Eyelid surgery in South Korea typically costs between $1,500 and $6,700, depending on the procedure. That’s roughly 30 to 60 percent less than the same operations in the United States, which is a major reason Seoul has become one of the world’s top destinations for cosmetic eye procedures.
Cost by Procedure Type
The price you’ll pay depends largely on which technique your surgeon uses and whether you’re addressing the upper lids, lower lids, or both.
For double eyelid surgery (the most common procedure among medical tourists visiting Korea), the non-incisional “suture” method runs $1,500 to $2,500. This approach works best if you have thin eyelids with minimal fat, and it comes with a quicker recovery. The incisional method, which involves removing excess skin or fat, costs $2,000 to $3,500 and is better suited for thicker or puffier eyelids.
Lower eyelid surgery starts around $1,830 for a basic lower blepharoplasty. A more comprehensive package that includes fat repositioning (where the surgeon moves fat pads beneath the eyes to smooth out hollows and bags) runs closer to $3,850. The average across Seoul clinics for a standard blepharoplasty sits at about $3,273.
Ptosis Correction Adds Significant Cost
If your upper eyelids droop to the point where they partially cover your pupil, you may need ptosis correction, which tightens the muscle that lifts the lid. This is commonly combined with double eyelid surgery in Korea for a more balanced result, but it raises the total price considerably.
On its own, non-incisional ptosis correction costs roughly $2,100 to $3,600, while the incisional version ranges from $3,200 to $5,800 depending on severity. When bundled with double eyelid surgery, the combined price typically falls between $3,700 and $6,600. The final number depends on how much muscle repair is needed and the complexity of your case.
How Korea Compares to the US and UK
The savings become clear when you stack Korean prices against Western alternatives. In the United States, upper eyelid surgery alone costs $3,000 to $6,000. Lower eyelid surgery runs $6,000 to $9,500. If you want both upper and lower lids done, expect $6,000 to $12,000. In the UK, double eyelid surgery ranges from $5,000 to $12,000.
Korea’s overall range of $2,500 to $6,700 covers procedures that would cost two to three times more in many Western countries. That price gap exists despite Korean surgeons performing some of the highest volumes of eyelid procedures in the world, which means you’re not trading quality for savings. Seoul’s Gangnam district alone has one of the densest concentrations of plastic surgery clinics on the planet.
Consultation Fees and Hidden Costs
Most Seoul clinics charge around $20 for a consultation, and many will deduct that from your surgery cost if you book. The surgical price you’re quoted generally covers the procedure itself, anesthesia, and basic follow-up visits including stitch removal.
What the quote won’t include: your flights, accommodation for the recovery period, meals, and any prescription medications or aftercare products. Many clinics cater to international patients and offer package deals that bundle translation services with the surgery fee, but always confirm exactly what’s included before committing. Budget an additional $1,000 to $2,000 for travel and accommodation, depending on your home country and how long you stay.
The VAT Refund Is Ending
Since 2016, South Korea offered foreign patients a 10 percent VAT refund on cosmetic procedures including double eyelid surgery. This was a meaningful discount, essentially knocking a few hundred dollars off most eyelid procedures. Refund counters were set up at Incheon Airport in both Terminal 1 (near Gate 28) and Terminal 2 (3rd floor near D and E check-in counters), with 24-hour unmanned kiosks also available.
However, the Korean government announced that this tax break will end on December 31. The Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons has pushed back against the decision, noting the refund was a significant draw for price-conscious medical tourists. If you’re planning a trip, this is worth factoring into your timeline.
How Long You’ll Need to Stay
Plan for 7 to 10 days in Seoul for eyelid surgery. Most clinics schedule stitch removal around day 7, and you’ll want a day or two after that before flying. Swelling and bruising peak around days 2 to 3, then gradually improve. Most people feel comfortable going out in public (with sunglasses) within a week, though full swelling resolution takes several weeks after you return home.
If you’re combining procedures, like upper and lower lids together or adding ptosis correction, the recovery timeline stays roughly the same since everything heals simultaneously. But more extensive work typically means more swelling, so you may want to book closer to 10 days rather than 7. Some patients schedule their consultation a day or two before surgery, which adds to the total trip length but gives you time to meet the surgeon in person before committing.