This is an update about the National Health Insurance Service (NHIC).

Recently there have been some international residents in Korea who have experienced delay or confusion in the extension of their Residence Card linked to their lack of payment of NHIC insurance premiums. Therefore we wanted to provide an update to all students. 

Eligibility

All residents of Korea on a long-term pass, including D-2-2 (ungergraduate student), D-2-3 (masters students), D-2-4 (doctoral students), must pay contributions towards the NHIC. D-4-1 (Korean language training students) must start paying six months after entry. This has been the policy since 2019 and applies fairly to all citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders. 

Once a new student receives their Residence Card, they should receive an invoice from the NHIC to their official address. A returning student (e.g., returning from Leave of Absence) must start paying from their re-entry date. If an invoice is not received, a student should contact the NHIC (see contact details below) so an invoice can be issued. 

Payment Amount

The Monthly Insurance Fee for 2022 was approximately 56,000 KRW. The actual contribution was 140,070 KRW. However, the Korean Government decided to allow international students to receive the insurance benefits with a 60% discounted fee from March 2022 until February 2023. For updated information, see your invoice from NHIS.

*If you received income and paid income tax, your insurance fee may be different than the reduced fee. The insurance fee may differ for each student.

Fee Due Date & Payment Method

The fee for the next month is due by the 25th of the current month (prepayment). For example the April 2023 fee is payable by March 25, 2023 (billed around the 10th of each month).

Payment Methods can include automatic transfer (from your bank account or credit card), website, NHIS branch office, bank.

Benefits

Korean health insurance covers the whole population living in the country. Insurance benefits are medical services provided for the insured in the case of injuries, childbirth, health promotions, rehabilitations, or preventions of diseases. NHIS gives service benefits or cash benefits. The Korean health insurance service imposes insurance contributions differently on the insured depend on his/her level of wealth, but it provides insurance benefits equally to all the insured.

NHIC provides a free medical check up every one to two years and other benfits. Many kinds of treatment are covered by co-payment up to 60% for medical treatments in Korea. There are some exemptions, for example cosmetic surgery or for a disease that does not affect the daily life. For more information, visit the NHIC website here. 

Penalty for Non-Payment

Failure to pay may result in penalties and non-renewal of Residence Card, so it is important that all long-term residents, including students, pay.

Contact Information

The NHIC have a helpline in a variety of languages. Their Call Center can be reached at 033-811-2000 (or 82-33-811-2001 from overseas). Alternatively, you can visit one of their offices for foreign residents in Seoul, Ansan, Suwon and Incheon. You can get more information here. Or visit their office in Daejeon. The location can be found here. 

If you have any questions, contact the International Student Support Team (W3 103).