Frequently asked questions

We are an officially registered medical tourism facilitator and travel concierge in South Korea. We coordinate clinic appointments, provide consultation communication support, and arrange practical travel logistics. We do not provide medical treatment or diagnostic advice; all clinical evaluations and surgical decisions are made directly by your treating doctor during an in-person consultation.

No. Only a licensed doctor can decide which treatment is appropriate, following a clinical assessment. Our role is non-medical: with your permission, we organise your medical history and photos for a doctor's review, arrange consultations, and help you communicate with clinic staff. Clinical recommendations and explanations remain the doctor's responsibility.

Stay duration depends on your individual treatment plan and required follow-up care. As a general planning guide, non-incisional aesthetic or skin treatments may require 2–4 days, while surgical procedures such as rhinoplasty, facial contouring, or body lifting may require 7–14 days or longer for dressing changes, suture removal, and assessment before flying. These ranges are not a personal recovery estimate. The clinic confirms your schedule after consultation, and your coordinator can help align your travel dates with it. Please check with your doctor before flying home.

You may be asked to show proof of onward or return travel by your airline or Korean immigration authorities. Check the requirements for your nationality and entry status before travelling. Because recovery timelines can change, consider flexible or changeable tickets and check with your doctor before flying home.

Yes. Many patients travel alone. Your coordinator can accompany you to hospital appointments, help you communicate with medical and nursing staff, and help relay pharmacy instructions. Airport transfers and recovery-friendly accommodation can be arranged upon request. Ask your clinic whether your procedure requires an accompanying adult or additional care after discharge.

Before confirming your procedure, ask your clinic to identify your operating surgeon in writing and explain who will be involved in your care. Korean operating-room CCTV requirements apply to certain surgeries where patients are unconscious; recording requests are subject to legal conditions and exceptions. Ask your clinic which CCTV rules apply to your procedure and how to request a recording.

If you notice unusual swelling, severe pain, or fever while in Korea, contact your clinic promptly and let your coordinator know. Call 119 in an acute emergency rather than waiting for a coordinator's reply. We can help contact your surgical team and request an urgent evaluation; clinical assessment and care are provided by medical professionals. For formal patient-rights or mediation enquiries, contact the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency (K-MEDI) to check eligibility and available support.

Not necessarily. Many established Korean surgeons rely mainly on domestic reputation and word-of-mouth rather than heavy digital marketing. South Korea's Personal Information Protection Act also restricts how patient images can be used online. Larger commercial clinics may have bigger marketing budgets for public photo releases, while smaller specialty clinics may keep minimal online galleries. A limited website gallery usually reflects a clinic's marketing and privacy policies rather than surgical skill or patient volume.

We understand you may want to see results on facial anatomy, skin tones, or bone structures similar to your own. Public galleries at Korean clinics usually show only the patients who agreed to be photographed, and many international patients keep their procedures private, so a gallery may not represent every ethnicity or body type even though partner clinics also see international patients. During your private consultation, you can ask your surgeon whether consented case examples relevant to your anatomy can be shown.

To protect patient privacy and follow Korean law. Under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), health information and identifiable photos are sensitive and may only be used with a patient's clear, separate consent, which they can withdraw at any time. The Medical Service Act also restricts medical advertising, including before-and-after photos that could mislead or promise results. If you would like to see example results, ask your coordinator; the clinic may be able to show consented cases privately during your consultation. Results differ from person to person, and any patient's experience is not a guarantee.

Some partner clinics show case examples on their official websites; others do not publish them because of regulatory or privacy standards. If public photos are not available, your coordinator can ask the clinic's international department whether anonymised, consented case examples for your procedure can be shared for preliminary review. Availability depends on patient consent and each hospital's policy. Fuller case portfolios, where available, are usually shown by the surgeon during your in-person consultation in Seoul.

