Do I need a special medical visa to travel to Korea for work?

[sandyshores]

Maybe I am looking in the wrong places but I can't seem to find an answer on this. I asked on another forum and reddit but no one replied. I am hoping to get some answers here. I watched a video that mentioned a medical visa but I am not sure if that is something I need or not. I am in the United States FIY. Not sure if the surgery matters or not.

EDIT: for clarification, "for work" means plastic surgery. I don't want to be misunderstood given the standard nature of visas. 

[KimsHere]

This is actually a good question. As far as I know, you do not need one. I believe the standard travel laws (through a passport) allow for up to a 90 day stay. So You could realistically go there for 3 months and get tons of work done and have time for it. I don't think any western nation requires a special visa.

[honeybear0023]

No you just need a standard passport unless you plan on staying there for an extended time. I can't remember what it is called but a set of nations allows for easy travel without visas via passports and the US and South Korea are two of those locations. 

[beachybabe]

On 4/18/2026 at 9:15 AM, sandyshores said:

EDIT: for clarification, "for work" means plastic surgery. I don't want to be misunderstood given the standard nature of visas. 

I actually read this as work like as in a job 

But yeah, as mentioned you do not need anything special coming from the US. South Korea has lean travel laws for Americans. 

[LupinBB81]

For plastic surgery in South Korea - you will need a valid passport, appropriate visa or K-ETA status (if applicable), and a confirmed appointment. As mentioned, most western tourists can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. 

[sandyshores]

Ok! I am glad I asked as I was not sure. I guess I am just not someone that travels enough to know these things. I have only been out of the country 2 other times and it wasn't very far. This would be the furthest I have ever traveled!