Korean Job Discussion Forums

[megone]

Is a test for hepatitis C currently part of the medical exam to work in South Korea? If so, will a person with hep C be denied a work visa?

[Riker]

[megone]

Thanks for your reply. Haven't been treated yet, so can't claim to be cured. Really just need to find out for sure if getting a work permit is a definite 'yeh' or 'nay'.

[earthquakez]

You've got it back to front here. To get a visa you first have to send your recruiter or school that's hiring directly some documents including a self health check that has to be submitted along with your other documents.

When you get the visa number and have sent it to the K embassy/consulate and they issue the visa then you go to Korea. You must get blood tests including an HIV one within 60 days of being in Korea in order to get a residency card (or maybe it's now 30). That's the so called medical test.

In actual fact Korean Immigration only requires an HIV and drugs test as the minumum to get that residency card. We're told it's a medical but I've know people who have only fulfilled the minimum requirements to show they are not drug takers nor do they have HIV or other conditions found in the blood test. The self health check mentions certain illnesses and you have to check whether or not you have or have had them. When you have the blood tests they can and will check for those other illnesses.

If you write about Hep C on your self health check I am sure you will be denied a visa. You can omit that and then say you didn't know you had it because there are foreigners who had no idea they were sick in any way and found out through the blood tests here.

[megone]

Thanks earthquakez. I took a look at the health form that I'd need to apply here (US) for the visa, and it does ask about "infectious" or "serious" disease. I'll call the embassy here and see what they say.

[earthquakez]

[Riker]

I suspected too that they would not issue a visa if you have Hep C. I hope that I am wrong.

If this is the case, I am truly very sorry. Hep C is usually a very treatable disease and you can't catch it from ordinary contact. Good luck with your visa.

[megone]

I've likely had it for 20+ years--just found out a couple of years ago. It has not harmed my liver (all other tests are perfectly normal), and there's no rush to treat it. My doc gave me a letter stating this. It will, however, show up on tests for Hep C, but the liver functions will all show as normal.

[megone]

Thanks Riker. I, too, am truly sorry. So not fair (got it in a blood transfusion) for someone who wants to spend their life living broad.

[Riker]

I know life can be tuff sometimes, believe me I know.

Look at the upside. You have some amazing genetics, thats an amazing gift right there !

Some people are virtually immune to various diseases, and it looks like your one of them. That's a blessing for sure.

[megone]

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

[Xylox]

If you mention that you have Hep C to anyone, recruiters / employers etc you will be denied instantly.

If you don't mention it and play dumb, you might get caught and you might not. Its a gamble. Its gonna be pretty hard to get a straight answer, I doubt even the Koreans know wtf they are looking for in those medical tests.

[megone]

Yeah, that's what makes it so difficult--that even within a country, the policy may or may not be consistent.