Do foreigners also have to join the National Pension?

Yes, foreigners living in Korea must join the National Pension in principle. The same rules apply as for Koreans if you are 18 or older and under 60. However, some people, such as international students, are not covered.

How do I join?

• If you work at a workplace that is enrolled in the National Pension, you become a workplace subscriber (사업장가입자). Your employer reports the insurance enrollment.
• Other foreigners living in Korea become local subscribers (지역가입자). In this case, you report it yourself. If you cannot, your spouse or a family member can do it for you.
• The reporting deadline is the 15th of the month after the month in which the reason for enrollment arose. If you start a job in February, the deadline is March 15.

Who is not covered?

• Trainees (However, trainee-employment (연수취업) is covered.)
• International students
• Diplomats and others excluded by law
• Citizens of countries whose pension systems, like the National Pension, do not require Korean citizens to join
• Workers dispatched from a country that has a social security agreement with Korea (if they submit a certificate of coverage from their home country)

⚠️ Good to know

Whether you are covered depends on your country and your visa status. To be sure about your case, check with the National Pension Service (국민연금공단). Contact the National Pension Customer Center (1355) or the National Pension Service website (nps.or.kr).