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.
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.*
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.
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.
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.
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.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 tuberculosis (tb) certificate requirements for korea visa — 35 high-risk countries & when it applies 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
전문가 찾기I'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.