Tuberculosis (TB) test for a Korean visa: which countries, which visas, how long it is valid
Numbers checked against the official source on 2026-10-19
Under the Korean embassy notices, nationals of 35 listed "high TB burden" countries who apply for a visa to stay in Korea for more than 90 days must submit a tuberculosis test certificate (this includes all D-type and F-type visas). The notices ask for a chest X-ray report issued within the last 3 months by a hospital the embassy has designated. Exempt: diplomatic, official and treaty visa applicants (A-1 to A-3), children under 6, and pregnant women with a doctor's letter issued within the last month.
Who needs the certificate
- Nationals of high TB burden countries who apply for a C-4-1 to C-4-4 visa (C-4-5 is not required) or any long-term visa, which the notices define as a visa allowing more than 90 days in Korea. This includes D-type and F-type visas and applicants who have received a Confirmation of Visa Issuance Number (CVI).
- Also nationals of those countries living elsewhere for less than 6 months when they apply. The Singapore embassy's Q&A says a national of a high-TB country who has lived in Singapore for more than 6 months does not need to submit it, and that a national of a country not on the list does not need it.
- Not required: applicants for A-1, A-2 and A-3 visas; children below 6 years old; pregnant women (a doctor's letter issued within the last month confirming pregnancy is required).
High TB burden countries in the notices
| Nepal | Timor Leste | Russia | Malaysia | Mongolia |
| Myanmar | Bangladesh | Vietnam | Sri Lanka | Uzbekistan |
| India | Indonesia | China | Cambodia | Kyrgyzstan |
| Thailand | Pakistan | Philippines | Laos | Kazakhstan |
| Tajikistan | Ukraine | Azerbaijan | Belarus | Moldova |
| Nigeria | South Africa | Ethiopia | Congo | Kenya |
| Mozambique | Zimbabwe | Angola | Peru | Papua New Guinea |
The count of 35 is our count of the names (derived arithmetic: 7 rows of 5). The notices do not state a number. Countries not in this list, such as the United States, are not covered by the notices.
What to submit
| Embassy notice | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 2024-01-02 | Chest X-ray report (radiology report), issued within the last 3 months by a hospital designated by the embassy |
| Singapore | 2023-08-28 | Certificate of Health (form attached to the notice) and chest X-ray report, both issued within the last 3 months; the TB test must be done in Singapore or Korea |
| Malaysia | 2022-05-02 | Certificate of TB screening and chest X-ray report, both from one of the designated hospitals on the attached list; documents from hospitals not on the list will not be accepted |
- If you cannot have a chest X-ray: two of the notices say the doctor must write the alternative TB test that was done (sputum test, tuberculin skin test or blood test) in the certificate and attach that test report.
- Designated hospitals: each embassy sets its own list and publishes it as an attachment to its notice (PDF), which we did not download. Check your own embassy's notice; a certificate from a hospital that is not on that list is not accepted in the Malaysia notice.
How the older notice differs
| Point | 2017 notice (Wuhan consulate) | 2022 to 2024 notices |
|---|---|---|
| Stay length | 91 days or more | More than 90 days |
| Validity | 3 months | Issued within the last 3 months |
| Exempt | Children aged 5 and under, pregnancy, elderly people | A-1, A-2 and A-3 visa applicants, children under 6, pregnant women (no exemption for the elderly is printed) |
| Test items | At least one of chest X-ray, sputum test, tuberculin skin test or blood test, at a hospital the consulate designates | Chest X-ray report; an alternative test only if an X-ray is not possible |
The 2017 notice is the oldest. We give priority to the 2024 notice for the exemptions and documents.
Check if the notices require it
The checker applies only the wording of the embassy notices listed above. It does not cover the rules for people already in Korea who extend their stay or register as foreigners (check HiKorea or immigration for this), other embassies' own variations, or later changes. The "more than 6 months" rule is printed in the Singapore Q&A; confirm it with the embassy that will take your application. Confirm the current list with the embassy before you book the test.
Common questions
Which visas need a TB test for Korea?
For nationals of the listed countries: C-4-1 to C-4-4 and any long-term visa (stays over 90 days), including D-type and F-type visas.
How long is the TB certificate valid?
The notices ask for documents issued within the last 3 months before the application.
Where can I get the test?
At a hospital designated by the embassy that handles your visa; each embassy publishes its list with its notice. The Singapore notice says the test must be done in Singapore or Korea.
Related: Korea immigration fees and alien registration and residence card.
Official sources
- Embassy of Korea in South Africa (MOFA) — Submission of TB test (chest X-ray) certificate for a visa application — notice dated 2024-01-02: who it applies to, 35 countries, exemptions, documents, alternative tests (checked 2026-10-19)
- Embassy of Korea in Singapore (MOFA) — Submission of TB test certificate for visa application — notice dated 2023-08-28: Certificate of Health and chest X-ray, 3 months, Q&A on residence over 6 months (checked 2026-10-19)
- Embassy of Korea in Malaysia (MOFA) — Requirement for TB test certificate submission — notice dated 2022-05-02: designated hospitals only (checked 2026-10-19)
- Korean Consulate General in Wuhan (MOFA) — 결핵건강진단서 제출 관련 안내 — notice dated 2017-08-23: 91 days or more, test items, exemptions, validity of 3 months (older) (checked 2026-10-19)
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