South Korea Extends Validity of Ministry of Justice-Designated Medical Institution List for Health Examinations

Current rules

South Korea has published a new 31 August 2026 version of the Ministry of Justice-designated medical institution list for health examinations. The updated list identifies the medical institutions that are designated by the Ministry of Justice for the relevant examinations. The official notice also establishes two important practical instructions: Medical institutions do not necessarily offer the same examination items, so applicants should contact the institution in advance to confirm that it can issue the documents they require. Documents issued by the medical institution must be submitted to the immigration office in sealed condition. The update therefore changes the current reference list of designated providers, rather than establishing a new immigration health requirement.

Overview

South Korea's Hi Korea immigration portal has published an updated list of medical institutions designated by the Ministry of Justice to conduct health examinations for immigration-related purposes, with the new list dated 31 August 2026. The update concerns the designated medical institutions available for the relevant health examinations. It does not, based on the official notice, introduce a new visa requirement or change the general rules determining who must undergo a health examination. The Ministry of Justice also reminds applicants that the examinations and services available differ between medical institutions. Applicants should therefore contact the institution before visiting to confirm that it can provide the specific examination and documents they need. Documents issued by the medical institution must be submitted to the immigration office in sealed condition.

What changed in the latest version

This update is crucial for foreign nationals in the Republic of Korea who are preparing or submitting immigration applications that mandate a health examination. Failing to use a currently designated medical institution or adhering to the submission requirements could lead to delays or rejections of their applications. Applicants must ensure they refer to the latest list of institutions to guarantee their medical examination is accepted by the immigration authorities. Furthermore, the requirement to contact institutions beforehand regarding specific examination items and document issuance places responsibility on the applicant to verify service availability, potentially preventing wasted visits or incorrect documentation. The strict instruction for sealed envelope submission ensures the integrity and confidentiality of medical results, which, if not followed, could render the submission invalid.

Explained simply

Think of the Ministry of Justice's medical institution list like a list of approved testing centres. If your immigration process requires a medical examination, you cannot simply assume that any hospital or clinic will be accepted. South Korea has updated the list of places you can use for these examinations. But the approved places do not all offer exactly the same examinations. So before going, you need to call the medical institution and make sure it can provide the examination and documents you need. And once the medical institution gives you the required documents, you need to keep them sealed when submitting them to immigration.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v1Effective 31 Aug 2026PublishedMedium impact
   South Korea Updates Ministry of Justice-Designated Medical Institution List for Health Examinations

   South Korea's Hi Korea immigration portal has published an updated list of medical institutions designated by the Ministry of Justice to conduct health examinations for immigration-related purposes, with the new list dated 31 August 2026. The update concerns the designated medical institutions available for the relevant health examinations. It does not, based on the official notice, introduce a new visa requirement or change the general rules determining who must undergo a health examination. The Ministry of Justice also reminds applicants that the examinations and services available differ between medical institutions. Applicants should therefore contact the institution before visiting to confirm that it can provide the specific examination and documents they need. Documents issued by the medical institution must be submitted to the immigration office in sealed condition.