Applying for Refugee Status and Worried About Living Costs? 🏠

🧭 What is this notice about?

A guide explaining the living expense support system for refugee applicants in detail has been posted on HiKorea. There are Korean and English versions, as well as Russian, Arabic and Hindi versions.

The notice does not say that the system is new or that any amounts have changed. The details are in the attached guide, so give it a read before you apply. 📄

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Refugee applicant

Did this notice change the system?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

The notice does not mention any changes to the system. It simply says a detailed guide has been posted and you should refer to it when applying. For specific criteria, check the attached guide or call 1345.

👤 Who can apply?

Article 40 of the Refugee Act says the Minister of Justice may provide living expenses and other support to refugee applicants, as determined by Presidential Decree. In other words, the target is people who have applied for refugee recognition.

However, since it says "may provide," you won't automatically receive support just by applying. There is a screening process. The detailed criteria are not in the material, so check the guide or call 1345. 💡

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Refugee applicant

Does everyone who applies get living expenses?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

No. After you submit the support application, it goes through screening and then it is decided whether you receive support. For detailed criteria, check the original guide or call 1345.

📝 Where and how do I apply?

You submit the application form for living expenses and other support to the head of the regional immigration office (출입국·외국인관서) with jurisdiction over your place of residence, or to the head of the regional immigration office where you applied for refugee recognition. After screening, you can receive support for a period not exceeding 6 months.

The guide is also posted in Russian, Arabic and Hindi in addition to Korean and English, so start by reading it in the language that is most comfortable for you. 🙂

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Refugee applicant

Where do I submit the application?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

Submit it to the regional immigration office with jurisdiction over your residence, or the one where you applied for refugee recognition. After screening, you can get support for up to 6 months.

📄 Documents to prepare

The documents listed in the reference material are as follows. ① Application form for living expenses and other support (Refugee Act Enforcement Rule Form No. 22) ② Treatment notification confirmation form ③ Passport or Alien Registration Card (if you don't have one, the refugee application receipt) ④ A bank account passbook in your own name (for minors, one in the name of the legal guardian)

⑤ Proof of residence is only needed when necessary, for example if a document you already submitted cannot be confirmed. ⑥ Supporting materials such as a medical certificate or a family relationship certificate can also be submitted to show that you need support. ✅

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Refugee applicant

Do I really need a bank account passbook?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

Yes, a passbook in your own name is included in the required documents. For minors, it is one in the name of the legal guardian.

💼 Other things to know besides living expenses

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

Housing support can be provided at a refugee support facility for up to 6 months. However, treatment may be limited for special refugee applicants who are in administrative appeals or lawsuits, or who have reapplied under the same circumstances. 😮

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Refugee applicant

Can I start working right after 6 months?

Kabi · K-VISA AI

No. You must first get permission for activities outside your status of sojourn. You must also get permission in advance whenever your workplace changes.

✅ What to do now, step by step

1. 1Open the detailed guide in your language from the HiKorea notice and read it.
2. 2Prepare your passport or Alien Registration Card (or the refugee application receipt if you don't have one).
3. 3Get your bank account passbook in your own name, or a copy of it.
4. 4If you have supporting materials such as a medical certificate or family relationship certificate, prepare them too.
5. 5Submit the support application to the immigration office with jurisdiction over your residence or where you applied.
6. 6If you have questions, call 1345.