



Find a registered hospital


Two steps to get started:


  1. Choose a hospital by specialty on Find Hospitals.
  2. Send your question to KIMA through Contact us. KIMA contacts the hospital for you, and the hospital replies to you directly.


KIMA usually replies within 3–5 days, though this varies with the specialty and the question. You can also reach KIMA by email at kimakorea@khidi.or.kr, by phone on +82-2-362-7608~9, or by Instagram message to @kima_int. Inquiries are handled in Korean, English and Russian.


Visa rules change. Information is current as of September 2026; please confirm with official sources before travel. Treatment eligibility, schedules and costs are determined after consultation with the medical institution.


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