SOUTH KOREA – Tuberculosis Test Required for Certain Foreign Nationals
March 11, 2016
Foreign nationals who have resided in high-burden tuberculosis (TB) countries will now be required to undergo TB testing and show proof of the issued Certificate of Health when applying for various immigration services.
The following countries are deemed as high-burden for tuberculosis: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
- Affected foreign nationals who have entered Korea on or after March 2, 2016:
- Short-term visa holders – Must show Certificate of Health when applying for a change of status or extension of stay period to a long-term visa status.
- Long-term visa holders – Must show Certificate of Health when applying for alien registration.
- Affected foreign nationals who have entered Korea on or before March 1, 2016:
- Short-term visa holders – Must show Certificate of Health when applying for a change of status or extension of stay period to a long-term visa status.
- Long-term visa holders – Must show Certificate of Health when applying for alien registration for the first time.
The following foreign nationals are exempt from this requirement:
- Diplomats (A-1), Foreign Government Officials (A-2), and International Agreement (A-3) status holders;
- Children ages 5 and under;
- Short-term visa holders who apply for extension of stay period without converting to long-term status.