National health insurance

Eligibility and procedure for enrolling in health insurance

• Foreign students who meet all of the following qualifications can become local health insurance subscribers by applying for local subscriber qualification to the National Health Insurance Corporation:
  • Foreign students or overseas Korean nationals must not be enrolled in the program as an employee subscriber.
  • Foreign students must have lived in the country for more than 6 months, or they are expected to continue to reside in the country for reasons such as acquisition of permanent resident status, acquisition of non-professional employment (E-9) status, marriage, study abroad, general training, etc.
  • A person who has registered as an alien in accordance with Article 31 of the Immigration Control Act and who is eligible for residence in accordance with Annex Table 9 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Health Insurance Act.
• Foreign students are automatically enrolled in National Health Insurance without having to report to the National Health Insurance Corporation.
  • A foreigner who first enters the country with a residence status of study abroad (D-2) or elementary, middle, or high school student (D-4-3) is registered on the date of alien registration.
  • A foreigner who re-enters the country after registering as an alien with residence status of study abroad (D-2) or elementary/middle/high school student (D-4-3) is registered on the re-entry date.
  • A foreigner entering the country with a general training (D-4) residence status other than elementary/middle/high school student (D-4-3) will be enrolled 6 months from the date of entry.
• Foreign students are automatically enrolled in National Health Insurance without having to report to the National Health Insurance Corporation.
  • A foreigner who first enters the country with a residence status of study abroad (D-2) or elementary/middle/high school student (D-4-3) is registered on the date of alien registration.
  • A foreigner who re-enters the country after registering as an alien with residence status of study abroad (D-2) or elementary/middle/high school student (D-4-3) is registered on the re-entry date.
  • A foreigner entering the country with a general training (D-4) residence status other than elementary/middle/high school student (D-4-3) will be enrolled 6 months from the date of entry.
• In some cases, you may need to submit the documents below in order to enroll in national health insurance.
  • Documents that serve as proof of family relations or marriage/divorce (applies only to household members)
  • The following documents confirming the level of income and assets:
    • Proof of income amount, confirmation of pension payment details
    • Lease/monthly rent contract, building ledger, land ledger
    • Car registration certificate
    • Certificate of business closure, certificate of business suspension
    • Document certifying the fact of dismissal (retirement) issued by the income payment agency
    • Certificate of vehicle disposal
  • Copy of alien registration card or certificate of foreign resident registration
  • Copy of letter of admission or certificate of enrollment

※ Source: Ministry of Government Legislation Easy-to-find living law information [Health insurance subscription] 100 questions and 100 answers