KOREA: New National Health Insurance Requirement

August 27, 2019


Effective immediately, foreign nationals who have been resident in Korea for more than six months will be automatically subscribed to Korean national health insurance (NHI) without notice, even if they already have private health insurance.

 Visa or residence card extension applications will be denied if any national insurance contributions are unpaid.

Our Advice

Employers should contact the regional health insurance office to check the NHI status of their foreign national employees.

Employers can apply for their employees’ NHI registration to be waived by submitting documentary evidence that they have their own private health insurance package and that they haven’t benefited from Korean NHI.

Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.
For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to Korea, please email us at [email protected]