Step-by-Step Guide: How Foreigners Visit a Clinic in Korea

How to Visit a Korean Clinic Step-by-Step

A Simple Guide for Foreigners Living, Working, or Traveling in Korea

Visiting a medical clinic in a new country can feel intimidating.
Different forms, different systems, different expectations—all of it can create uncertainty, especially if English is not widely spoken.

But in Korea, the good news is that the medical system is designed to be fast, accessible, and largely intuitive, even for first-time visitors.
With the right preparation and a basic understanding of the process, foreigners can confidently seek care whenever they need it.

This guide outlines a step-by-step approach to visiting a clinic in Korea, based on real experiences shared by coworkers, expats, and international students.

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■ Why this guide matters

Foreigners who live or travel in Korea often comment on three things:

1. Walk-in access is easier than expected
2. Medical care is faster than in many other countries
3. The entire experience—from registration to pharmacy—can be done in under an hour

Still, the first clinic visit can feel unfamiliar.
The steps below break it down.

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■ Step 1: Find a clinic (and pick the right type)

Unlike many Western systems, Korea does not require a general practitioner referral.

There are two primary clinic types:

1) Local Clinic (Hyeondaega or “의원”)

• Small, neighborhood medical practice
• Shorter wait times
• Ideal for:
  • Colds, flu, fever
  • Allergies
  • Rashes + mild dermatology
  • Stomach issues
  • Muscle strain

2) Specialty Clinics + Hospitals

• Dermatology
• ENT (ear, nose, throat)
• Orthopedics
• Internal medicine
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Psychiatric/mental health clinics

These can be visited directly—no referral required.

Tip:
Search “영어 진료” (English available) + 지역 이름
to find language-friendly clinics.

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■ Step 2: Prepare documents (optional but helpful)

Bring:

• Alien Registration Card (ARC) if you have one
• Passport, if you are short-term
• Health insurance information, if applicable
• A short description of symptoms (English or phone translation)

Most clinics accept walk-ins with just your name and phone number.

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■ Step 3: Register at reception (접수)

At the front desk:

• Say “진료 받고 싶어요” (I’d like to see a doctor)
• Present ARC/passport
• They may ask:
  • Symptom duration
  • Major concerns
  • Any recent hospital visits

You’ll receive a patient number and wait to be called.

In many clinics, waiting time is 10–30 minutes unless it’s rush hour.

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■ Step 4: See the doctor

Doctors will typically:

1. Ask a few symptom questions
2. Examine the affected area
3. Suggest tests if necessary
4. Provide a diagnosis
5. Explain medication or next steps

If English support is limited:

• Doctors often write key words or draw diagrams
• Clinic staff may use translation apps
• You can show your own translation notes

Tip:
Be honest, brief, and clear—Korean medical appointments move quickly.

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■ Step 5: Get tests done (if required)

Many clinics can perform:

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• Ultrasound
• Basic scans

Sometimes results return same day or next morning, depending on the clinic.

You do not need to visit a separate hospital if basic diagnostics are available on-site.

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■ Step 6: Check out and receive your prescription

After the appointment:

• Return to the front desk
• Pay your bill
• Receive a printed prescription (처방전)

If you are insured (NHI or employer plan), you pay only a portion.
If uninsured, you still pay at the clinic—but many expats note the cost is lower than in their home country.

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■ Step 7: Visit a pharmacy (약국)

Pharmacies are almost always:

• On the same street
• In the same building
• Across the road from clinics

Steps:

1. Hand the pharmacist your prescription
2. Wait ~2–5 minutes
3. Receive medication + instructions

Medication bags often include:

• Dosage timing (morning / afternoon / evening)
• Meal timing (before / after meals)

If instructions are unclear, ask:

• “영어 설명 가능해요?”
  Many pharmacists can provide simple English if needed.

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■ Step 8: Monitor symptoms and follow-up

If symptoms:

• improve → no further action
• do not improve → return and report
• worsen → visit a larger hospital or emergency room (응급실)

Good news:
Follow-ups at the same clinic are often quick since records are already on file.

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■ Bonus: What foreigners appreciate most

Based on firsthand feedback:

✔ Walk-in same-day appointments
✔ Ability to see specialists immediately
✔ Transparent cost and short billing queues
✔ Clear guidance from reception to pharmacy
✔ Seamlessly integrated clinic–pharmacy system

For many expats, this convenience becomes one of the most reliable parts of daily life in Korea.