Medical Tourism in Korea 2026: Why 6 in 10 of the Record 2 Million Foreign Patients Chose Dermatology

A line of foreign customers outside a dermatology clinic in Myeongdong or Gangnam isn't an unusual sight anymore. According to data the Ministry of Health and Welfare released this past April, 2,011,822 foreign patients visited Korea last year, topping 2 million for the first time since record-keeping began in 2009. They came from 201 countries, and six out of every ten of them went in for dermatology treatment.

At a glance: 2,011,822 foreign patients in 2025, a sharp rise from the previous year and the first time past 2 million · by nationality, China ranks first at 30.8% (about 619,000), followed by Japan at 29.8% and Taiwan at 9.2% · by specialty, dermatology leads at 62.9% (about 1,313,000), followed by plastic surgery at 11.2% · by facility type, neighborhood clinics account for the vast majority at 87.7% · Seoul received 87.2% of all visits.

What stands out most is the pace of growth. American patients numbered 173,363, up 70.4% from the year before, while Canadian patients reached 23,624, up 59.1%. Chinese and Taiwanese patient numbers more than doubled year over year. The ministry attributed China's rise to the top spot largely to an easier visa process and growing interest in K-beauty.

Another notable pattern: the overwhelming majority of foreign patients choose neighborhood dermatology or plastic surgery clinics over large hospitals. This fits a routine many travelers follow — fitting in a laser treatment or skin-care session during a short trip, then heading straight back out to shop. Since these are cosmetic procedures rather than medical treatment, it's worth clarifying pricing and who is responsible if something goes wrong before you commit, right at the consultation stage.

If you're planning a dermatology or plastic surgery procedure in Korea, the first step is checking whether the clinic or agency is an officially registered "foreign patient attracting institution" with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Going through an unregistered broker makes it much harder to get help if a dispute arises afterward. Cosmetic procedures can also qualify for a value-added tax refund, so it's worth asking the clinic about refund eligibility and the process before you pay.