How do I handle my national health insurance when I leave Korea?

When you leave Korea, your health insurance eligibility usually ends automatically. You do not normally need to file a separate cancellation request. But be sure to settle your last premiums and any unpaid premiums before you go.

The reference materials confirm two things.

• Your health insurance eligibility ends the day after your period of stay ends.
• If you receive a deportation order (강제퇴거명령서), your eligibility ends the day after you receive it.

In other cases, the Minister of Health and Welfare (보건복지부장관) may set a separate date by public notice. Then eligibility ends on the date set in that notice.

Check these before you leave

• Unpaid premiums — If you are a regional subscriber (지역가입자) and fall behind on premiums, your insurance benefits are restricted. The restriction is lifted only when you pay everything.
• Last month's premium — Check whether any amount is still due up to the day your eligibility ends.
• If you are a workplace subscriber (직장가입자) — Your employer files the loss report. Tell your employer your last working day and your departure date.
• Hospital care — For care you received while your benefits were restricted, it counts as covered by insurance if you pay all unpaid premiums by the payment deadline of the month that is 2 months after the date the National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단) notified you.

💡 Good to know

• If you are a foreign regional subscriber and you are behind on premiums for 1 month or more, your insurance benefits may be restricted until you pay in full.
• There are exceptions for these statuses: Corporate Investment (D-8), Professor (E-1), Research (E-3), Technical Instruction (E-4), Specially Designated Occupation (E-5), and Residence (F-2). If you have missed fewer than 3 monthly payments, you can still receive benefits.
• This record of unpaid premiums can hurt you later when you extend your stay or re-enter Korea. It is better to settle it before you leave.

Steps

1. Check your premium payment history and unpaid amount with the National Health Insurance Service (nhis.or.kr, customer center 1577-1000).
2. If you owe anything, pay it before you leave and keep the receipt.
3. If you are a workplace subscriber, tell your employer your last working day and planned departure date.
4. After you leave, check with the Service that your eligibility has been closed out.

We could not confirm in these materials whether you can get a refund of premiums you already paid. Please ask the Service separately.

For exact details, check once more with the National Health Insurance Service (1577-1000) or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).