We work hard to keep this guide accurate. If you spot outdated info, email updates to contact@desinri.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Short Description: Complete guide to South Korea\u2019s G-1-10 Treatment and Recuperation Visa for medical treatment, eligibility, documents, extensions, dependents, fees, and rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last Verified On: 2026-04-07<\/p>\n\n\n\n
| Item<\/th>\n | Details<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country<\/td>\n | South Korea<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Visa name<\/td>\n | Treatment and Recuperation Visa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Visa short name<\/td>\n | G-1-10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Category<\/td>\n | Other \/ Miscellaneous stay status for humanitarian-medical stay<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Main purpose<\/td>\n | Stay in South Korea for medical treatment and recuperation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Typical applicant<\/td>\n | A foreign national receiving treatment in Korea, sometimes with a caregiver\/guardian in related status if approved<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Validity<\/td>\n | Varies by visa issuance and immigration decision<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stay duration<\/td>\n | Varies; commonly granted according to treatment need and immigration discretion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entries allowed<\/td>\n | Varies by visa sticker\/issuance and re-entry status<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extension possible?<\/td>\n | Yes, often possible if ongoing treatment is proven and immigration approves<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Work allowed?<\/td>\n | Generally no<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Study allowed?<\/td>\n | Limited; this is not a study visa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family allowed?<\/td>\n | Sometimes possible in related accompanying circumstances, but not as a broad family migration route<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PR path?<\/td>\n | No direct PR path<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Citizenship path?<\/td>\n | Indirect at best; this visa is not designed as a residence-to-citizenship route<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n South Korea\u2019s G-1-10<\/strong> status is a medical stay category<\/strong> used by foreigners who need to remain in Korea for treatment and recuperation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In plain English, it is for someone whose main reason for being in South Korea is to receive medical care<\/strong>, recover from illness, surgery, or injury, and remain lawfully in the country for that purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It exists because not every foreign patient fits neatly into a tourist visa or long-term resident visa category. Korea\u2019s immigration system therefore includes the G-1 series<\/strong>, which covers several \u201cother\u201d statuses for exceptional, humanitarian, or special-purpose stays. G-1-10<\/strong> is the medical-treatment branch of that broader G-1 category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korea uses both:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In practice, people often call G-1-10 a \u201cvisa,\u201d but legally it is also a stay status\/classification<\/strong> used by Korean immigration authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common official naming includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because Korean immigration rules and embassy pages do not always present all subcategories in a single consumer-friendly way, applicants sometimes see this category referenced in visa\/stay tables rather than in a standalone public guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can function as a consular visa route<\/strong> and\/or a status of stay<\/strong> managed by Korean immigration, depending on where and how the applicant applies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warning:<\/strong> Exact handling can vary by embassy, nationality, and whether the person is applying abroad or from inside Korea. Always verify with the relevant Korean embassy\/consulate or the Korea Immigration Service before applying.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This is the core target group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be a good fit if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some situations, a guardian or caregiver<\/strong> may be able to accompany a patient, especially where the patient is a minor, elderly, disabled, or medically dependent. However, this is not always automatic under the same status and may depend on embassy or immigration discretion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a person entered on a different lawful basis and then requires significant medical treatment, immigration may in some cases permit a change or extension<\/strong> into a medical-related G-1 stay if supported by a hospital and medical records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your purpose is sightseeing, use the appropriate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are coming for meetings, market research, or negotiations, a medical visa is the wrong class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not use G-1-10 to look for work or to work while undergoing treatment. Consider the correct work or job-seeking route instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your main purpose is education, use the appropriate student visa, not G-1-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not a business setup or self-employment route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G-1-10 is not a normal family migration visa. If your primary purpose is to join a spouse or parent, another status is likely more appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use a transit or regular entry route if you are only passing through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use diplomatic\/official channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The core permitted purpose is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can include, depending on the facts and evidence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not the main intended purpose. Limited incidental tourism during a lawful stay may occur in real life, but your principal reason<\/strong> for stay must remain medical treatment\/recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally not allowed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no clear public rule stating that G-1-10 is a remote-work visa. As a compliance matter, you should assume work is not permitted unless immigration explicitly authorizes it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not the purpose of this visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not designed for full-time or formal study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potentially risky if it resembles work or organized service. Not the intended use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not allowed under the medical category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not for transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marriage itself is not the purpose of this visa. If you intend to marry and settle, another visa may be more appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not permitted as the primary purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not a general settlement visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not applicable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korea is a major destination for elective treatment, including cosmetic medicine. In practice, some applicants may seek entry for medical procedures. However, whether G-1-10<\/strong> is the right route for purely elective short procedures may vary. Some people may instead enter on a short-stay basis if nationality and treatment length allow. Check with the relevant embassy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your treatment is brief and your nationality allows visa-free entry, immigration may not always require a G-1-10 in advance. But if treatment is longer, repeated, or involves recovery time, G-1-10 may be the correct and safer route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> If your treatment schedule is expected to exceed your normal visitor permission, ask the Korean hospital and the nearest Korean embassy which route they recommend before travel.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Applicants may encounter references to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The G-1 framework has existed for years, but English wording on public websites may vary. Some official pages use tables rather than explanatory visa guides. The code G-1-10<\/strong> remains the key identifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warning:<\/strong> Korean embassies do not always describe medical travel in exactly the same way online. Some applicants may see short-term medical visit guidance while others see G-1 stay-status guidance. Verify the exact route for your nationality and treatment duration.