Korea Medical Beauty Visa: The Complete Guide to Application Process and Fees (2026 Updated)
In recent years, South Korea’s medical aesthetics technology and services have earned an international reputation. From minimally invasive procedures, skin management, and laser treatments to plastic surgery, the country attracts a large number of overseas visitors who travel specifically to Korea for cosmetic care. However, going to Korea for medical aesthetic treatment differs from ordinary tourist travel when it comes to visa applications. If your treatment requires a longer stay, or if you wish to enter the country under the designation of “medical tourism,” you must apply for a dedicated medical aesthetic visa. This article provides a complete explanation of the types of Korean medical aesthetic visas, the application process, required documents, and a detailed breakdown of fees, helping you plan a safe and lawful medical beauty trip to Korea.
Difference Between Medical Aesthetic Visas and Regular Tourist Visas
Many people assume they can simply use a tourist visa (C-3-9) to undergo medical aesthetics in Korea. In fact, the two differ significantly in terms of purpose of entry and flexibility of stay. A tourist visa lists “travel” as the purpose of entry, generally allowing a stay of up to 90 days, and does not permit any profit-related activities beyond medical care. By contrast, a medical aesthetic visa explicitly states “medical treatment” or “medical tourism” as the purpose of entry, and the application must include an appointment confirmation or treatment plan issued by a licensed Korean medical institution. More importantly, certain medical visas can be extended while you are inside Korea, giving medical aesthetic travelers who need multiple follow-up visits and post-operative recovery greater peace of mind, and helping avoid the negative record that comes with overstaying.
Main Types of Medical Aesthetic Visas
Korean medical aesthetic visas are mainly divided into two types:
First, the C-3-3 Short-Term Medical Visa. It applies to short-term medical aesthetic procedures with a stay of 90 days or less, such as minimally invasive treatments, skin management, laser spot removal, and dental whitening. This visa can be issued for single or multiple entries; the multiple-entry visa is typically valid for one year, which is convenient for travelers who plan to undergo treatment in stages or make several trips within a short period. If you are arranging a roughly one-week medical beauty vacation, a single-entry C-3-3 visa is sufficient.
Second, the G-1-10 Medical Stay Visa. It applies to major medical or plastic surgery procedures requiring a long stay (over 90 days), such as orthognathic surgery, full-body plastic surgery, or procedures that need extended post-operative recovery. The biggest advantage of G-1-10 is that it can be extended while inside Korea, and it allows a spouse or immediate family member to accompany the patient, solving the accommodation and care concerns during a long treatment period. This type of visa is reviewed more strictly and usually requires a more complete treatment plan and proof of financial capability.
Four Steps of the Application Process
Step 1: Choose a Korean medical institution and obtain an appointment confirmation. It is recommended to select a medical tourism institution certified by Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare. The hospital will issue a formal appointment confirmation and treatment plan, which is the most core document for the visa application—without it, submission is almost impossible.
Step 2: Prepare the application materials. In addition to basic documents such as passport, photo, and application form, you must attach the hospital appointment confirmation, a copy of the hospital’s business license, proof of financial capability, round-trip flight reservation, and accommodation confirmation. Make sure all documents are complete and clearly printed.
Step 3: Submit the application. You may submit in person at the Korean embassy or visa center in your area, or entrust a qualified agency to handle it. Some regions have opened online appointment submission, which can greatly reduce on-site waiting time. It is recommended to check the receiving unit’s acceptance method online in advance.
Step 4: Wait for review and collect the visa. The standard review period is five to seven business days; expedited processing takes about two to three business days. Once approved, you can collect the visa; whether it is a sticker visa or an e-visa depends on the visa category. It is generally recommended to allow at least two weeks of buffer time so as not to affect your scheduled treatment date.
Required Documents Checklist
To apply for a medical aesthetic visa, you typically need the following documents: a valid passport (with at least six months validity), a visa application form, a recent passport-style photo with white background, the Korean medical institution’s appointment confirmation and treatment plan, a copy of the medical institution’s business license, proof of financial capability (such as a bank balance certificate for the last six months, with an amount recommended at NTD 100,000 or equivalent in foreign currency or above), a round-trip flight reservation, and Korean accommodation confirmation. If using an agency, you must also provide a power of attorney and the agency’s business certificate. For any foreign-language documents that are neither English nor Korean, it is best to attach a translation to speed up the review.
Detailed Fee Breakdown
Visa fees can be divided into three parts:
| Fee Item | Description | Reference Amount (NTD) |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | Charged by number of entries; adjusted with exchange rate and annual announcement | Single ~NT$1,000; double ~NT$1,700; multiple ~NT$2,200 |
| Visa center service fee | Basic service fee for self-submission | ~NT$300 to NT$600 |
| Agency fee | Service fee if using an agency, varies by scope | ~NT$3,000 to NT$8,000 |
| Medical deposit | Required by some hospitals as prepayment, deductible from actual treatment cost | Depends on hospital and procedure |
| Expedited fee | About double the original government fee | Calculated on original government fee |
Among these, the government fee varies by number of entries: a single-entry visa is about NTD 1,000, double entry about NTD 1,700, and multiple entry about NTD 2,200 (actual amounts adjust with exchange rate and annual announcements). If you submit on your own, you only pay the basic service fee; if you use an agency, the fee is roughly NTD 3,000 to 8,000. The medical deposit is a prepayment some Korean hospitals require to ensure follow-up visits; this amount is deducted from the actual medical expenses and is not an extra loss—you can confirm with the hospital whether it is charged before applying.
Tip: The expedited fee is usually double the original government fee. It is recommended to plan ahead and submit normally to avoid wasting money. Also, all fees are subject to change with Korean official announcements and exchange rates; the actual amount should follow the visa center’s published rates at the time of submission.
Notes and Frequently Asked Questions
The purpose of stay must be medical-related. The medical aesthetic visa lists medical treatment as the purpose of entry. If you are found engaging in work or activities unrelated to medical care, you may be denied entry or have your visa revoked, and in serious cases it will affect future applications.
Proof of financial capability is a key review point. Insufficient funds, unclear sources of money, or a sudden large deposit shortly before application can easily lead to rejection. It is recommended to maintain a stable balance for several months in advance and prepare salary certificates or tax returns as supporting evidence.
Choose medical institutions carefully. Be sure to confirm that the institution holds medical tourism certification; otherwise, an unqualified facility could affect the validity of your visa and even create risks where medical disputes leave you with no recourse.
Allow buffer for post-operative recovery. Medical aesthetic procedures involve a swelling and recovery period. When booking flights and accommodation, leave ample time; do not rush home before the swelling subsides. Also, do not forget to take out overseas medical insurance for unforeseen needs.
Conclusion
Going to Korea for medical aesthetic treatment and obtaining a dedicated medical visa not only lets you receive care legally and safely, but also gives you greater flexibility in stay duration and follow-up scheduling. Overall, the application process is not complicated. The key is to select a qualified medical institution in advance, prepare complete proof of financial capability and appointment confirmation, and allow about one to two weeks of processing time. As long as you prepare step by step, you too can embark on a safe and comfortable medical beauty journey in Korea.