Applying for Refugee Status and Worried About Living Costs? 💸

🧭 What was posted in this notice?

On October 27, 2026, a detailed guide to the living cost support system for refugee applicants was posted on HiKorea. This time it's the Russian, Arabic, and Hindi versions. The Korean and English versions were posted earlier, separately.

This isn't news about a brand-new system. The point is that a detailed guide in your own language is now available. Check the attached guide for the exact amounts and criteria 📄

🙋

Refugee applicant

Where can I see the guide?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

Open the notice in the HiKorea announcements and you'll find it as an attached file. The Russian, Arabic, and Hindi versions are in one notice, and the Korean and English versions are in another.

🙋 Who applies, and where?

If a refugee applicant wants support such as living costs, they submit an application for support to the head of the regional immigration office (출입국·외국인관서) that has jurisdiction over their place of stay, or to the head of the regional immigration office where they applied for refugee status.

Under Article 40 of the Refugee Act (난민법), the Minister of Justice may support refugee applicants with living costs and more, as set by Presidential Decree. In other words, you don't automatically get it just by applying. There is a review 💡

🙋

Refugee applicant

Can I receive it right after applying?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

No. Once you submit the application, whether you get support is decided after a review. For details on the review criteria, check the original text or 1345.

📄 What documents do I need to prepare?

The basic documents are these: the application for living cost support (Refugee Act Enforcement Rule Form No. 22), a confirmation form (a form confirming you've been notified of your treatment), your passport or Alien Registration Card (if you don't have one, the receipt for your refugee status application), and a bank account book in your own name. For minors, it's a bank account book in the legal guardian's name.

Proof of your place of stay is needed only when necessary, for example when the documents you already submitted can't be verified. You can also submit supporting materials showing you need support, such as a medical certificate or a family relationship certificate ✅

🙋

Refugee applicant

Does the bank account have to be in my own name?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

Yes, you need a bank account book in your own name. If you're a minor, you must submit one in your legal guardian's name.

⏳ How long can I receive it?

After review, you can receive living costs and other support for a period not exceeding 6 months. The specific amount isn't in the materials I have, so I can't tell you.

Be sure to check the amount and payment method in the guide or at the immigration office 🙂

🙋

Refugee applicant

How much is the living cost support?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

The materials I checked don't state the amount. Check the original text or 1345 for the detailed criteria.

🏠 There's other support besides living costs

Refugee applicants can receive housing support at a refugee support facility for up to 6 months. If it's recognized as absolutely necessary, considering things like health condition or dependents, it can be extended for up to 3 months. Use of the facility may be restricted if there's concern that you might harm its safety or order.

You can also get support for the health checkup costs needed for your refugee status application, and if you can't get benefits from any other medical coverage, you can get support for hospitalization and surgery costs. If you or your child is under 19, you can also receive elementary and secondary education just like Korean citizens 😮

🙋

Refugee applicant

Can't I work to earn living expenses?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

If no decision has been made 6 months after you applied for refugee status, you can choose a workplace within your period of stay and get permission for activities outside your status of sojourn (체류자격외활동허가) to work. If your workplace changes, you must get permission in advance.

⚠️ Treatment is limited in these cases

Treatment may be limited for certain refugee applicants. This applies to people with an administrative appeal or administrative lawsuit in progress against a refugee non-recognition decision, and people who applied again after not being recognized as a refugee without any major change in circumstances.

The basis for what treatment is limited and how is in Article 44 of the Act and Article 21 of the Enforcement Decree. If you're unsure whether this applies to you, check with the immigration office that has jurisdiction or 1345.

🙋

Refugee applicant

If I apply again, can't I get living cost support?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

If you're reapplying, you may count as a certain refugee applicant, and your treatment may be limited. For exactly what is limited, check the original text or 1345.

✅ What to do now, step by step

1. 1Download and read the guide in your language from the HiKorea notice.
2. 2Prepare the application for support for the immigration office that has jurisdiction over your place of stay, or where you applied for refugee status.
3. 3Get your passport or Alien Registration Card (or the receipt if you don't have one) and your bank account book in your own name ready.
4. 4If you have supporting materials like a medical certificate or family relationship certificate, bring them along too.
5. 5If you have questions, contact the 1345 Foreigner Information Center (외국인종합안내센터).