Visa Extensions for Medical Treatment in Korea: What to Do If Your Treatment Runs Long (2026 Guide)

If your treatment looks likely to exceed 90 days, the standard approach is to switch to the long-term treatment visa G-1-10, or to apply at the immigration office after entry for a change of status of stay or an extension of your period of stay.

Key Takeaways

• The short-term medical visa C-3-3 is, in principle, for stays of 90 days or less. Treatment lasting beyond 90 days and accompanying family members are covered under G-1-10 status (per HiKorea visa guidance).
• If there is a chance your stay may run long, it is safer to start preparing right from arrival — either by considering a long-term visa from the outset, or by applying for a change of status or extension of stay after entry.
• Visa issuance, processing times, and whether an extension is approved are matters decided by the overseas diplomatic mission or the immigration office; a receiving institution cannot assure these outcomes.
• The invitation documents issued by a registered receiving institution and a confirmed hospital appointment letter form the basis for review, and if lodging extends past 90 days, it is common to switch to a weekly or monthly long-term lease.
• If treatment runs longer than originally planned, it is recommended to prepare both a lodging extension and the long-term treatment visa conversion process together.

How does C-3-3 convert to G-1-10?

• C-3-3 covers tests, surgery, short courses of radiation therapy, or a first cycle of drug therapy that finish within 90 days, while G-1-10 applies to longer-stay treatments such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, CAR-T, or proton therapy, as well as cases requiring a lengthy post-treatment monitoring period.
• In practice, situations do arise where the initial assumption of 'finishing within 90 days' turns out to be wrong — for example, additional chemotherapy after surgery, or an extended recovery period following a transplant. If such a possibility seems likely, it is safer to consider a long-term visa from the start, or to prepare in advance for a post-arrival change-of-status procedure.
• After entry, the process generally proceeds through the immigration office changing your status of stay or extending your period of stay. However, approval is at the immigration office's discretion and is not automatic.

What is the sequence for applying for an extension or change of status?

• Step 1 — Check with your medical team in advance on the likelihood that treatment will exceed 90 days. In principle, you should consult well before your current period of stay ends.
• Step 2 — Prepare a confirmed hospital appointment letter and a written opinion from the medical team (including diagnosis, required treatment, and expected duration) corresponding to long-term treatment.
• Step 3 — Prepare an invitation letter from a registered receiving institution, your stay schedule and lodging information, and documents proving your ability to cover costs. Accompanying family members or caregivers who need to provide care will additionally need documents proving their relationship, such as a family relationship certificate.
• Step 4 — Apply to the immigration office for a change of status of stay or an extension of period of stay. Processing times vary considerably depending on the country and the diplomatic mission or agency involved.
• Step 5 — Once approval is confirmed, convert your lodging contract to a weekly or monthly long-term lease, and also review the number of accompanying family members and your ability to cover the cost of their stay.

FAQ — What if I already entered Korea on a tourist visa and my treatment turns out to take longer?

Even if you entered the country for tourism or business purposes and treatment subsequently becomes necessary, you can apply for a change of status of stay or an extension of period of stay. That said, approval is at the discretion of the immigration office, and in principle, if the purpose of your stay is clearly medical, you should apply for a medical-purpose visa from the outset. It is important to consult well before your current period of stay expires.

FAQ — Can family members also have their period of stay extended together?

Accompanying family members and caregivers of a patient who requires care can stay together if the need is recognized. This applies to, for example, the parents of a child patient, or the spouse or children of a patient with limited mobility. You will need documents proving the number of accompanying persons and their relationship (family relationship certificate, birth certificate, etc.), as well as confirmation of the ability to cover costs for the duration of the stay. It is recommended to decide on the number of accompanying persons in advance before applying.

Sources and Notes

• This article was written based on notes on medical visas, the treatment journey, and stay and lodging (sources: HiKorea, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Medical Korea).
• This content is intended to provide general medical information, and diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual conditions. Please be sure to consult with a medical professional to determine an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.