National Health Insurance for Foreigners: Who Joins, What You Pay, How to Use It

How foreigners join Korea’s National Health Insurance (through work, as a student or as a regional subscriber), how premiums and payment work, and how to use it at hospitals.

Updated Oct 21, 2026As of Oct 20267 min read

Korea’s National Health Insurance (NHI) is run by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Most foreigners who live in Korea for a longer time must join. With NHI, you pay only part of your hospital and pharmacy costs.

Who is enrolled, and when?

Employees: if you work at a workplace, you are enrolled through your employer as an employee subscriber (직장가입자).
International students (D-2) and elementary to high school students (D-4): generally enrolled as regional subscribers from the date of alien registration.
General trainees (D-4), such as language students: generally enrolled after 6 months of stay.
Other foreigners who stay 6 months or more: generally enrolled automatically as regional subscribers (지역가입자).

Your status	How you join	When it starts (generally)	Who pays
Employee at a workplace	Through your employer (employee subscriber)	From your start date (your employer reports it)	You and your employer share the premium
D-2 student / D-4 elementary to high school student	Regional subscriber	From the date of alien registration	You (a reduced premium may apply)
D-4 general trainee (e.g. language program)	Regional subscriber	After 6 months of stay	You
Other foreigners staying 6 months or more	Regional subscriber	After 6 months of stay (some statuses differ)	You (per household)

Swipe to see the whole table

The exact rules depend on your visa status and situation. Check NHIS for your status, or ask at an NHIS branch office.

Premiums and payment

Premiums are billed every month.
Foreign regional subscribers generally pay in advance. Check the due date on your bill.
Students who meet the conditions get a reduced premium. Check NHIS for the current reduction.
Unpaid premiums can limit your health insurance benefits and can affect your visa extension.
Family members, such as a spouse or children, may be added under certain conditions.

Using NHI at a hospital or pharmacy

Show your ARC at the reception desk of a hospital or clinic, and at the pharmacy. Hospitals check your identity before they apply insurance. You pay only your share of the cost (본인부담금), and NHI pays the rest. Some treatments are not covered, so if you are not sure, ask before treatment.

Steps after you arrive

1
Register your ARC
Apply for alien registration at the immigration office. NHIS sends mail to your registered address, so report any change of address.
2
Receive your notice
NHIS sends an enrollment notice and monthly bills. Read them carefully, and ask for help if anything is unclear.
3
Set up auto-debit
Register a Korean bank account for automatic payment so you don’t miss a month.
4
Keep your receipts
Keep your payment receipts. You may need proof of payment for stay-related procedures.

Private student insurance from your school is different from NHI. It does not replace NHI unless an exemption applies to you. Check with NHIS before you cancel or skip anything.

Official sources

We link to the original source so you can check it yourself.

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