Medical tourism guide
Everything foreign patients should know before visiting a Korean clinic.
To safely receive dermatology or plastic surgery treatment in Korea as a foreigner, choose a clinic that is government-registered to treat foreign patients, confirm the treating doctor is a board-certified specialist, get a written consultation and quote, and avoid unlicensed brokers. Eligible visitors can also claim a partial medical tax refund.
Why people travel to Korea for skin & cosmetic treatment
South Korea welcomed about 1.17 million foreign patients in 2024 — up 93.2% from 2023 and a record high (Ministry of Health and Welfare). The top nationalities were Japan, China, the United States, Taiwan and Thailand, with dermatology and plastic surgery driving much of the growth. Visitors from Taiwan alone rose +550.6% year-on-year. Korea is known for advanced equipment, experienced doctors and competitive pricing.
What “government-registered for foreign patients” means
Under Korean law, a clinic must register with the government (through KHIDI, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute) before it can legally attract and treat foreign patients. Registration requires at least one board-certified specialist per offered department and malpractice liability coverage. Important: registration confirms legal status — it is NOT a government quality certification or ranking. Every clinic on this site is a registered foreign-patient medical institution.
How to choose a clinic safely
Confirm the clinic is registered for foreign patients, check that your specific procedure is performed by a board-certified specialist, request a written consultation and itemized quote before paying, ask about after-care and possible side effects, and never pay commissions to an unlicensed “broker.” You contact clinics directly — there is no middleman on this site.
Tax refund for foreign patients
Eligible foreign visitors can reclaim part of the VAT on qualifying medical and cosmetic treatments at registered clinics. The refund is handled by the clinic together with a licensed refund operator. Use our tax-refund calculator to estimate how much you might get back.
Medical Tax Refund Calculator →What to prepare for your trip
Bring your passport (required for tax refund), allow recovery time before flights for surgical procedures, arrange a Korea eSIM or SIM for communication, and plan transport from the airport to clinic districts such as Gangnam, Apgujeong or Myeongdong. Many clinics offer English, Japanese or Chinese-speaking coordinators.