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Tax Refund for Visitors

Many international visitors ask whether a tax refund applies to treatment. The honest answer: it depends on current Korean rules and on the treatment, so please ask us when booking.

The short answer

Korea has had schemes allowing some foreign visitors to reclaim tax on certain medical and aesthetic services. However, whether a refund is available for your treatment depends on the Korean rules in force at the time of your visit and on the specific treatment you have. These rules can change, and not every service is necessarily covered.

For that reason, we do not promise a refund on this website. Instead, please ask the team when booking , and they will advise based on your plan and the current rules.

Why we cannot give a blanket answer

  • Rules change: refund schemes for medical tourism are set by the Korean government and may be updated, extended or ended.
  • Treatments differ: eligibility can depend on the type of service, so one part of a plan may be treated differently from another.
  • Your status matters: schemes are generally aimed at short-term foreign visitors, and your visa or residency status may affect eligibility.

Giving you an accurate answer for your situation is more useful than a general statement that may not apply.

How to check, step by step

1. Mention it when you message us

When you contact us on WhatsApp at wa.link/oblivmyeongdong , say that you would like to know about tax refund eligibility. Include the treatments you are interested in and your travel dates.

2. Confirm your plan

Your final treatment plan is confirmed by a director at your in-person consultation. If the plan changes, ask the team to confirm whether that affects any refund question.

3. Ask what you need to keep

If a refund may be available, ask the team what documents or receipts you should keep and what you will need to show. Keep your passport with you on the day of treatment.

4. Allow time before your flight

Where a refund process exists, it may involve steps at the clinic or before you leave Korea. Ask the team how and when this happens so you can plan for it, and do not leave it until the last minute at the airport.

Planning your budget

Because a refund cannot be guaranteed in advance, we suggest planning your budget on the basis of the full quoted price. If a refund does turn out to apply, treat it as a welcome extra rather than something your plans rely on. For a clear idea of costs, see Prices & Quotes — ask us on WhatsApp for a personalised quote — and Payment Methods .

Other money tips for visitors

  • Ask for your quote in writing on WhatsApp so you have a clear record.
  • If you are combining several treatments in one trip, ask for a quote covering the whole plan; see Combining Treatments in One Trip .
  • Check with your card provider about overseas transaction fees before you travel.
  • Keep all receipts together with your passport until you leave Korea.

Contact

For the quickest answer in English, message us on WhatsApp. You can also call +82 2-6956-3438 or email official@oblivseoul.kr.

Checklist before you travel

A little preparation makes the tax question much easier to answer accurately. Before you fly to Seoul, it helps to have the following ready:

  • Your passport details. You will need your passport with you at the clinic, and the team may ask about your entry status when you enquire.
  • A shortlist of treatments. Tell us what you are considering, even if the final plan is only confirmed at your consultation. This lets the team check how current rules may apply to each item.
  • Your departure date and airport. If any process needs to happen before you leave Korea, knowing whether you fly from Incheon or Gimpo helps you plan your last day.
  • A written quote. Ask for your quote on WhatsApp so the figures you budget with are the same ones you discuss at the clinic.
  • A folder or envelope for receipts. It sounds simple, but keeping everything in one place avoids searching through bags at the last minute.

If you are planning several visits in one stay, our guide on how long to stay can help you build in enough time for treatment, aftercare and any paperwork without rushing. Whatever the answer on refunds, the team will explain it clearly in English before you commit to anything.

At a glance

  • Eligibility: Depends on current Korean rules and the treatment
  • How to check: Ask the team when booking
  • Bring: Your passport on the day
  • Keep: All receipts until you leave Korea
  • Budget tip: Plan on the full quoted price
  • Contact: WhatsApp in English

Tax refund: common questions

  • Will I get a tax refund on my treatment?

    Eligibility depends on current Korean rules and on the treatment you have. Please ask the team when booking and they will advise based on your plan.

  • Does a refund apply to every treatment?

    Not necessarily. Eligibility can vary by type of service, which is why we check against your specific plan rather than giving a general answer.

  • What should I bring?

    Bring your passport on the day of treatment and keep all receipts until you leave Korea. The team will tell you if anything else is needed.

  • Should I count on a refund when budgeting?

    We suggest planning on the full quoted price. If a refund applies, treat it as a bonus rather than something your budget depends on.

Ask us about tax refunds

Message us on WhatsApp in English. Obliv Clinic Seoul Origin, Pagoda Tower, 93 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu — about 5 minutes on foot from Jonggak and Euljiro 1-ga stations, close to Myeongdong.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Suitability, number of sessions and results vary from person to person and are decided with a doctor at consultation.