How to Get a Tax Refund for Plastic Surgery in Korea

Yes, you can claim a 10% VAT refund—even for cosmetic procedures!

If you’ve had plastic surgery in Korea, you may be eligible for a 10% Value Added Tax (VAT) refund on your medical expenses.

The process has become much easier in recent years.
You can now receive your refund both at the airport and in downtown Seoul—whichever is more convenient for you.

Where Can You Get Your Refund?

1. Downtown Refund Desks

  • Visit a refund kiosk or desk in designated shopping or tourist areas.

  • Show your passport, receipt, and refund form (provided by the clinic).

  • Get instant cash refund (in KRW or your local currency).

Downtown Tax Refund Counter

2. Airport Refund Kiosks

  • Head to the VAT Refund Counter before departure at Incheon or Gimpo Airport.

  • Use self-service kiosks or visit a staff counter.

  • Present your passport, receipt, and refund form.

  • Choose to get your refund via cash or credit card.

Tax Refund Counter(Airport/Port)

What You Need to Prepare:

  • Your passport (must be non-Korean)

  • The original receipt issued by the clinic

  • The VAT refund form (ask our staff if you don’t receive it)

  • Your boarding pass (at the airport)

ℹ️ Need Help?

If you’re unsure about anything, just ask our front desk—we’ll help you prepare everything before your departure.

For further questions about the tax refund process, you can also contact the Medical Korea Support Center at 1577-7129.

✨ Plan Smart. Save More.

Evita Clinic makes sure our international patients not only receive top-quality care—but also enjoy all the benefits available to them in Korea.

❓Frequently Asked Questions: Tax Refund for Medical Tourists in Korea

Yes, the regulation was updated on January 1, 2024.
Foreign visitors can now get a VAT refund for medical services costing over KRW 15,000 (about USD 11), reduced from the previous KRW 30,000.
This applies to aesthetic treatments like Botox and fillers as well.

No, not all clinics offer VAT refunds.
To be eligible, you must visit a registered medical institution authorized for VAT refunds, such as Evita Clinic.
Only approved clinics that are part of the government-designated program can issue the necessary refund documents.

You can download the updated list of eligible clinics from the Medical Korea website.
The list is updated monthly, so please check it before your visit.

Visit Medical Korea Website

Yes, VAT refunds can be made in major foreign currencies (USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CNY) or via credit card, Alipay, or WeChat Pay—not just in Korean won.

If your total eligible refund amount is under KRW 5,000,000, you may receive it at a downtown refund center, not just at the airport.
However, your departure date must be verified, to prevent refund abuse.

Please note:

  • For cash refunds downtown, a credit card deposit is usually required (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Amex).

  • Processing time is longer (approx. 2–3 weeks) compared to airport refunds.

  • Refund procedures and hours may vary by refund operator, so it’s best to call ahead before visiting a refund desk.

Only specific aesthetic (non-medical) procedures are eligible for a 10% VAT refund under Korean tax law. Below is a summary of eligible and non-eligible procedures:

✅ VAT-Refund Eligible Cosmetic Procedures

(Non-medical, aesthetic purpose only)

️ Eye Surgery / Nose Surgery / ‍ Facial Contouring / Lip & Ear Surgery

Skin & Anti-aging Treatments

  • Botox & filler injections

  • Laser or ultrasound lifting

  • PRP, PDRN, PLLA injections

  • Whitening, anti-aging, collagen stimulation

  • Acne treatments

  • Scar or pore reduction

Body & Breast

  • Liposuction

  • Tummy tuck

  • Buttock augmentation

  • Arm/leg contouring

  • Breast augmentation/reduction/lift

  • Navel surgery

Dental Aesthetics

❌ NOT Eligible for VAT Refund

(Classified as medical or reconstructive procedures)

  • Reconstructive surgery for congenital deformities

  • Surgery after accidents or burns

  • Breast reconstruction after cancer

  • Vision correction (LASIK, strabismus correction)

  • Scar or stretch mark removal

  • Atopic dermatitis, warts, herpes treatment

  • Functional procedures (e.g., erectile dysfunction, urinary tract issues)

  • Orthodontics and cavity fillings

  • Functional upper eyelid surgery for ptosis

⚠️ Important:
To be eligible for a refund, the procedure must be purely cosmetic and performed at a certified VAT-participating clinic like Evita Clinic. Always check with the clinic in advance.

VAT refunds for cosmetic procedures are only available to individuals who do not have a registered address or residence in Korea.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Hold a foreign passport or prove long-term residence abroad, and

  • Depart Korea within 3 months of receiving treatment.

At Evita Clinic, we check:

  • Your passport, and

  • Your departure flight details (within 3 months) before issuing a VAT refund form.

✅ Eligible for VAT Refund:

  • Foreign nationals staying in Korea for less than 6 months

  • Korean nationals living abroad for more than 2 years

  • Koreans working for foreign companies or international organizations overseas

  • Foreigners visiting for public duties from a foreign government or international agency

  • Former residents of Korea who are currently staying abroad for more than 3 months

❌ Not Eligible for VAT Refund:

  • Foreign diplomats, UN troops, and US military personnel in Korea

  • Koreans dispatched by the Korean government to work at overseas embassies

  • Koreans staying in Korea for more than 3 months (even if they live abroad)

  • Foreigners working in Korea or residing for more than 6 months

Important:
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact our staff or call the Medical Korea Support Center (1577-7129).