Tuberculosis (TB) Certificate Requirements for Korea Visa — 35 High-Risk Countries & When It Applies
Korea requires a tuberculosis (TB) health certificate from nationals of 35 designated high-risk countries when applying for certain visas, registering for an Alien Registration Card, or changing visa status. If your nationality is on the list, providing a valid TB certificate is a mandatory requirement — not optional. This guide explains exactly when the requirement applies, who is exempt, and what the certificate must contain.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 2026
Review & source basis
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
July 14, 2026
Source references
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
The 35 high-risk countries (결핵 고위험 국가)
Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare designates countries with a TB incidence rate above a threshold as 'high-risk' for TB certificate requirements. The current list of 35 countries is subject to revision — always confirm the current list at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the nearest Korean embassy before applying.
Current designated high-risk countries (as of 2026 — verify for current year): Nepal, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, DRC (Congo), Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal, Haiti, Papua New Guinea
Note: The list is revised annually by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Some countries are added or removed based on current epidemiological data. Confirm the current list before applying.
When is the TB certificate required?
The TB certificate is required at these specific immigration checkpoints:
1. Visa application (overseas): When applying for a long-stay visa (D-series, E-series, F-series, H-series) at a Korean embassy or consulate, nationals of the 35 high-risk countries must submit a TB certificate with their visa application.
2. Alien Registration Card (ARC) registration: When registering for an ARC at the immigration office within 90 days of arrival — even if a TB certificate was already submitted for the visa, some status types require re-submission or an updated certificate at ARC registration.
3. Visa status change: When changing from a short-stay status (C-3, tourist entry) to a long-stay status at the immigration office.
4. Visa renewal (in some cases): For renewals of long-stay visas where the certificate validity has expired, a new TB certificate may be required.
Short-stay visitors (C-3 / tourist / business): Generally NOT required to submit a TB certificate for short-stay visas, though the embassy may request it in specific cases.
Exemptions from the TB requirement
The following individuals are exempt from the TB certificate requirement even if their nationality is on the 35-country list:
• Children under 6 years old — no TB certificate required at any stage • Pregnant women — exempted due to radiation exposure risk from chest X-ray • A-1, A-2, A-3 holders (diplomats and government officials) — exempt from TB testing • Individuals with a medical contraindication to chest X-ray — must provide a doctor's letter explaining the contraindication; immigration will determine the alternative
Note: Exempted individuals may be required to undergo TB screening after arrival in Korea in some circumstances.
Certificate requirements and validity
What the TB certificate must show: • Your full name (as on passport) • Date of birth • Passport number • Date of chest X-ray • Radiologist's or physician's interpretation of the chest X-ray (confirming no active TB lesions) • Issuing hospital or clinic letterhead and physician stamp • For X-ray with suspicious findings: sputum test result (AFB smear and culture) confirming no active pulmonary TB
Validity period: • The TB certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of the chest X-ray • If your visa application processing takes longer than 3 months, you may need to get a new chest X-ray
Where to get the test: • Designated health facilities authorized by the Korean embassy/consulate in your country — some embassies require testing at specific hospitals • Check the Korean embassy website in your country for the list of designated facilities • General hospitals and clinics in most countries offer chest X-ray services; confirm they will issue an English (or Korean) certificate in the required format
Submission method: The TB certificate is typically submitted in a sealed envelope at the Korean embassy and/or at the immigration office. Do not open the sealed envelope provided by the medical facility.
Tips from 행정사s
Book your TB test at least 1–2 weeks before your planned visa application date — test result processing can take several days, and some facilities are busy.
Check the Korean embassy's website for their specific designated hospital list. Some embassies require testing at specific facilities and will not accept certificates from non-designated hospitals.
Pregnant women: bring a Korean-translated pregnancy certificate or doctor's letter to the embassy explaining your exemption from the X-ray requirement.
If your chest X-ray shows a suspicious finding, the clinic will order a sputum test (AFB smear). This adds 6–8 weeks for culture results — plan accordingly.
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Visa Process
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
Visa Process
HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Process
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
Frequently asked questions
I'm from a high-risk country but I live in a third country (e.g. I'm Vietnamese but live in Germany). Do I need a TB certificate?
The TB requirement is based on nationality, not country of residence. If your nationality is on the 35-country list, you need a TB certificate regardless of where you currently live. You can get the test in your country of current residence if the hospital meets the format requirements — check with the Korean embassy in your country of residence.
My TB certificate was issued 2 months ago for a previous visa application that was denied. Can I reuse it?
If the certificate is less than 3 months old from the chest X-ray date, it is still within the validity period and can be submitted for a new application. If more than 3 months have passed, you need a new chest X-ray.
What happens if I test positive for active TB?
If the chest X-ray or sputum test confirms active pulmonary TB, the Korean visa application will be denied until you complete TB treatment and are confirmed disease-free. Treatment typically takes 6 months. After completing treatment and receiving a 'cured' or 'treatment completed' certification from your doctor, you can reapply with updated test results.