C-3-3 Medical Tourism Visa Korea — Patient & Companion Rules, Premium Facilities & 2025 Updates

C-3-3 is a sub-category of the short-stay visitor (C-3) visa framework. You need C-3-3 if you:

• Are entering Korea primarily for medical treatment (not incidental healthcare during a trip) • Plan to receive treatment at a registered medical institution enrolled in the official medical tourism support system • Intend to stay up to 90 days (the standard C-3 short-stay maximum)

C-3-3 vs regular tourist visa: A regular C-3 or visa-exempt entry technically allows you to receive medical treatment, but if the primary purpose is treatment and the stay may be extended or requires coordinated support, using C-3-3 is the proper category. Immigration officials may require evidence of the medical purpose if asked at port of entry.

Extension: If treatment requires more than 90 days, a C-3-3 can be extended in-country at an immigration office upon presenting documentation from the treating hospital confirming ongoing treatment necessity.

Not all hospitals can sponsor a C-3-3 invitation. Under the Act on Support for Overseas Expansion of Korean Medicine and Attraction of International Patients (의료 해외진출 및 외국인환자 유치 지원에 관한 법률, commonly 의료해외진출법) — not the general Medical Act (의료법) — the medical institution or coordinator must register with the relevant city/provincial governor (시·도지사) as a foreign-patient-inviting medical institution or agency (외국인환자 유치 의료기관/유치업자). Registration is valid for 3 years and renewable, and is disqualified for anyone with a relevant unspent criminal record (imprisonment completed less than 2 years ago, or a fine confirmed less than 1 year ago). In practice this registration is administered through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), not the Korea Tourism Organization.

Qualifying facility tiers:

1. Premium medical tourism centers — large tertiary hospitals with dedicated international patient departments (examples: Samsung Medical Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital)
2. KHIDI-registered hospitals — mid-size hospitals and specialty clinics that have completed formal registration for international patient services
3. Registered medical tourism coordinators (유치업자) — tour operators and medical concierge agencies officially registered under 의료해외진출법 as foreign-patient-inviting agencies (의료관광 유치업자); those additionally designated "우수 유치기관" (excellence-designated, based on invitation/treatment volume and a low illegal-stay rate among invited patients) can invite patients with the financial-proof requirement waived, and can submit visa issuance confirmations online

For the visa application, the sponsoring facility or coordinator must issue an Invitation Letter for Medical Treatment (의료관광 초청장) on their official letterhead, confirming the patient's name, treatment details, scheduled dates, and estimated costs.

C-3-3 has always allowed the patient to bring a companion (동반자), but historically the definition was narrow. As of the December 2025 policy update, the eligible companion scope has been formally expanded.

Previous rule: Only a spouse or first-degree lineal relative (parents, children) could accompany a C-3-3 patient as a registered companion.

2025 expansion — now eligible as companion: • Spouse • Parents and parents-in-law • Children (including adult children) • Siblings (형제자매) — newly added • Grandparents — newly added • Designated caregiver — a non-family individual who is designated in writing by the patient as their personal caregiver for medical purposes (간병인 지정서 required)

Companion visa: Companions receive a separate C-3-3 visa tied to the patient's. The companion must: • Apply with a companion application form from the treating hospital • Show proof of relationship (family register, birth certificate, or notarized caregiver designation letter) • Demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover their own stay • Not engage in work during the stay

Both the patient and companion must demonstrate financial capacity to cover the entire expected stay in Korea. Immigration does not want medical tourists to become stranded or unable to pay for treatment.

Required financial documents:

1. Bank statement — showing funds sufficient to cover treatment costs + living expenses for the stay duration. A common guideline is:
   • Treatment cost estimate from the hospital (치료비 견적서)
   • Plus ₩100,000–₩150,000 per day of planned stay for living expenses
2. Credit card proof — evidence of high-limit credit card(s) is acceptable supplementation
3. Medical insurance documentation — if covered by an international health insurance policy, provide the policy document and a letter confirming Korea is covered and the treatment type is covered
4. Employer/sponsor guarantee letter — if the patient's employer or a medical fund is sponsoring the trip, an official guarantee letter with financial commitment is accepted

Prepare these in apostilled or officially translated form if they are in a language other than Korean or English.

Step 1 — Arrange treatment: Contact the Korean medical institution directly or through a registered medical tourism coordinator (유치업자). Confirm the facility is officially registered. Obtain a medical appointment confirmation and a treatment cost estimate.

Step 2 — Obtain invitation letter: Request an official Invitation Letter for Medical Treatment (의료관광 초청장) from the hospital or accredited coordinator. This must include: patient details, treatment type and dates, hospital letterhead and seal, and facility registration number.

Step 3 — Gather documents: • Valid passport (6+ months validity) • Visa application form (standard Korean visa form) • Passport photo • Invitation letter from the medical facility • Financial proof documents • For companions: proof of relationship + companion application from the hospital • TB certificate (if from a high-risk country)

Step 4 — Apply at Korean embassy/consulate: Submit the application at the Korean diplomatic mission in your country. Processing typically takes 5–10 business days for straightforward cases.

Step 5 — Entry and in-country registration: Upon entry, declare the medical purpose at immigration if asked. If your stay exceeds 90 days and you need an extension, visit the nearest immigration office before the initial stay expires.