National Health Insurance
Foreigners staying in Korea for 6 months or more must join the National Health Insurance (NHIS). If employed, you’re enrolled automatically through your workplace; otherwise you’re enrolled as a local subscriber and pay a monthly premium. It greatly cuts hospital costs. Unpaid premiums limit your coverage at clinics, and arrears can count against you in visa-extension reviews.
What to bring
- ARC
- (Workplace subscriber) employer files your enrollment
- (Local subscriber) documents on your residence/household
- A bank account for premium auto-transfer
- At hospitals: health insurance card or ARC/ID
Step by step
- 1Employees: enrolled automatically by the employer — no separate application
- 2Local subscribers: NHIS grants eligibility once the 6-month rule is met (you’ll get a bill)
- 3Confirm your status/premium with NHIS ☎1577-1000
- 4Pay each monthly premium on time (auto-transfer recommended)
Tips
- ⚠️ If you fall behind, coverage is restricted (you pay full cost), and arrears can affect visa-extension reviews.
- When you leave a job, you switch to a local subscriber and pay yourself — auto-transfer keeps you safe.
- Check premiums, household, and auto-pay with NHIS ☎1577-1000 (foreign-language support).
- Exact premium amounts and formulas change yearly — verify at the official source.
Key contacts
- NHIS ☎1577-1000 (foreign-language support)
- Immigration Contact Center ☎1345 (multilingual)
Related guides
This is general guidance and may change over time. Always verify the latest details with the official source before applying.
Last updated: 2026-06-09