E-2 Visa Medical Exam in Korea for Native English Teachers

E-2 Visa Medical Examination Process

Teachers must also register with their local Office of Education within 15 days of their start date. Before registering with the immigration office, all teachers must complete a “Medical Examination” (Health Check) at a hospital designated by the Ministry of Justice. This examination is necessary for obtaining your Registration Card (RC) and for legally working as a teacher. We recommend booking your appointment in advance. Most hospitals allow you to make a reservation by filling out a form on their website or calling directly.

 

See the list of designated hospitals 
 

Note: Make sure to request 2 official copies of your Medical Examination Results: One for Immigration (Residence Card) One for the Office of Education to report your job

 

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Before Your Medical Exam

General Required Documents (check your specific hospital)

• Original Passport (valid for at least 6 months, recommended 13 months)
• 2 Official Passport-sized Photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm/See Photo Guide)

Exam Service fee: 70,000 ~ 200,000 KRW (varies by hospital)*
*The fee is typically paid by the teachers. Discuss with your school about payment/reimbursement.

 

Health & Exam Guidelines Do not eat food or drink for 8-12 hours before the exam (fasting required) Avoid greasy foods, alcohol, and excessive exercise for 2–3 days prior. Avoid cold medicine or caffeine 1 week before the exam Bring glasses/contacts if needed for vision tests Medication Considerations Certain prescription drugs may cause false positives in drug tests Consult your doctor before coming if you take medications (e.g., antithrombotics, anticoagulants, diabetes medications). Avoid certain medications (like Metformin for CT scans) as instructed Diabetic medication and insulin should not be taken on the day of the exam For women, avoid taking the exam during your menstrual cycle (if possible). Inform the hospital staff if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions.

 

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E-2 Medical Examination

Exam Details:

• Physical Examination: Mark Height/Weight/Blood Pressure, Vision & Hearing Tests
• Chest X-ray: Check for tuberculosis or other lung conditions
• Urine Test: Urinalysis and microscopy to assess kidney health (urinary tract health issues)
• Blood Test: Hemoglobin, SGOT/SGPT (Liver Function Test), FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar), VDRL-qal. (Test for syphilis), HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)*
• Drug Screening/Narcotics Test: Cocaine, Opiates, Cannabinoids, Methoxyphenamine
  • Although HIV screening has not been mandatory since 2017, it is still commonly tested.

Note: South Korea has zero tolerance for illegal drugs, including marijuana (THC).

Exam Duration: About 30 minutes to 2 hours (timing may vary)
Exam Results: Typically processed within 3–4 business days and provided in sealed envelopes. These must remain sealed.

 

Note: Do not open the sealed medical report; opening it may lead to rejection by immigration.

 

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After Your Medical Exam

Please ask for two copies of the result: One for the immigration office and another for the Ministry of Education. It usually costs 1,000 KRW for an additional copy. You will be contacted by the hospital once your results are processed (within 3-4 business days).