- Foreign tourists are flocking to Korean cosmetic clinics before the VAT refund program for cosmetic procedures ends at the end of the year.
- Clinics are experiencing a surge in foreign patients, with many making advance payments and moving up their trips to benefit from the tax refund.
- The government decided to end the VAT refund program after medical tourism far exceeded initial targets, with 1.17 million foreign patients last year.
- Most foreign patients visit dermatology clinics, with Japanese, Chinese, and Americans making up the largest groups.
- Demand for cosmetic procedures and related consultations has sharply increased in the months leading up to the program’s expiration.
Source: koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.
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