Where Can Family Stay During Treatment in Korea? (2026 Guide)

Family members typically stay together at a residence within walking distance of the hospital, switching to weekly or monthly contracts if the stay runs long, with meals, transport, and interpretation arranged as well.

Key Summary

• Accommodation is normally a residence within walking distance of the hospital, booked with a kitchen and washing machine so family members can stay together.
• If the stay exceeds 3 weeks, the arrangement switches to a weekly or monthly contract, and if it exceeds 90 days, a process to convert to a long-term treatment visa (G-1-10) becomes necessary.
• Dietary requirements such as halal, vegetarian, kosher, or low-sodium can be arranged in advance through a nearby restaurant connection, meal delivery, or in-residence cooking, whichever fits best.
• During isolation ward periods, such as for hematopoietic stem cell transplants, visits are restricted, so family waits at hospital-area accommodation while an interpreter explains the visitation rules.
• Accommodation, meals, and transport fees are itemized separately from medical fees in the estimate; the only fixed amount on the site is the remote review (pre-arrival review) fee of KRW 1,000,000 (deducted from treatment costs once the treatment contract is signed).

What kind of accommodation does family stay in?

• A residence near the hospital is the standard option. It comes with a kitchen and washing machine so meals can be prepared directly, and rooms are arranged to match the number of accompanying family members.
• Under the VIP package, hotels or serviced residences with housekeeping, breakfast, and 24-hour front desk service can be chosen, which is convenient for long outpatient periods or when several family members are accompanying.
• During hospitalization, the patient stays in a hospital room; whether a single room or special room is assigned, and whether a caregiver bed is provided, varies by hospital and is confirmed at the time of contract. Even if requested, availability cannot be promised until confirmed.
• For treatments that are generally outpatient, such as particle therapy (heavy ion or proton), daily trips to and from the hospital are required, so whether the accommodation is within walking distance of the hospital greatly affects quality of life during the treatment period.

How does the accommodation contract change for longer stays? (Long-term stay procedure)

• Step 1: Once a stay exceeds 3 weeks, the contract method differs from short-term lodging, switching to weekly or monthly terms. For long treatments such as proton therapy (4–7 weeks), hematopoietic stem cell transplant (6–8 weeks), or CAR-T (over two months), it is better to start with a long-term contract from the outset.
• Step 2: Daily living matters such as laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, and medical waste disposal are sorted out early in the contract period.
• Step 3: If the stay exceeds 90 days, a process to switch to a long-term treatment visa (G-1-10) after entry becomes necessary, so preparation should begin early if this looks likely. Detailed visa categories are explained in a separate note.
• Step 4: Spending weeks in an unfamiliar place can be exhausting for both patient and family, so a coordinator who speaks the same language checks in regularly and connects psychological support if needed.

Where does family wait during the isolation ward period?

• During periods with restricted visitation, such as for hematopoietic stem cell transplants, family waits at accommodation within walking distance of the hospital. This period, until the new stem cells take hold (engraftment), usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks.
• Since the number of visitors allowed, visiting hours, and permitted items vary by hospital, an interpreter explains in advance when and how visits can take place.
• For allogeneic transplants, staying close to the hospital and attending frequent outpatient visits for up to around 100 days after discharge is often the standard, for managing graft-versus-host disease and infection control.

FAQ — Can we get a room where family can stay together?

Yes. Residences are arranged so families can stay together, and if there are multiple accompanying members, the room configuration is decided at the estimate stage. The standard assumption is one accompanying family member per patient, but if more are needed, this is discussed in advance at the estimate stage.

FAQ — Can halal or vegetarian meals be arranged at the accommodation?

Yes. Halal meals can be arranged through a nearby restaurant connection, meal delivery, or direct cooking at the accommodation, whichever suits the situation, and vegetarian requirements (including whether eggs or dairy are included), kosher, pork or beef exclusion, and adjusted meal timing during Ramadan can all be accommodated if communicated in advance. During hospitalization, hospital meals are provided, and religious or allergy requirements are registered at admission.

FAQ — How is transport arranged from the airport to the accommodation, and from the accommodation to the hospital?

After arriving at Incheon International Airport, transport to the accommodation is by vehicle, and during the treatment period, accommodation within walking distance of the hospital is prioritized, though vehicles are used on days when the distance is greater or the patient's condition is not good. For VIP, a dedicated vehicle is on standby at all times. If a wheelchair is needed, an appropriately equipped vehicle is arranged separately, and a medical interpreter (English, Chinese, Russian as standard) accompanies consultations, tests, and consent explanations.

Sources and Notes

• This article was written based on notes covering stay and accommodation, hematologic cancers, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, medical visas, and insurance and documentation (sources: Medical Korea, Ministry of Health and Welfare, HiKorea, National Cancer Registration Statistics, NCCN Guidelines for Patients).
• This content is intended for general medical information purposes, and diagnosis and treatment methods and outcomes may vary depending on individual conditions. Accurate diagnosis and treatment should always be determined through consultation with medical staff.