Immigration Documents
Definition
A medical certificate or health check result is a doctor-issued document confirming the applicant is free from certain communicable diseases. It is required for some Korean visa categories, particularly long-term work visas and (non-professional employment) applicants.
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.
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Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Reviewed March 2026