Korea LASIK Guide for Foreign Patients — KHIDI Clinics, Cost, Schedule

Korea LASIK Guide for Foreign Patients — KHIDI Registered Clinics, Cost, and Schedule in 5 Steps

In 2025, approximately 12,000 foreign patients received eye procedures in Korea (KHIDI Foreign Patient Treatment Statistics). This guide outlines 5 steps for foreign patients considering LASIK in Korea — from identifying KHIDI registered clinics to preparing for the procedure.

MyClinic provides a search tool for KHIDI registered clinics. Treatment inquiries proceed based on the patient's own decision.

1. What Is a KHIDI Registered Clinic?

KHIDI (Korea Health Industry Development Institute), an agency under the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, registers and manages Korean medical facilities authorized to treat foreign patients.

KHIDI registered clinics meet the following qualifications:

• Authorized for foreign patient treatment under Korea Medical Law §27
• Dedicated foreign patient department or coordinator
• Translator on staff or contracted translation service
• Price list provided in foreign languages (English required)
• Patient safety management system

The registration is valid for 5 years and must be renewed. Each clinic submits annual foreign patient treatment reports to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Treatment at unregistered facilities violates the Korea Foreign Patient Treatment Support Act §13, so we recommend verifying KHIDI registration before any procedure.

MyClinic only displays KHIDI registered partner clinics in search results.

2. LASIK Procedure Cost in Korea — Equal Pricing Policy for Foreign Patients

Under the Korea Foreign Patient Treatment Support Act §4, Korean medical facilities must apply the same pricing to foreign patients as to Korean nationals. Differential pricing for non-covered procedures constitutes a legal violation.

LASIK procedure cost range (2026 reference):

Procedure	Cost Range (KRW)	Recovery Period
Standard LASIK	KRW 1,800,000 ~ 2,500,000	1 week post-procedure
LASEK	KRW 1,500,000 ~ 2,200,000	1~2 weeks post-procedure
SMILE LASIK	KRW 2,500,000 ~ 3,500,000	3~5 days post-procedure

The exact price at each clinic can be confirmed through direct inquiry. Procedure cost typically includes examination, surgery, and post-procedure check-ups. Non-medical services (airport pickup, translation, accommodation) are charged separately.

Foreign currency settlement and card transaction fees may be charged at cost — this falls under the exceptions allowed within the equal pricing requirement under §4.

3. Foreign Patient Arrival Schedule — From D-30 to D-Day

We recommend beginning arrival preparation 30 days before the procedure.

D-30: Visa Application

• Medical visa (C-3-M, short-term 90 days) or tourist visa
• Treatment reservation confirmation (required for medical visa)
• Some countries allow visa-free entry (refer to Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa policy)

D-14: Flight and Accommodation Booking

• Flight to Incheon or Gimpo Airport
• Accommodation near the partner clinic (nearby hotel or guesthouse)

D-7: Arrival Notification (if MyClinic Widget Activated)

If you have activated MyClinic's arrival schedule notification widget, you receive automated guidance for:

• Visa and passport validity verification
• Treatment reservation confirmation
• Korea arrival flight information
• Clinic location and contact details

D-1: Airport Pickup Guide

• Partner clinic translation support
• Airport pickup time and location

D-Day: Arrival in Korea, Treatment Commencement

• First visit guide at the partner clinic
• Pre-procedure examination schedule
• Procedure schedule

4. Partner Clinic Search — MyClinic Tool Guide

In MyClinic, you can search KHIDI registered partner clinics by the following criteria:

• Procedure category: LASIK, LASEK, SMILE LASIK, cataract surgery, etc.
• Language support: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Japanese
• Location: Gangnam, Hongdae, Dongdaemun, Busan, etc.
• Pricing: Only clinics with equal pricing policy displayed

The search results show facility information, specialist credentials, language support range, and procedure catalog for each partner clinic.

Treatment inquiries are submitted through the MyClinic inquiry form and forwarded directly to the partner clinic. Matching is confirmed based on agreement between the clinic and the patient. MyClinic does not guarantee matching outcomes — treatment proceeds based on the patient's own decision.

5. Recovery Schedule and Post-Procedure Check-Ups

LASIK recovery schedules vary by procedure type and individual condition.

Immediately Post-Procedure (Day 0 ~ 3)

• Blurred vision is typical
• Use eye drops and artificial tears
• Avoid bright light and dust exposure

Post-Procedure Week 1

• One post-procedure check-up (typically scheduled by the partner clinic)
• Vision recovery in progress
• Avoid night driving and intense exercise

Post-Procedure Month 1

• 2~3 additional check-ups
• Return to daily activities

Post-Procedure Month 3~6

• Vision stabilization
• 1~2 additional check-ups (scheduled by the clinic)

In your MyClinic patient page, you can receive automated post-procedure check-up schedule notifications. Post-procedure consultations with the partner clinic are available via KakaoTalk or email.

Conclusion

When preparing for LASIK in Korea, foreign patients are recommended to follow these 5 steps:

1. Verify the clinic's KHIDI registration
2. Confirm procedure cost and equal pricing policy
3. Prepare arrival schedule from D-30 to D-Day
4. Search partner clinics using MyClinic's tool
5. Confirm post-procedure check-up schedule in advance

You can search KHIDI registered partner clinics on MyClinic. Treatment inquiries and matching outcomes are confirmed based on agreement between the patient and the clinic.