Foreign patients seeking a kidney transplant in South Korea must provide documented evidence of end-stage renal disease, typically an eGFR below 20 or active dialysis. Acceptance requires a legal living donor with a proven relationship, comprehensive medical clearance, and a specialized long-term medical visa (D-10).
- Medical eligibility: Clinical documentation must prove advanced chronic kidney disease or current dialysis dependence.
- Donor requirements: Korean centers require a proven biological or legal relationship for living donors.
- Diagnostic testing: HLA typing and crossmatching must be performed at Korean facilities like Severance Hospital.
- Financial proof: Patients must show funds covering surgery and 3–6 months of post-operative care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Timing is the most overlooked factor in South Korea. While many countries accept older records, Seoul’s top-tier hospitals like Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) often reject home-country tests older than 6 months. Patients should synchronize their local bloodwork and cardiac screenings immediately before travel to avoid expensive, redundant testing upon arrival in Korea.
Patient Consensus: Many patients emphasize that the medical visa process takes 4–6 weeks. Most survivors recommend staying in Korea for 8 weeks post-surgery to ensure stable recovery and proper medication adjustment.