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Because official public guidance on G-1-10 is often fragmented, the safest approach is to distinguish between core official eligibility principles<\/strong> and items that are commonly requested in practice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You generally need to show:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nationality matters for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no single public nationality list specific to G-1-10<\/strong> that overrides normal Korean visa rules. Check the embassy responsible for your country of residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need a valid passport. Korean missions often require that it remain valid for the application and travel period, and many carriers and consulates prefer at least 6 months validity<\/strong>, though exact passport-validity rules can vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No universal age limit is publicly stated for G-1-10. Minors can be patients, but extra consent and guardian documents are usually needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally not core eligibility criteria<\/strong> for this visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Korean hospital\/medical institution<\/strong> is often the key practical supporter. A private family sponsor may also be relevant in some cases, but hospital documentation is usually central.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not applicable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not applicable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Needed only if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not a school admission letter, but you may need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may need to prove enough funds to cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exact minimum amounts are not clearly published in one universal G-1-10 rule page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Often relevant, especially if not staying in the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May be requested, especially if treatment duration is finite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This visa is for treatment, so health issues are inherent to the category. But public health, quarantine, or communicable disease rules can still matter depending on current policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A serious criminal or security issue can cause refusal. A police certificate is not always publicly listed as a universal requirement for every G-1-10 case, but it may be requested in some contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not always clearly listed as mandatory on every public G-1-10 page, but medical insurance or proof of payment capacity can be important. The hospital\u2019s payment arrangement may matter more than standard travel insurance in some cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May be required depending on application channel and nationality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must show your true purpose is medical treatment\/recuperation<\/strong>. If immigration suspects the real purpose is work, settlement, or avoiding other visa rules, refusal risk rises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Embassies often want proof that you are lawfully resident in the country from which you are applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If staying in Korea long enough, you may need to register with immigration and obtain a residence card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not applicable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Very important. Korean embassies may ask for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not clearly published in a universal way for this category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may not qualify, or may be refused, if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example: claiming cancer treatment but providing only a vague spa booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you cannot cover treatment, living costs, and return travel, the case looks weak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Especially if treatment is short but your documents suggest open-ended stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Missing translations, unsigned forms, or no hospital letter are common problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using medical documents while applying in a general tourist category, or vice versa, can create confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A history of overstaying in Korea or elsewhere can hurt credibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hospital letters should be genuine, complete, and contactable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Documents that are partially translated or inconsistent across names\/dates can cause delays or refusal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overexplaining, contradicting documents, or casually admitting plans to work can damage the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common Mistake:<\/strong> Applicants sometimes focus only on proving illness and forget to prove practical ability to stay lawfully<\/strong>\u2014funds, accommodation, identity, and return planning still matter.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In suitable cases, a caregiver or guardian may be recognized under related arrangements, particularly for vulnerable patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stay period can be aligned to medical need rather than pure sightseeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your treatment continues, there may be a legal basis to seek extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No direct benefit. This is mainly a temporary humanitarian-medical status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G-1-10 is generally not a work visa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not intended for degree study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your lawful stay is tied to medical treatment\/recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your stay reaches registration thresholds, you may have to register your residence and keep address details updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Re-entry may depend on your entry type and current status. Do not assume free travel in and out without checking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your case is based heavily on one hospital or one treatment plan, major changes may require explanation to immigration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This visa does not automatically convert into settlement or family status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even where general travel insurance is not the headline requirement, inability to pay medical or living costs can create compliance problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The visa validity period<\/strong> and the period of stay<\/strong> are not the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These vary by issuance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay length is typically tied to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no single universally published stay length for all G-1-10 cases on one public page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This depends on issuance terms and, once in Korea, re-entry rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually on entry into Korea<\/strong>, not on visa issuance date, for the period of stay. But the visa itself has an \u201center by\u201d validity period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not assume there is a grace period after your stay expires. Overstay is a violation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Possible consequences include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apply for extension before<\/strong> your current stay expires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korea does not generally use the same \u201cbridging visa\u201d terminology as some other countries. If an extension application is filed properly before expiry, immigration handling may preserve lawful processing status, but applicants should verify current practice with immigration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because embassy and immigration requirements vary, use this as a master checklist<\/strong>, then cross-check with your embassy and Korean immigration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually not central, but may help show background and ties:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common mistake: submitting employment evidence that conflicts with claim of long medical incapacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually not applicable unless helpful for identity or ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a guardian\/caregiver is involved:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This often includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some missions may ask for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rules vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is especially common for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warning:<\/strong> Do not assume English-only documents are always accepted in every post. Check the embassy and immigration office handling your case.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Photo size and standards vary slightly by mission. Use the exact specifications on the relevant Korean embassy\/consulate application page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No single publicly prominent official page clearly states a universal G-1-10 minimum fund amount applicable to all nationalities and all embassies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should usually show enough money for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential sponsors may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the sponsor must be credible and documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No universal public G-1-10 seasoning rule is published, but 3\u20136 months of bank statements<\/strong> is commonly stronger than a last-minute balance screenshot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A stronger financial file usually has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean visa fees often depend on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because fees can change and vary by mission, applicants should check the latest official fee page<\/strong> of the relevant embassy\/consulate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n |