Health checks when arriving in Korea and starting work.
Know which examination to book — and avoid paying for the wrong one.
- Ask your employer for the exact examination name and required tests before booking.
- Confirm the clinic currently offers that examination before travelling there.
- Before paying, check four things: the correct examination, an accepted clinic, the required copies and the submission deadline.
Is a health check required for everyone?
Requirements vary. The certificate you need depends on your visa, your role and the organisation receiving it.
E-2 English teachers
- Need an employment medical certificate for the relevant immigration process.
- It must be issued by a Ministry of Justice-designated medical institution.
- The E-2 examination includes drug screening.
F-series visa holders
- Ask your employer about employment and education-office requirements separately.
- Your visa alone does not tell you which paperwork the school needs.
Other visa categories
- Requirements differ by status and employer.
- Ask the employer which examination, if any, is required — and for whom the certificate is issued.
Book the correct examination
Explain whether your certificate is for immigration, employment or teacher registration. A routine health screening may not meet the requirements for an E-2 teacher examination.
채용신체검사
- [chaeyong sinche geomsa] [chaeyong sinche geomsa] Employment medical examination.
원어민 교사 채용신체검사
- [woneomin gyosa chaeyong sinche geomsa] [woneomin gyosa chaeyong sinche geomsa] Native-speaking teacher employment medical examination.
마약검사
- [mayak geomsa] [mayak geomsa] Drug screening.
건강검진
- [geongang geomjin] [geongang geomjin] Health screening — a broader term that may refer to a different service.
Show reception your employer’s written instructions rather than relying on the examination name alone.
Prepare before you pay
For E-2 examinations, recruiter guidance gives an indicative cost of ₩70,000–₩130,000, with results in roughly three days to one week. Prices and turnaround times vary.
- 01Documents
Confirm the required identification, photographs and any employer forms.
- 02Appointment
Ask whether you need to book ahead.
- 03Fasting
At least eight hours is commonly requested; check whether water is allowed and follow your clinic’s instructions.
- 04Medication
Ask how to manage prescribed medication. Do not stop it yourself.
- 05Cost and copies
Confirm the total price, collection date and number of certificates.
Waiting for your residence card?
Ask whether you can attend using your passport. Official guidance for incoming guest English teachers lists a passport, photographs and the examination fee among the items to bring.
Confirm the clinic’s identification requirements before delaying your appointment until the card arrives.
Collecting and submitting your results
Check whether your employer needs the examination completed, or the certificate delivered, by its deadline. Allow time for processing and any follow-up the clinic requests.
Originals and copies
- Ask which organisations need an original copy.
- Where sealed results are required, leave the envelope unopened.
- Request a separate personal copy if you want to read your results.
Before paying, confirm four things: the correct examination, an accepted clinic, the required copies and the submission deadline. A quick check with your employer can save a second appointment.
Editorial guide based on official sources, reviewed 15 October 2026. Confirm current requirements with the responsible office before acting.