What Is Medical Certificate / Health Check (건강진단서)?

Korea requires a health certificate for certain visa applicants as a public health measure. The specific tests required depend on your visa category. (EPS) workers require a government-designated medical examination covering HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and illegal drug use. (English teaching) applicants may be required to submit a health check from a Korean hospital within 30–90 days of arrival or before ARC issuance. Countries with elevated TB prevalence (including parts of Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Africa) require TB screening (X-ray and sputum test). The examination must typically be conducted at a designated medical institution — not all clinics are approved. Results must be submitted to immigration as part of the ARC or visa application.

Failing to submit a health certificate when required, or submitting results from a non-approved facility, will delay or halt your ARC registration. The TB screening requirement for nationals of certain countries is a strict rule enforced at the ARC registration stage, not just the visa application stage — meaning you may have already entered Korea and then face this requirement. An immigration consultant can tell you which tests apply to your specific nationality and visa category.