A clinic that advertises in English is not automatically registered to treat foreign patients. In Korea, registration is a legal step with specific requirements, and you can check it before you pay a deposit. This guide shows what the registration is, how to look a clinic up, and what the result does not tell you.
What “registered” means
Under the Act on Supporting Overseas Expansion of Medical Services and Attraction of International Patients (Article 6), a medical institution that wants to attract international patients must register with its city or provincial government. To qualify, it must:
- assign at least one specialist doctor to each department it advertises to foreign patients, and
- carry medical malpractice liability insurance, or join the medical liability mutual aid system.
Registration is valid for three years and must be renewed before it expires. The registration certificate has to be displayed where visitors can see it (Article 8). Attracting foreign patients without registration is a criminal offence, with up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (Article 28).
Two different things get called “registered”
| Type | Who it is | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Medical institution | The clinic or hospital that treats you | Specialist per department, malpractice insurance |
| Agency | A company that finds and sends patients to clinics | Guarantee insurance, minimum capital, an office in Korea |
The two registrations are separate. A registered clinic does not make its agency registered, and the reverse is also true. If someone is arranging your booking, ask for the agency’s legal name as well as the clinic’s.
How to check a clinic, step by step
- Get the Korean legal name and address. Ask the clinic for its name in Hangul (한글) and its full Korean address. English brand names often differ from the registered name.
- Look it up on our clinic map. For Seoul dermatology clinics, it shows whether the clinic appears on the city’s registry of institutions registered to attract foreign patients. Search by name or district.
- Confirm with the official source. Medical Korea, the government service for international patients, and the registering city or provincial office are the official checks. Directories and review sites are not registries.
- Ask for the certificate. A registered clinic must display it. Ask for a photo of it, including the registration period. A clinic that avoids this request is a warning sign.
- Check the doctor separately. Registration means the clinic has a specialist on staff for the department. It does not tell you who will perform your treatment. Ask for the doctor’s full name and specialty in writing.
What our map shows
Our map combines two public datasets: the national hospital register for dermatology clinics in Seoul, and the Seoul registry of institutions registered for foreign patients (retrieved 21 July 2026). In that data, 518 of 899 dermatology-related clinics are on the registry, and each listing also shows the number of dermatology specialists the national register records for that clinic.
Two limits to keep in mind. Names are matched automatically, so a clinic that uses a different name in each list may appear as not registered when it is. And registrations expire or change, so use the map as a first check, then confirm with the official source before you pay.
What registration does not tell you
- It is not a quality rating. It is an administrative check. It is not an endorsement of a doctor, treatment, price or result.
- It does not cover price. Cosmetic treatments are not covered by national insurance, and clinics set their own prices. Always get an itemised estimate in writing.
- It does not guarantee results. Be cautious of any clinic or agency that promises outcomes.
Red flags before you book
- The clinic cannot give its Korean legal name or address.
- No certificate, or reluctance to show it.
- Pressure to pay a deposit immediately, or to pay in cash.
- A consultation with a “coordinator” only, and no named doctor.
- No written estimate, consent form or refund terms.
Frequently asked questions
Can an unregistered clinic treat foreigners?
A licensed clinic can treat any patient who walks in. The registration rules apply to institutions that actively attract international patients, for example through marketing aimed at them or agents who bring them in.
Does registration mean the clinic accepts my insurance?
No. Registration is unrelated to insurance. Ask the clinic what it accepts, and check with your own insurer.
How often does the registry change?
Registrations run for three years and can be revoked or lapse. That is why the map shows the date its data was retrieved.
Where do I report a problem?
Keep your quote, receipts, photos and messages. Start with the clinic in writing, then contact the registering city or provincial office or the Korea Consumer Agency.
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. See the About page for our sources and corrections policy.