Tuberculosis Testing and Certification Requirements for Foreign Nationals in South Korea

When applying for a visa, registering as a foreign resident, or requesting a change in visa status (residency qualifications) in South Korea, foreign nationals must undergo a tuberculosis test and submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate.

While each visa category’s specific requirements are listed in this guide, a comprehensive summary has been released by the Immigration Office, which we have compiled for your convenience.

Table of Contents

1. Individuals Required to Submit a Tuberculosis Diagnosis Certificate After Testing

O When Applying for a Visa

Foreign nationals applying for a visa to stay in South Korea for more than 90 days are required to submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate. (For those eligible for electronic visas, this certificate must be submitted upon registration as a foreign resident after entering South Korea.)
Note: This refers to Article 10-2, Clause 1, Subsection 2 of the Immigration Control Act, indicating long-term residency qualifications. Even if the intended stay is 90 days or less, a tuberculosis certificate is required when applying for a long-term residency visa.
Individuals on short-term residency who qualify as seasonal workers (C4-1 to C4-4) or foreign tuberculosis patients hosting family members or caregivers during their stay in South Korea are also required to provide a certificate.
Those who previously submitted a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate and wish to obtain a new long-term residency visa after completely exiting the country are exempt.

O When Registering as a Foreign Resident

If a foreign national who is required to submit a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate enters South Korea on an electronic visa.
Nationals from high-risk tuberculosis countries possessing a long-term multiple-entry visa, who enter South Korea more than six months after the visa issuance date.

O When Applying for Residence Permission

Nationals from high-risk tuberculosis countries who entered on a short-term visa and are applying for a change to a long-term residency visa.
High-risk nationals already residing under long-term visa status who have never submitted a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate following the guidelines enacted from March 2, 2016.
Registered foreign nationals from high-risk tuberculosis countries applying for an extension of stay and who have resided in their respective high-risk countries for over six months within a continuous one-year period based on the application date.
If the destination upon departing South Korea is not a high-risk tuberculosis country, submission of a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate is not required.

(However, if the departure location cannot be confirmed, submission of a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate is typically required. An exemption may be possible if the individual can demonstrate they have not visited high-risk tuberculosis countries.)

O Exemptions from the Requirement to Submit a Tuberculosis Diagnosis Certificate After Testing

Holders of diplomatic (A-1), official (A-2), or agreement (A-3) visas.
Children under six years of age (a certificate must be submitted upon applying for the first residency permit after turning six) and pregnant women.
Individuals who are elderly or incapacitated due to illness.

Note

For a list of countries considered high-risk for tuberculosis and where to obtain a tuberculosis diagnosis certificate, please visit here.

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