“I need to stay longer for treatment… How to Resolve It with the Foreign Patient G‑1‑10 Visa?”

 When a foreigner in Korea comes to need long‑term treatment or recuperation, it is difficult to complete the treatment with only an existing tourist visa or short‑term stay status. In such cases, the humanitarian status of stay that can be used is the ‘Foreign Patient (G‑1‑10) Visa.’

 

Overview of the G‑1‑10 Foreign Patient Visa

 

G‑1 is an ‘Other (G‑1)’ status of stay that does not fall under general statuses such as Diplomat (A‑1), Visit and Employment (H‑2), or Permanent Resident (F‑5), but is granted to persons whose stay is recognized as necessary on humanitarian grounds by the Minister of Justice. Among these, G‑1‑10 is a specific status granted to ‘foreign patients and their accompanying family members and caregivers’ who entered on a short‑term basis but later came to require long‑term treatment or recuperation.

 

A typical pattern is that someone enters with a B‑1, B‑2, or C‑3 (tourism/short‑term visit) status for a health check‑up or simple treatment, and then, when examination results show that long‑term treatment is necessary, changes to G‑1‑10.

 

Eligibility for Change from B‑1/B‑2/C‑3 to G‑1‑10

 

o Eligible applicants

- Persons who entered with B‑1, B‑2, or C‑3 (including C‑3‑3) status and are recognized by a medical institution, based on examination results, as requiring long‑term treatment or recuperation.

- The foreign patient who needs long‑term stay, as well as accompanying family members such as a spouse whose presence is deemed necessary, and caregivers, are also included.

 

o Status and period of stay

- Status of stay: G‑1‑10 (Foreign Patient).

- Period of stay: Up to one year may be granted.

 

Even if only a short period of stay remains under the short‑term visa, if a hospital’s medical opinion recognizes the necessity of long‑term treatment, it is possible to change to G‑1‑10 and continue receiving treatment legally.

 

Required Documents for Applying for G‑1‑10

 

For the Foreign Patient Visa, the key points are proving ‘the necessity of treatment, the ability to bear the costs, and the actual place of stay.’

 

o Basic documents

- Application form (Annexed Form No. 34).

- Passport, one standard‑size ID photo, and the application fee.

 

o Medical documents

- Medical opinions, diagnoses, or similar documents issued by a medical institution that can prove the necessity of long‑term treatment or recuperation.

- The more specifically the treatment period, treatment details, and whether hospitalization is required are stated, the more advantageous it is in screening.

 

o Financial and residence‑related documents

- Documents proving the ability to cover treatment and living expenses (such as bank balance certificates or sponsorship/guarantee documents).

- Documents proving family relationships and caregiver status (when a spouse, immediate family, or caregiver is accompanying the patient).

- Documents proving the place of residence (such as a lease contract, accommodation provision certificate, notices of impending expiration of stay, utility bill receipts, or dormitory fee receipts).

 

o Additional documents for proxy applications

- If a designated staff member of the inviting institution (hospital) or the representative/employee of a medical institution applies on behalf of the patient, documents proving the authority to act as a proxy, such as a power of attorney and a certificate of employment.

 

If the inviting institution or guarantor vouches for the patient’s identity, some proof of financial capability may be omitted, but institutions with a history of many overstayers may be asked to submit additional documents more strictly.

 

Extension of the G‑1‑10 Period of Stay

 

If long‑term treatment takes longer than expected, it is possible to apply for an extension of stay while holding G‑1‑10 status.

 

o Eligible for extension

- Patients already staying with G‑1‑10 status, and accompanying family members or caregivers of patients who need long‑term stay.

 

o Period of stay

- An extension of stay of up to one year can be granted.

 

o Documents required for extension

- Application form (Annexed Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, and the application fee.

- Medical opinions or diagnoses issued by a medical institution that prove the necessity of continuing long‑term stay.

- Documents proving the ability to cover treatment and living expenses (some of these may be omitted if the inviting institution or guarantor provides a guarantee).

- Documents proving family relationships and caregiver status (when accompanying family members or caregivers are extending their stay together).

- Documents proving the place of residence (such as a lease contract, accommodation provision certificate, utility bill receipts, or dormitory fee receipts).

 

At each extension, it is important to present medical opinions that concretely explain ‘why continued treatment in Korea is necessary’ and ‘what the treatment plan and expected duration are.’

 

Inviting Institutions, Guarantors, and Practical Considerations

 

o Role of the inviting institution (hospital)

- The hospital that invites the foreign patient plays a key role in preparing medical opinions, providing financial guarantees, and submitting applications as a proxy.

- In particular, if this is the first time the institution is inviting a patient, or if there have been many past cases of overstayers, the immigration authorities may require more stringent proof of financial capability and other additional documents.

 

o Planning for caregivers and accompanying family members

- Depending on the patient’s condition, it is often necessary for a spouse, parents, children, or a caregiver to stay together, so it is efficient to prepare the documents for the G‑1‑10 patient and accompanying persons as a package.

 

o Timing before visa expiration

- An application to change to G‑1‑10 must be submitted before the B‑1/B‑2/C‑3 period of stay ends, and applying right before expiration is risky because there is no time left to supplement the documents.

 

How Administrative Attorney Seong-In Kim Can Help?

 

o Preliminary assessment

- Based on the current visa type (B‑1/B‑2/C‑3, etc.), remaining period of stay, and medical diagnosis (treatment period and severity), the feasibility and strategy for changing to G‑1‑10 can be assessed.

 

o Structuring the documentation

- Practical guidance can be given on what key information must be included in the hospital’s medical opinion (such as treatment period and the necessity of long‑term hospitalization), and how to organize and submit documents proving financial capability, place of residence, and family relationships.

 

o Extension and stay strategies for family and caregivers

- Depending on the treatment progress, it is possible to determine whether an extension is needed and, when necessary, to design stay strategies for accompanying family members and caregivers so that a lawful status of stay can be maintained until treatment is completed.

 

The Foreign Patient (G‑1‑10) Visa is an important turning point that determines ‘whether treatment can be completed or whether the patient must return home mid‑treatment.’ If you set up both the treatment plan and the stay strategy from the initial consultation stage, you can manage both treatment and stay in a much more stable way. Please feel free to contact us at any time. The end.