What Visa Do You Need for Cancer Treatment in Korea? (as of 2026)

To receive cancer treatment in Korea, a medical-purpose visa is required: short-term treatment within 90 days calls for the medical tourism visa C-3-3, while longer-term treatment exceeding 90 days and accompanying family members should apply for G-1-10.

Key Summary

• For short-term treatment of 90 days or less, the applicable visa is C-3-3, the medical tourism category under Short-Term Visit (C-3) (HiKorea visa guide).
• For treatment exceeding 90 days and for accompanying family members, the G-1-10 category under Other (G-1), covering medical treatment and recuperation, applies (HiKorea visa guide).
• Institutions that attract foreign patients must be registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and documents issued by registered institutions serve as the basis for visa review (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Medical Korea).
• Whether a visa is issued and how long review takes are matters for the overseas Korean mission to decide, and this cannot be assured by the host institution.
• The Ministry of Justice handles immigration and stay management, while the Ministry of Health and Welfare handles registration and oversight of institutions attracting foreign patients, so procedures from both ministries are involved.

How Do C-3-3 and G-1-10 Differ?

• C-3-3 applies to treatment where the stay does not exceed 3 months, such as diagnostic tests, surgery, short courses of radiation therapy, or the first cycle of drug therapy. G-1-10 applies to longer treatments requiring extended stays, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, CAR-T therapy, or proton therapy, as well as cases requiring a follow-up management period after treatment.
• Applications are submitted at the Korean mission in the applicant's country of residence, with a confirmed hospital appointment letter and an invitation document from the host institution serving as the key supporting evidence. When it is hard to tell whether treatment will be completed within 90 days (for example, additional chemotherapy after surgery, or extended management after a transplant), it is advisable to consider applying for a long-term visa from the outset, or to prepare for a change of status after entry.
• After entry, it is common to change status of stay or extend the period of stay at the immigration office. Accompanying family members and caregivers of patients who need nursing care may also stay together if the need is recognized, which requires documents proving the relationship (family relationship certificate, birth certificate, etc.) and confirmation of financial capacity to cover costs.

What Is the Visa Application Process and What Documents Are Needed?

• Step 1, remote review (pre-arrival review) — Based on imaging (DICOM), biopsy results, and medical records, a written opinion from the medical team is obtained (review fee KRW 1,000,000 [about US$730], deducted from treatment costs upon signing a treatment contract).
• Step 2, appointment and contract — Once the hospital appointment is confirmed, a confirmation letter is issued.
• Step 3, preparing invitation documents — The basic set includes a copy of the host institution's registration certificate, an invitation letter, the hospital appointment confirmation, the medical team's written opinion, the stay schedule and accommodation details, and proof of financial capacity to cover costs.
• Step 4, applying at the mission — Submitted together with a passport, photo, and application form at the Korean mission in the country of residence; required documents vary by mission, so it is essential to check the latest guidance right before applying.
• Step 5, review — Review periods vary greatly by country and mission, so if notarized translations or apostilles are needed, it is safer to book flights only after the visa has been issued.

FAQ — I Already Entered Korea on a Tourist Visa. Can I Still Receive Treatment?

If the purpose is clearly medical treatment, it is best to apply for a medical-purpose visa from the start. However, if treatment becomes necessary after entering the country for tourism or business, you may apply for a change of status of stay or an extension of the period of stay; whether this is approved is at the discretion of the immigration office and is not processed automatically. It is advisable to consult well before the current period of stay expires.

FAQ — Can Visa Issuance Be Assured?

Visa issuance cannot be assured. Whether a visa is issued is decided by the overseas Korean mission. The best that can be done is to accurately prepare the invitation documents, appointment confirmation, and written opinion, and to check each mission's requirements in advance — this is part of the process in which a registered host institution prepares the supporting documents needed for visa review (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Medical Korea).

Sources and Notes

• This article was written based on notes on medical visas, insurance and documentation, and the treatment journey (sources: HiKorea, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Medical Korea).
• This content is provided for general medical information purposes only, and diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual conditions. Accurate diagnosis and treatment should always be determined through consultation with your medical team.