Double Eyelid Surgery in Korea: 2026 Cost in Seoul and What U.S. Patients Should Know
Double eyelid and other eyelid surgery costs about $800 to $6,600 at the six Seoul clinics we work with. In the U.S., the surgeon's fee alone for upper eyelid surgery averages $3,359. Below: each clinic's price and ratings, incision vs suture methods, recovery and your trip budget.
Flights and extra hotel nights are not included in either price. Final quotes depend on your case.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) clinics in South Korea: prices and independent ratings
Prices are each clinic's own quoted range in USD, as of October 2026. Ratings come from independent review platforms and link to the source.
| Clinic | Price | Independent ratings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAERO Plastic Surgery Seoul | $821 - $1,973 | ||
| JK Plastic Surgery Seoul · ISO 9001, KAHF | $1,380 - $3,150 | ||
| VG Plastic Surgery Seoul | $1,700 - $6,600 | ||
| Lienjang Seoul | From $3,000 | ||
| ID Plastic Surgery Seoul | From $3,500 | ||
| INIQUÉ Plastic Surgery Clinic Seoul | From $3,850 |
How clinics get listed: our methodology. Clinics do not pay for position on this page.
Total trip budget from the U.S.
Surgery at our partner clinics plus a round-trip economy flight. Hotel nights included in the clinic package are covered; extra nights, meals and travel insurance are not.
| Flying from | Surgery | Round-trip flight | Total | U.S. surgeon fee alone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York nonstop ≈ 15h 40m | $821 - $6,600 | $1,043 – $1,620 | $1,864 – $8,220 | From $3,359 |
| Los Angeles nonstop ≈ 13h 20m | $821 - $6,600 | $896 – $1,305 | $1,717 – $7,905 | From $3,359 |
Flights: Kayak, typical round-trip economy fares to Seoul Incheon over the past 12 months, checked October 1, 2026 · source. Home prices: American Society of Plastic Surgeons — surgeon fee only, excludes anesthesia and facility — upper eyelids.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in South Korea: pros and cons for U.S. patients
- Prices from about $800, below the U.S. surgeon's fee alone.
- Very high volume of double eyelid surgery in Seoul.
- A short stay: about a week.
- CCTV law: you can ask for your surgery to be recorded.
- State Department Level 1, the lowest advisory level.
- A 13–16 hour flight home.
- Some cosmetic clinics are run by doctors who are not plastic surgeons.
- Follow-up care happens at home, and complications may not be covered by U.S. insurance (CDC).
How much does double eyelid surgery in Korea cost?
The six Seoul clinics we work with quote between $821 and $6,600 for eyelid surgery. In the U.S., the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports an average surgeon's fee of $3,359 for upper eyelid surgery, before anesthesia and facility fees. The lowest Korean prices are usually for a simple suture method; combined procedures cost more.
Incision, suture and add-on procedures
- Non-incisional (suture) method: the crease is created with small stitches through tiny openings. Recovery is faster, but the crease can loosen over time, especially with thicker eyelids.
- Incisional method: a cut along the new crease allows the surgeon to remove skin and fat. The crease is more permanent, recovery takes longer.
- Epicanthoplasty opens the inner corner of the eye, and ptosis correction lifts a drooping lid; both are often combined with double eyelid surgery.
Korean surgeons perform a very high volume of double eyelid surgery. Ask to see before-and-after photos of eyes similar to yours, and how natural or pronounced a crease the surgeon recommends.
Recovery and how long to stay
Plan on about a week in Seoul. Stitches usually come out after five to seven days. Swelling goes down over the first weeks, and the crease settles over a few months. In the first days, expect dry or watery eyes; cold compresses and sleeping with your head elevated help.
Protect yourself in Korea
Since September 25, 2023, Korean clinics that operate on unconscious patients must have cameras in the operating room, and you can ask for your surgery to be recorded; a clinic may refuse only for narrow reasons, in writing, and footage is kept for at least 30 days. Check that your surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; in Korea, cosmetic procedures are also offered by doctors from other specialties. Confirm in writing who will operate.
