• Visa Issuance & VAT Refund at Medical Tourism Support Center

        • 12/20/2023

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        • Korea_Medical_Tourism

        • Visa_and_Tax_Refund

        • Medical_Visa

        • Cosmetic_Surgery_Tax_Refund

  • Visa Issuance
    VAT Refund

    Types of Visa

    Medical Tourist Visa (C-3-3)

    Issued to Foreign patients who have an invitation from a medical institution or from a facilitator for international patients and who wish to enter Korea for treatment or recuperation at the medical institution in Korea.
    Period Short-term visa (90 days or less)
    Valid Period Differs by single, double, or multi-entry visa (three months for single entry; six months for double entry; and five years for multiple entries); requirements are the same

    Treatment and Recuperation Visa (G-1-10)

    Issued to
    • Foreign patients who do not have an invitation from a medical institution or a facilitator for international patients but wish to enter Korea for treatment or recuperation at a medical institution in the country.
    • A family member or a caregiver who needs to enter Korea with the foreign patient to take care of the patient, etc.
    Period Long-term visa (within one year)
    Valid Period Differs by single, double, or multi-entry visa (three months for single entry; six months for double entry; and five years for multiple entries); requirements are the same
    • Eligibility for an invitation to apply for a medical tourist visa (C-3-3) is granted to registered medical institutions or facilitators for international patients under the Medical Service Act. The inviting party must submit an application for confirmation of visa issuance online (via Visa.go.kr).
    • If medical treatment or care is needed for a duration of not more than 90 days, a tourist visa or other visitation visa can be issued for the medical treatment or care. However, if the period of stay needs to be extended, a change in residence status is required.

    Visa Issuance Methods

    Direct Application to the Embassy (Consulate) of the Republic of Korea(by Patients)

    • Applicant

      Submit an application

    • Consulate

      Receive and review
      the application

    • Consulate

      Issue the visa

    • Applicant

      Enter the
      Republic of Korea

    Confirmation of Visa Issuance (by Inviting Party or Visa Agency)

    * To obtain a visa, one needs to visit the embassy in person.

    • Prepare electronic
      application

    • Receive and review
      the application

    • check the result and
      download visa
      application

    • Apply for a visa at an
      overseas mission and
      pay the processing fee

    • Issue the visa

    Application for Electronic Visa (by Patient or Inviting Party)

    * No need to visit the embassy

    Direct Application

    • Prepare electronic
      application

    • Electronic
      approval

    • Confirm
      invitation

    • Receive and review
      the application

    • Print and send
      electronic
      confirmation of visa
      issuance

    Proxy Application through Invitation

    • Prepare electronic
      application

    • Electronic approval

    • Receive and review
      the application

    • Print and send
      electronic
      confirmation of visa
      issuance

    Detailed Information for Issuance of Medical Tourist Visa (C-3-3)

    Item Direct Application to the
    Embassy (Consulate) of
    the Republic of Korea
    Confirmation of Visa Issuance
    (application by proxy available)
    Electronic Visa
    (application by proxy available)
    Issued for Foreigners entering Korea for medical treatment or recuperation purposes, as well as family members and caregivers who need to accompany the foreign patient(s) for caregiving, etc.
    Application Conditions The patient and accompanying family member(s) The patient and caregiving family member(s)
    Valid Period Single entry visa (valid for three months)
    Double entry visa (valid for six months)
    *Can stay for up to 90 days in the case of visa issuance
    Single entry visa (valid for three months)
    Double entry visa (valid for six months)
    *Can stay for up to 90 days in the case of visa issuance
    Single entry visa (valid for three months)
    Double entry visa (valid for six months)
    Multiple entry visa (valid for one year)
    *Can stay for up to 90 days in the case of visa issuance.

    Detailed Information for Issuance of Treatment and Recuperation Visa (G-1-10)

    Item Direct Application to
    the Embassy (Consulate) of
    the Republic of Korea
    Confirmation of Visa Issuance
    (application by proxy available)
    Electronic Visa
    (application by proxy available)
    Issued for ① Foreigners entering Korea for medical treatment or recuperation purposes (treatment period is 91 days or longer)
    ② family members and caregivers who need to accompany the foreign patient(s) for caregiving, etc.
    Application Conditions ① Foreign nationals seeking entry for medical treatment (recuperation) purposes without an invitation from a medical institution or facilitator for international patients for a treatment period of 91 days or longer.
    ② Spouse and accompanying family member(s) for purposes such as caregiving, etc.
    ① Foreign nationals seeking entry for medical treatment (recuperation) purposes with an invitation from a medical institution or facilitator for international patients for a treatment period of 91 days or longer.
    ② Spouse and accompanying family member(s) for purposes such as caregiving, etc.
    ① Foreign nationals invited by an excellent medical institution or facilitator for international patients, which was designated as a proxy e-visa application agency, for a treatment period of 91 days or longer
    ② Spouse and accompanying family member(s) for purposes such as caregiving, etc.
    Valid Period Single entry visa (valid for three months) Multiple entry visa (valid for one year) Multiple entry visa (valid for one year)
    • Contact the Immigration Contact Center for other inquiries
    • Tel: 1345 (without area code) / +82-1345 from overseas/ Republic of Korea

    About the VAT Refund System

    Foreign tourists who receive plastic surgery worth KRW 30,000 or more at a tax refund-affiliated medical institution can get a VAT refund before leaving Korea.

    Amount of refund: 10% of medical expenses including VAT after deducting transaction fees

    VAT Refund Recipient

    Foreign tourists who will stay in Korea for six months or under

    Those who leave Korea within three months of receiving plastic surgery

    Hospitals and Treatments Subject to VAT Refunds

    For cosmetic treatment purposes only

    Category Medical Services
    Eyes Double eyelid surgery, upper blepharoplasty, ptosis correction surgery, etc.
    Nose Rhinoplasty, dorsal hump/long nose reduction surgery, crooked nose plastic surgery, nasal tip rhinoplasty, septoplasty, etc.
    Facial Contour Square jaw reduction surgery, genioplasty, zygomatic bone reduction, zygoma augmentation, forehead plastic surgery, etc.
    Lips Lip augmentation, lip reduction, etc.
    Ears Otoplasty, pinned ear correction, etc.
    Body Shape Liposuction, breast plastic surgery (breast augmentation/reduction, breast lift surgery, etc.), etc.
    Teeth Teeth whitening, dental veneers, gum reshaping
    Other Wrinkle removal surgery, fat grafting surgery

    Refund Procedure

    • Check medical institutions and treatments subject to VAT refunds

    • Submit passport and flight ticket to the medical institution

    • Receive medical treatment

    • A sales certificate of medical service issued after treatment

    • Submit the certificate to a VAT refund point(airport, port, downtown)

    • VAT refunded

    Where and How to Get a Refund

    Refund Point Get a refund at an airport (Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, etc.)/port (Incheon, Busan, Jeju, etc.) or downtown before leaving Korea
    Refund Condition Payment amount of KRW 30,000 or more
    Tax Refund Agency Can use all tax refund agencies (proxy service available)
    Necessary Documents Passport, documentary evidence (receipt)

    Where to Get a Refund at Incheon International Airport

    Terminal 1 Terminal 2
    Near gate 28 at the duty-free zone on the 3rd floor Near gate 253 at the duty-free zone on the 3rd floor