Before visiting a Korean dermatology clinic, check your entry requirements, bring your passport and a list of your medications, and plan treatments early in your trip. Tourists are not covered by Korean national health insurance, many cosmetic procedures include 10% VAT, and the VAT refund for foreign patients on cosmetic procedures ended on December 31, 2025.
1. Entry and Trip Planning
- Entry rules: check whether you need a visa or a K-ETA on the official Korea Visa Portal or K-ETA website before you book flights.
- Timing: schedule your consultation in the first days of your stay. Some treatments cause redness, swelling or bruising for several days.
- Language: confirm before booking whether the doctor consults in English or the clinic provides an interpreter.
Our English-speaking dermatologist page explains how consultations work in English.
2. What to Bring
| Item | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Passport | Clinics register foreign patients with an identity document |
| Medication and allergy list | The doctor needs it to choose safe treatments and medication |
| Records of recent treatments | Previous fillers, lasers or peels affect treatment choice and timing |
| Credit card | Clinics in Seoul accept international credit cards |
| Sunscreen and a hat | Sun protection is part of aftercare for most lasers and peels |
3. Health Information to Share
Tell the doctor about the following before any treatment. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own; ask the doctor first.
- Oral isotretinoin or topical retinoids
- Blood thinners or supplements that affect bleeding
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- A history of cold sores, keloid scars or pigmentation after injury
- Recent sunburn or tanning
4. Prices, Payment and Taxes
- Insurance: short-term visitors are not covered by Korea's National Health Insurance and pay the full price.
- Price information: under the Medical Service Act, clinics must inform patients of prices for non-covered services, such as cosmetic treatments.
- VAT: many cosmetic skin procedures are subject to 10% VAT. Ask whether the quoted price includes VAT.
- Tax refunds: the VAT refund for foreign patients on cosmetic procedures ended on December 31, 2025, so cosmetic skin treatments currently do not qualify for a tourist tax refund. If you have any questions about payment or taxes, ask the clinic before you pay.
- Receipts: ask for a receipt and an itemized statement if you plan to claim costs from your own insurer.
5. Consent, Records and Prescriptions
- Consent: read the consent form before treatment and ask for an English explanation of risks and aftercare.
- Medical records: you can request copies of your own records. Ask before you leave Korea.
- Prescriptions: Korea separates prescribing and dispensing. You receive a prescription at the clinic and buy medication at a pharmacy.
See our clinic to learn what a visit looks like from arrival to aftercare.
6. If Something Goes Wrong
- Contact the clinic and send clear photos of the problem.
- Follow the doctor's instructions and return for a check if you are still in Korea.
- If you cannot resolve a dispute with the clinic, contact the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency, which accepts cases from foreign patients.
FAQ
Do I need my passport at a Korean dermatology clinic?
Yes. Bring your passport. Clinics register foreign patients with an identity document before the consultation.
Will Korean health insurance pay for my treatment as a tourist?
No. Short-term visitors are not covered by Korea's National Health Insurance, so you pay the full price. Check whether your own travel or health insurance covers medical care abroad; many policies exclude elective cosmetic treatment.
Can I get a copy of my medical records in Korea?
Yes. Under the Medical Service Act, patients can request copies of their own medical records. Ask the clinic before you leave Korea, because requesting records later from abroad takes longer.
Can I buy prescribed skin medication at the clinic?
No. Korea separates prescribing and dispensing. The clinic gives you a prescription, and you buy the medication at a pharmacy.
What should I do if I have a problem after treatment?
Contact the clinic first and describe the problem with photos. If you cannot resolve a dispute, the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency accepts cases from foreign patients.
APGUJEONG · GANGNAM · SEOUL
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- Medical Service Act of Korea (의료법) — price disclosure and medical record access.
- Value-Added Tax Act of Korea (부가가치세법) — VAT on cosmetic medical services.
- National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단) — health insurance rules for foreign nationals.
- Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency (한국의료분쟁조정중재원) — medical dispute mediation.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Results and suitability vary by individual.