Many travellers enter South Korea under visa-waiver arrangements, with a K-ETA where required; others need a visa. Depending on your circumstances and treatment duration, a medical visa such as C-3-3 (short-term medical treatment) or G-1-10 (longer treatment or recovery) may be appropriate. We can help coordinate hospital confirmation documents and invitation paperwork for your application. Requirements and approval are determined by Korean authorities; check official guidance or your Korean embassy before booking.

Yes. Upon request, we can recommend accommodation near your clinic or hospital, taking into account your comfort preferences, elevator accessibility needs, and budget. Ask your clinic about any specific post-treatment accommodation needs. Accommodation costs are billed directly by the property or agreed upon in advance.

Partner clinic and hospital appointments are generally arranged in the greater Seoul metropolitan area, including Gangnam, Seocho, and central Seoul. The location depends on the clinic and specialty involved. The exact address, directions, and transit guidance are provided with your consultation confirmation.

Yes. Private airport transfers and chauffeured transport to your clinical visits can be coordinated upon request. All non-medical concierge and transport fees are clearly itemised before booking.

Most people spend recovery days resting at their hotel, attending follow-up appointments, and taking short, gentle outings. Plan a slower pace than a normal holiday and keep your clinic appointments as the priority. What is suitable depends on your procedure, so follow the activity instructions your clinic gives you and ask them if you are unsure.

Often, yes, once your clinic says it is okay. Calm options include cafés, museums, shopping malls, palaces, and riverside parks, ideally close to your hotel. Avoid crowds, heat, saunas and jjimjilbang, swimming, and long days on your feet until your doctor approves them. Bring any prescribed medicines and your clinic's contact details whenever you go out.

Light walking is commonly encouraged after many treatments because it supports circulation, but the right amount differs for each person and procedure. Start with short, flat walks and rest when you feel tired. Avoid hiking, steep stairs, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise until your doctor says you can resume them.

Many visitors choose soft, mild foods that are widely available in Korea, such as jook (rice porridge, including jeonbok-juk with abalone), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), seolleongtang (mild beef-bone broth), steamed egg (gyeran-jjim), tofu, and soft fruit. Drink plenty of water. Spicy, very salty, or hard foods and alcohol are often best avoided early on. Always follow your clinic's specific dietary instructions, especially after facial, dental, or mouth procedures.

Medical fees are set, quoted, and billed directly by licensed Korean clinics and hospitals. With your permission, we forward your goals, medical background, and relevant photos to the specialist department for review and a written quotation. The clinic confirms the treatment plan and final fees following its assessment.

Medical and surgical care is tailored to each patient's anatomy, previous surgical history, and clinical complexity. Clinics provide individual quotations following case review rather than generalised online prices.

Medical costs are set and collected directly by the treating hospital or clinic. Our facilitation services do not add hidden surcharges to your hospital bill. You receive an itemised quotation, medical invoice, and official clinic receipt directly from the facility. Any separate concierge or transport fees are explained before booking.

Payment is settled directly with the clinic's cashier according to its payment schedule, often on the day of consultation or treatment. Accepted methods may include Visa or Mastercard credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and cash in Korean won (KRW). Contactless options such as Apple Pay depend on the clinic's terminal, so confirm accepted methods in advance and bring a physical card or backup method. The clinic issues an official receipt. Costs for extra services are agreed with you in advance.

Direct coordinator enquiries are available in English, Chinese, and Korean during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM KST). Booked team consultations are available in English or Chinese.

Our coordination desk is active Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Korea Standard Time (KST). Messages submitted outside operating hours or over weekends are prioritised on the next business morning. We are a coordination and facilitation service rather than a hospital, clinic, or emergency room, so we cannot provide urgent medical care or take clinical calls.

Call 119 immediately for emergency paramedic and ambulance assistance, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. We are a coordination service, not a hospital or emergency room, so we cannot arrange urgent medical care ourselves. When you are able, let your clinic and your All Life One Global coordinator know — we can help with translation and communication with the receiving hospital, but please always contact emergency services or a hospital first.