Getting there
U.S. passport holders need no visa for short visits and no K-ETA through December 31, 2026; an electronic arrival card is required. Nonstop flights take about 13 hours from Los Angeles and over 15 from New York. The State Department rates South Korea Level 1, “Exercise Normal Precautions”.
Insurance
Cosmetic surgery is not covered by U.S. health insurance, and the IRS does not treat it as a medical expense (IRS Publication 502). The CDC warns that treating complications after surgery abroad can be expensive and may not be covered by your U.S. plan.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) doctors in South Korea
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) before & after: surgeons in South Korea
Results from surgeons we work with. Individual results vary; ask your surgeon for results in patients similar to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is double eyelid surgery in Korea?
At the six Seoul clinics we list, about $800 to $6,600, depending on the method and added procedures. In the U.S., the surgeon's fee alone for upper eyelid surgery averages $3,359 (ASPS).
Which is better, suture or incision double eyelid surgery?
The suture method heals faster but can loosen over time; the incisional method is more permanent and allows removal of skin and fat. The surgeon will recommend one based on your eyelids.
How long should I stay in Korea after double eyelid surgery?
About a week; stitches usually come out after five to seven days.
Is double eyelid surgery in Korea safe?
It can be, with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Ask for your surgery to be recorded under Korea's CCTV law and confirm who will operate. The State Department rates South Korea Level 1.
Do Americans need a visa for Korea?
No visa for short visits, and no K-ETA through December 31, 2026; an electronic arrival card is required.
Getting to South Korea from the U.S.
Visa. U.S. passport holders do not need a K-ETA through 31 December 2026; an electronic Arrival Card is required instead. From 1 January 2027 the K-ETA requirement returns, so check the official portal before you book.Official source.
Flights and time zone. Nonstop service to Seoul from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, New York and Washington. West-coast flights run about 13 hours, east-coast about 14 to 15.
U.S. State Department advisory. Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions. The advisory notes that large demonstrations can occur with little notice.Read the advisory.
Before you travel: what the CDC recommends
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes guidance for Americans travelling abroad for medical care. These are its recommendations, not ours.
- Check the qualifications of the clinician who will perform the procedure and the credentials of the facility.
- Bring copies of your medical records, including lab and other test results related to your condition.
- Make sure you can get follow-up care in the United States. Care for complications can be expensive and might not be covered by your health insurance.
- Obtain international travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation back to the United States.
- See your own healthcare provider 4–6 weeks before the trip to discuss risks specific to your health.
Sources
- Eyelid surgery cost — American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Installation of closed-circuit televisions in operating rooms — PMC
- Typical fares New York – Seoul — Kayak
- Typical fares Los Angeles – Seoul — Kayak
- South Korea Travel Advisory — U.S. Department of State
- Medical Tourism — CDC Travelers’ Health
- Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses — IRS
More cost guides for U.S. patients
What research shows about eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
14 peer-reviewed sourcesBlepharoplasty, surgery to remove or reposition excess skin, muscle, and fat of the upper or lower eyelids, is supported by systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and prospective outcome studies addressing both functional and aesthetic goals. For upper eyelids, the evidence documents improvements in superior visual field and quality of life when redundant skin (dermatochalasis) obstructs vision, alongside high aesthetic satisfaction. For lower eyelids, reviews compare transconjunctival and transcutaneous approaches and characterize complication profiles, including the uncommon but important risk of lid malposition. Additional studies examine adjuncts such as tranexamic acid for reducing bleeding and swelling, and patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes. The references below span functional and aesthetic outcomes, surgical-technique comparisons, complication safety reviews, and validated quality-of-life data to support informed decision-making.
- Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes After Upper Blepharoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes for Upper Blepharoplasty and Blepharoptosis Surgery
- Safety and Complications in Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: A Systematic Review
- Long-Term Results with the Extended Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
- Transconjunctival or Transcutaneous Approach for Fat-preserving Lower Lid Blepharoplasty
Compiled from peer-reviewed medical literature indexed on PubMed. This overview is for general education and is not medical advice. · Last updated 2026-06-15