Overview
All international students including full-time and exchange students staying in Korea are subject to a mandatory subscription to Korea National Health Insurance(NHI) from March 1, 2021.
How to apply
- Students with D-2 visas must subscribe to National Health Insurance (NHI) as it's mandatory.
- NHI subscription starts automatically from the date of completing foreign registration, which can take up to 1 month.
- It's recommended for students to consider travel insurance or Korean private insurance to cover medical costs until NHI coverage begins.
Contribution
- Contribution calculation:
- Foreigners contribute based on Contribution score multiplied by Value per score (KRW).
- Method mirrors that of local residents.
- Insurance fee determination:
- If calculated fee is lower than average, average fee applies.
- Applies to foreigners permanently residing in the country.
- Visa types and reductions:
- Permanent residence (F-5) and marriage immigrants (F-6) are included.
- Reductions apply to D-6 (religion), G-1-6 (humanitarian), and G-1-12 (dependents of G-1-6) visas by 30%.
- Specific reductions for F-4, Korean National students, D-2, D-4 visa holders.
| Duration |
2021.3. ~ 2022.2.. |
2022.3. ~ 2023.2. |
2023.3. ~ |
| Reduction Rate |
70% |
60% |
50% |
- Persons living on identified islands or remote areas receive a 50% reduction in contribution rate.
- Residents of farming or fishing villages are eligible for a 22% contribution rate reduction.
- Farmers and fishermen in designated villages receive a 28% reduction in contribution rates.
- Minors-only households are exempt from the reduction policy.
- Certain visa holders can receive adjusted contribution rate discounts.
- Families wishing to pay contributions together must provide proof of family relations.