Can foreigners join national health insurance?
Yes, and it is mandatory. Foreigners who stay in Korea for over six months must join, and employees are enrolled through their workplace. CHECKED 02 NOV 2026 Required Source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), English guidance for foreigners Open the official source ↗ Checked Nov 2, 2026 Re-check due Jan 31, 2027 Sources: National Health Insurance Service Who has to join Employee at an insured workplace Required You are enrolled through your employer. You can apply to be excluded if you can prove equivalent medical coverage under foreign rules, a foreign insurance policy or a contract with your employer. Foreigner living in Korea for over six months Required Subscription is mandatory from July 16, 2019 for foreigners registered with immigration who hold one of the visa types NHIS lists. Dependent of an insured person Depends Dependents can be covered if their income and property are under the limits set by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. We did not check the limits. Visa ty...