Korea M-visa for medical tourism — visitor application guide

The M-visa (medical-tourism visa) is the formal visa category for non-Koreans entering Korea for medical treatment. It is administered by the Ministry of Justice and integrated with the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) foreign-patient-attraction framework. For most international visitors travelling to Korea for short aesthetic or regenerative treatment, an M-visa is not actually required — the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) or visa-exempt entry that already covers your nationality will cover the trip. The M-visa becomes relevant for longer treatment stays, multi-trip patient companions, or visitors from countries whose passport requires a visa for any Korean entry. This page covers what the M-visa is, when you need one, and how to apply.

When you actually need an M-visa

Most international visitors planning a four-to-fourteen-day Korea medical-tourism trip do not need an M-visa. K-ETA covers visa-exempt nationalities (US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and many others) for stays up to 90 days. For these passports, K-ETA registration online (KRW 10,000, two-day processing) plus a standard tourist entry is sufficient to enter and treat. The M-visa becomes relevant in three scenarios. First, your passport requires a visa for any Korean entry (e.g. mainland Chinese passports under most circumstances, several South Asian and Middle Eastern passports). Second, your treatment requires a stay longer than 90 days. Third, you are bringing a patient companion who will accompany you for the duration of treatment and may benefit from the M-visa's longer-stay framework.

M-visa eligibility and the KHIDI-facilitator support letter

M-visa applications require, alongside the standard documentation, an invitation letter from a registered Korean medical institution and ideally a support letter from a KHIDI-registered medical-tourism facilitator. The facilitator support letter — issued by HEIM GLOBAL (registration A-2026-04-02-06873) for visitors we work with, or by another KHIDI-registered facilitator — confirms the visitor's intended treatment, the registered Korean institution, the financial arrangements, and the trip duration. Korean consulates outside Korea use these documents to assess the M-visa application. The medical institution's invitation letter is typically issued by the foreign-patient-attraction-registered clinic itself; not all clinics carry this registration, which is a meaningful filter for serious medical-tourism visitors. The [editorial policy](/editorial-policy/) covers our position on KHIDI registration as an editorial filter.

Application process

Application is through your local Korean embassy or consulate. Standard documents: completed application form, passport with at least six months validity, recent photograph, proof of financial means (bank statements, employment letter), travel itinerary, hotel reservation, return-flight ticket, the medical institution's invitation letter, and the KHIDI-facilitator support letter. Some consulates require additional documents (e.g. police background check, family proof) depending on the visitor's home country. Processing time varies by consulate — typically two to three weeks, occasionally faster for visitors with full documentation. Single-entry M-visas allow up to 90 days; multi-entry M-visas (M-1) allow longer-stay arrangements for chronic-care visitors and are processed differently. For most aesthetic and regenerative medical-tourism trips, single-entry is sufficient.

K-ETA, visa-exempt entry, and the simpler path

If your passport is on the visa-exempt list, the simpler path is K-ETA registration plus a standard tourist entry. K-ETA is registered online at the official K-ETA portal — your name, passport details, planned trip, and a small fee (KRW 10,000, approximately USD 7.50). Approval is typically within two days; some applicants are approved within hours. The K-ETA is valid for two years and multiple entries. Once at the airport, you present your passport and the K-ETA approval; immigration processes you as a standard short-stay visitor. The medical-tourism activity itself is conducted under the standard tourist entry — there is no requirement, for visitors on visa-exempt passports, to declare medical purpose at immigration. If you are planning a stay longer than 90 days or require ongoing treatment with companion stay, the M-visa is the better path.

KAMI airport service and post-arrival logistics

KAMI (Korea Airport Medical Service Center) provides centralised airport-side coordination for medical-tourism visitors at Incheon International Airport — interpreter coordination, clinic referral, emergency support, and short-term observation facilities. For visitors entering on the M-visa, KAMI can simplify post-immigration logistics; for visitors entering on visa-exempt or K-ETA, KAMI is available but not required. Most medical-tourism visitors are coordinated through their treating clinic or through a registered facilitator (HEIM GLOBAL or equivalent) who handles airport pickup, hotel transfer, and clinic introduction. See [the Incheon city guide](/cities/incheon/) for KAMI's role in airport-side coordination and [the getting-around guide](/getting-around/) for transit logistics.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an M-visa for a four-day Korea aesthetic trip?

Almost certainly not, if your passport is on the visa-exempt list (US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, NZ, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and many others). K-ETA registration plus standard tourist entry covers the trip. The M-visa is for visitors whose passport requires a visa for any Korean entry, or for stays longer than 90 days.

What is K-ETA and how do I get it?

K-ETA is the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization — an online pre-registration for visa-exempt visitors. Apply at the official K-ETA portal with your passport details, planned trip, and a KRW 10,000 fee. Approval is typically within two days. The K-ETA is valid for two years and multiple entries. It does not replace your passport at immigration; it accompanies it.

How long does an M-visa application take?

Two to three weeks at most consulates, sometimes faster for visitors with full documentation. Plan ahead; do not assume same-week processing. Some consulates require an in-person interview for the M-visa, which adds scheduling friction.

Can my partner travel with me on the M-visa framework?

Yes. The M-visa framework includes provisions for patient companion (가족 동반) status, which allows a family member or designated companion to accompany the patient for the duration of treatment. The companion's visa is separate but is processed alongside the patient's application; documentation includes proof of relationship and the same financial-means evidence.

Where do I get the KHIDI-facilitator support letter?

From a KHIDI-registered medical-tourism facilitator. HEIM GLOBAL (registration A-2026-04-02-06873) issues support letters for visitors we work with; other registered facilitators do the same. The facilitator handles the documentation interface with the treating clinic and with the visitor's local Korean consulate.

What if my visa application is rejected?

Most rejections are documentation issues (incomplete forms, insufficient financial proof, inadequate institution invitation). Resubmit with the corrected documentation. For visitors from countries with elevated rejection rates, working through a KHIDI-registered facilitator from the start typically reduces friction.