Korea Treatment Journey: How Many Steps From Inquiry to Return Home (2026 Guide)

The cancer treatment journey in Korea unfolds in eight stages, from initial inquiry to follow-up after returning home. The standard process is to receive a written opinion before arrival, confirm your hospital booking, and then apply for your visa.

Key Takeaways

• The entire journey consists of eight stages: Inquiry → Remote review (pre-arrival review) → Booking and contract → Visa → Arrival → Tests and treatment → Recovery and return home → Follow-up.
• The remote review (pre-arrival review) produces a written opinion within 5 business days of all records being submitted, at a cost of KRW 1,000,000; this fee is deducted from treatment costs once you contract for treatment.
• For medical visas, C-3-3 applies to short-term treatment of 90 days or less, while G-1-10 applies to longer-term treatment exceeding 90 days and to accompanying family members (per HiKorea visa guidance).
• Approximate length of stay varies greatly by treatment type: around 10 days for endoscopic resection, 2–3 weeks for laparoscopic/robotic surgery, and 6–8 weeks for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, among others.
• Starting in May 2027, under Korean law, non-face-to-face (telemedicine) consultations for foreign patients will be formally permitted, allowing follow-up check-ins and prescriptions to continue even after returning home.

What Is the Exact Sequence of the Treatment Journey?

• From inquiry to return home, the process follows the order below, with interpretation and a dedicated coordinator supporting you at every stage.
• Stage 1 – Inquiry (typically 1–3 days): Contact us by email or through the consultation channel and you'll receive a reply within 24 hours. We'll outline the records needed and the process ahead, and if you wish, schedule a 30-minute video consultation. Both the inquiry and the consultation booking are free of charge.
• Stage 2 – Remote review / pre-arrival review (5 business days from when all records are submitted): Your imaging (DICOM), biopsy results, and diagnostic reports are translated and organized, then forwarded to medical staff at a tertiary hospital. You'll receive a written opinion in your own language, a comparison of three hospitals, and a package estimate. The review fee is KRW 1,000,000 and is deducted once you contract for treatment.
• Stage 3 – Booking and contract (typically 3–7 days): During a video consultation to review the written opinion, you'll decide on the hospital and treatment plan. Once the booking confirmation is issued, you pay the deposit listed in the estimate. The deposit is a portion of the estimated treatment cost and is settled at discharge.
• Stage 4 – Visa (timeline varies by country): Based on the hospital's invitation letter and booking confirmation, you apply for C-3-3 for short-term stays or G-1-10 for long-term stays. We prepare the documents on your behalf; processing times vary considerably by country and diplomatic mission, so individualized guidance is provided.
• Stage 5 – Arrival (day of arrival): After arriving at Incheon International Airport, you'll be transported to your accommodation. That evening, your coordinator will explain the schedule ahead and emergency procedures, and together you'll confirm your passport, visa, and insurance documents.
• Stage 6 – Tests and treatment (duration varies by treatment): Necessary tests are typically completed within about three days of arrival, after which the treatment schedule and final estimate are confirmed. If results call for a change in plan, adjustments are made on the spot.
• Stage 7 – Recovery and return home (duration varies by treatment): After discharge, outpatient visits confirm wound healing and overall condition. You'll receive a multilingual clinical summary, copies of imaging, copies of prescriptions, and a handover document. Your return flight is confirmed only after medical staff clear you as fit to fly.
• Stage 8 – Follow-up (months to years): After returning home, check-ins and prescriptions continue via telemedicine. The standard concierge package includes 3 rounds of remote follow-up management, while the VIP package includes a dedicated manager for 12 months.

When and Which Type of Visa Should You Apply For?

• For short-term medical visits, C-3-3 applies (90 days or less); for longer-term treatment exceeding 90 days and for accompanying family members, G-1-10 applies. Documents issued by a registered host institution serve as the basis for visa review (per the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Medical Korea, and HiKorea).
• Applications proceed once the hospital booking is confirmed, and it's recommended to book flights only after the visa has been issued.
• If test results indicate treatment will take longer than planned and may exceed 90 days, procedures can be arranged to convert to a long-term treatment visa after arrival.

How Long Is the Length of Stay for Each Treatment?

• Length of stay varies significantly depending on the treatment method. Typical target durations include around 10 days for endoscopic resection, 2–3 weeks for laparoscopic/robotic surgery, 3–4 weeks for heavy-ion therapy, 4–7 weeks for proton therapy, 2–3 weeks for the first cycle of drug therapy, and 6–8 weeks for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
• These are general target durations; actual timelines depend on the individual's cancer stage, overall condition, and test results, so the exact schedule and timing of return home should be discussed with the treating medical team.

How Are Family Accompaniment and Interpretation Arranged?

• One accompanying family member is standard. For cases requiring additional companions — such as pediatric patients, long-term stays, or transplant patients — this is arranged in advance during the estimate stage.
• Medical interpreters accompany patients for consultations, tests, informed consent explanations, and video consultations. English, Chinese, and Russian are offered as standard, with other languages confirmed during consultation. For VIP clients, interpretation is provided in a resident (on-call/standing) arrangement.
• For consent forms requiring a signature, the interpreter explains the content sentence by sentence before you sign.

FAQ — At Which Stage Are Payments Made?

The first payment is the remote review (pre-arrival review) fee of KRW 1,000,000, followed by the hospital deposit, with the remaining treatment costs settled at discharge. Concierge service fees are listed separately in the estimate. If you contract for treatment, the review fee is deducted from the treatment costs.

FAQ — Can I Use the Same Consultation Channel After Returning Home?

The standard concierge package includes 3 rounds of remote follow-up management after returning home, while the VIP package maintains a dedicated manager for 12 months. Starting in May 2027, under Korean law, telemedicine consultations for foreign patients will be formally permitted, making it possible to arrange three-way video consultations that include your local primary physician when needed.

Sources and Notes

• This article was compiled based on information regarding the treatment journey, medical visas, frequently asked questions, post-return care, and insurance and documentation notes (HiKorea, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Medical Korea, National Cancer Center, and others).
• This content is provided for general medical information purposes only. Diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual conditions. Accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with medical professionals.