Tuberculosis screening requirements
If the chest X-ray shows an abnormality, further tests follow, and treatment if needed.
Why it is required
TB is an airborne infectious disease. Screening may be required in visa or residence procedures for nationals of countries with high TB incidence. The list of countries and the procedure change, so check with 1345 and immigration.
The process
- Confirm with 1345 or immigration whether you are covered and where to be screened.
- Have a chest X-ray at a designated hospital or public health centre.
- If there are abnormal findings, further tests such as sputum testing follow.
- If TB is diagnosed, treatment begins and the procedure is explained as treatment progresses.
- Obtain the screening certificate and submit it.
If you are diagnosed with TB
- It is a curable disease. Don't panic. See tb-treatment.
- Treatment is supported under the national TB control programme. Ask your public health centre.
- Stopping the medication on your own breeds resistance and makes treatment far harder. Complete the course.
- For residence matters during treatment, check with 1345.
Where to go
- 1345 Immigration Contact Centre
- 1339 Korea Disease Control Agency
- Your local public health centre (screening and treatment)
- The designated hospital
- HiKorea www.hikorea.go.kr
Questions people ask
Will I be deported if screening finds TB? The principle is that you receive treatment. A diagnosis alone does not mean that. Confirm the specifics with 1345.
I can't afford treatment. TB is a nationally managed disease with support schemes. Ask your public health centre.
Does my family need testing? Contact tracing may be carried out. Follow the health centre's guidance.
Can I keep working? It depends on whether you are infectious. Follow medical advice and explain the situation to your employer with a medical certificate. See sick-note-work.
Take care
If a cough lasts more than two weeks, get tested for TB — regardless of any screening requirement, it matters for your own health. Hiding treatment and stopping the medication is the most dangerous course. Drug-resistant TB takes far longer to treat.
Related
tb-treatment · health-check-visa · stay-extension-documents · covid-guidance · free-clinics
Source
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency www.kdca.go.kr / As of 2026-08