Health checkups for visitors

A Guide to Health Checkups in Korea for Foreign Visitors

Typical tests, a basic checkup within one day, preparation that starts days ahead, the documents to bring, and how to use your results after you return home.

1. Tests

Blood, imaging, endoscopy — within one day

2. Days before

Medication and diet adjustments

3. Documents

Passport, medications, history, past results

4. After you return

Keeping results, consulting your doctor

Section 1

Typical Tests and How Long a Checkup Takes

A checkup covering the basic items can be done within one day.

Test	What it covers	Type
Body measurements & blood pressure	Height, weight and other body measurements plus blood pressure are checked.	Basic
Blood tests	Basic blood values such as blood sugar, liver function and kidney function are checked.	Basic
Urine test	Kidney and urinary tract status is checked through urine.	Basic
Chest X-ray	The lungs and the outline of the heart are checked.	Basic
ECG (electrocardiogram)	The electrical activity of the heartbeat is checked.	Basic
Abdominal ultrasound	The liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys and more are checked by imaging.	Basic
Upper endoscopy (gastroscopy)	The esophagus, stomach and duodenum are examined with a scope. A tissue biopsy may be needed.	Basic / Optional
Colonoscopy	The large intestine is examined with a scope. Diet adjustment and a bowel-prep solution are needed in the days before.	Add-on / Optional
Mammogram & Pap smear	Some facilities include these for women.	Basic (women) / Optional
CT and other detailed tests	Detailed imaging by body area. If contrast dye is used, medication may need to be adjusted.	Add-on / Optional

Section 2

Preparation by Day

Preparation starts days before the checkup, not only on the day. It is organized by timing below.

Before the checkup: confirm first

Some medications may need adjusting depending on the test, so check these first

List all medications and supplements you take, including generic (ingredient) names in English
Check whether any contain aspirin (including combination pills such as cholesterol medication)
If you take aspirin, antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants, ask the hospital or doctor who prescribed them whether to stop (do not stop on your own)
If you take aspirin for prevention, ask the checkup facility whether and when to stop
Ask the facility how to handle diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol medication on the day
Confirm your chosen tests (endoscopy, CT, etc.) with the facility and get the preparation instructions

A few days before

The facility’s instructions take priority

For anticoagulants and similar drugs, be sure to ask both the hospital that prescribed them and the checkup facility and adjust your dosing accordingly
If you are having a colonoscopy, confirm when the diet restrictions start and avoid whole grains, seaweed, nuts and fruit with seeds
If you are having a contrast-dye CT and take metformin-type diabetes medication, confirm whether and for how long to stop it with the prescribing hospital and the checkup facility
Women: check whether your period overlaps with the checkup date (some tests may be limited — confirm with the facility)

The day before

Fasting times and water rules differ between facilities

Keep dinner light and follow the facility’s instructions on when to start fasting and whether water is allowed
Colonoscopy: eat only white porridge or thin rice soup the day before, and take the prescribed bowel-prep solution in split doses as instructed
If a stool sample container is required, confirm how to collect it the day before or the morning of
If you will have sedated endoscopy, confirm the rule about removing nail polish and gel nails
Check your route to the facility and your arrival time

The day of the checkup

Almost nothing new starts on the day itself

For gastroscopy and similar tests, confirm whether even water is not allowed and follow it
Some facilities say blood pressure medication can be taken that day — take it as the facility instructs
Check whether you should skip insulin that day
Tell staff before the tests if you may be pregnant, are breastfeeding, or have any special medical history
After sedated endoscopy you may need someone to accompany you and time to rest, so keep your schedule free
Confirm how you will receive your results (paper, electronic file, email) and your contact details

For any medication you are taking, be sure to ask both the hospital that prescribed it and the checkup facility, and follow their instructions.

Section 3

Documents to Prepare

Documents to prepare

Get these ready before you leave for Korea

Your passport (for identification)
A list of your medications (name, ingredient, dose, reason for taking)
Notes on past medical history, surgeries and allergies (in English)
A note from your home doctor (the result of consulting about medication adjustment)
Recent checkup results and imaging (English versions or electronic files if possible)
Your booking confirmation and the list of tests
Payment method and the result of checking travel-insurance coverage
Items the facility told you to bring, such as a stool sample container

Section 4

Using Your Results After You Return

There is still work to do after you receive your results.

Collect your results

Confirm on site how you will receive your results and images (paper, electronic file, email, etc.). Reissuing them after you return home can be difficult.

Consult your home doctor

Show the results to your doctor at home and discuss the interpretation and next steps. Nothing on this page is a diagnosis or advice.

Medical certificates and documents

A medical certificate can only be issued by the doctor who examined you, so request any documents you need on site before you leave.

Language

Your results may be provided only in Korean, so check in advance whether an English version is available.

After you return

What matters most comes after you receive the results

Keep the results and imaging files in their original form
Obtain results in English or with reference ranges shown
If anything abnormal is found, take the results and imaging to your home doctor for consultation
Follow a medical professional’s judgment on whether further tests or a re-check are needed
Record your results so you can compare them at your next checkup
This is sensitive health information, so be careful how you store and send files

Section 5

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1 Can a checkup be finished in a day?

Yes. A checkup covering the basic items can be done within one day. However, adding tests can change how long it takes, and even if the checkup itself finishes in a day, preparation such as medication adjustment or diet changes may be needed from several days before. Confirm the actual time with the facility you book.

Q2 Which tests are typically included?

A basic comprehensive checkup often includes blood tests, a urine test, a chest X-ray, an ECG, an abdominal ultrasound and an upper endoscopy, while colonoscopy or CT are often chosen as add-on or detailed options. The contents differ by facility and package, so check the list of tests before booking.

Q3 How long before do I need to stop my medication?

It depends on the medication and the type of test. If you have an endoscopic biopsy or a contrast-dye CT, aspirin, antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants and some diabetes medications may need to be adjusted for several days beforehand, and there may be separate instructions for insulin on the day. Do not stop any medication you are taking on your own; be sure to ask both the hospital that prescribed it and the checkup facility and follow their instructions.

Q4 Who should foreign visitors ask about stopping medication?

Ask both the doctor at home who prescribed the medication and the checkup facility you booked, before you leave. Whether to adjust medication needs to be settled before the checkup, so it is safest to ask as soon as the date is set.

Q5 When do I start preparing for a colonoscopy?

It is common to be told to restrict whole grains, seaweed, nuts and fruit with seeds starting several days before, to eat only white porridge or thin rice soup the day before, and to take the bowel-prep solution in split doses as instructed. When the diet restrictions start and how to take the solution differ by facility, so follow the instructions from the facility you book. After a sedated endoscopy you may need someone with you and time to rest.

Q6 Can I claim the checkup cost on travel insurance?

Checkups for prevention or screening are often not covered by insurance. Check directly with your insurer before you leave whether it is covered.

Q7 How do I use the results after I return home?

Keep the results and imaging, show them to your doctor at home, and discuss the interpretation and next steps. Reissuing can be difficult, so confirm on site how you will receive them (paper, electronic file, etc.) and whether an English version is available. A medical certificate can only be issued by the doctor who examined you, so request it before you leave if you need one. Nothing on this page is a diagnosis or advice.

Q8 How do I find facilities that accept foreign patients?

You can find information for international patients on Medical Korea (medicalkorea.or.kr), run by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. This page does not recommend any facility or make bookings; contact the facility directly about tests, costs and language support.

Where to Go If You Get Sick While Traveling in Korea Medicine You Can Buy Without a Prescription in Korea