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Overview
Overview
TRAVEL INSURANCE
TRAVEL INSURANCE
International students are required to have valid travel insurance when traveling to Korea. Travel insurance helps cover unexpected medical expenses and emergencies during travel and their stay in Korea.
As coverage and conditions vary depending on the insurance provider, we strongly advise students to carefully review their insurance policies and ensure they have adequate coverage before arriving in Korea.
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICE (NHIS)
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICE (NHIS)
International exchange students holding a D-2 visa are generally enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) automatically upon foreigner registration.
Students are required to pay monthly insurance premiums unless they qualify for an exemption approved by NHIS.
NHIS PROCESSING TIME
NHIS PROCESSING TIME
The residence card application and foreigner registration process may take approximately 1–2 months.
Although NHIS enrollment is generally automatic upon foreigner registration, we strongly recommend that students arrange separate health or travel insurance to ensure adequate medical coverage before their NHIS coverage begins.
Please note that students are responsible for ensuring they have adequate medical coverage during their stay in Korea.
Insurance fee
Insurance fee
NHIS premiums are generally paid in advance. Students will receive a monthly payment notice, and the payment deadline is usually the 25th of the preceding month. For example, the premium for April is generally due by March 25.
The monthly insurance premium for eligible international students is approximately KRW 80,000 as of 2026. Please note that the amount is subject to change according to NHIS regulations.
Please note that HUFS cannot check or manage individual NHIS accounts.
For questions regarding your personal insurance status, payments, or billing information, please contact NHIS directly.
외국인 유학생 건강보험 제도 안내.pdfExemption Guide
Exemption Guide
EXEMPTION ELIGIBILITY
EXEMPTION ELIGIBILITY
Students who meet either of the following conditions may apply for an exemption from NHIS:
Foreign Law: Students who are covered by eligible foreign healthcare systems or government arrangements, such as those applicable to certain individuals from France, Japan, and the United States.
Foreign Insurance: Students who have private health insurance purchased outside Korea that provides medical coverage equivalent to NHIS and meets the requirements set by NHIS.
CRITERIA FOR EXCLUSION FROM HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE (Foreign Insurance)
CRITERIA FOR EXCLUSION FROM HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE (Foreign Insurance)
To qualify for an exemption, the insurance must meet all of the following requirements:
Insurance contract should guarantee medical care benefits equivalent to those provided by NHIS
Insurance launched in Korea cannot be excluded
There must be information on the insured's name and date of birth
Insurance subscription date must be before the foreigner registration date
Medical coverage for common disease injuries should be provided
There should be no restrictions on the number of guarantees
You need to be able to get health protection in Korea
There should be no limit to the amount of medical coverage (at least 1 billion won)
For female, there should be medical coverage for childbirth.
HOW TO APPLY FOR EXEMPTION
HOW TO APPLY FOR EXEMPTION
Complete the following forms:
Application for Exclusion from National Health Insurance for Foreigners
Health Insurance Eligibility Loss Report
Prepare your identification document, insurance certificate, and supporting documents showing the scope and details of your insurance coverage (e.g., insurance policy).
Provide Korean translations of the relevant supporting documents. Notarization is not required.
Submit the documents to an NHIS Center for Foreign Residents or contact NHIS for other available submission methods.
IMPORTANT NOTES
IMPORTANT NOTES
You must complete your foreigner registration and obtain a residence registration number before applying for an exemption.
Please note that submitting an exemption application does not guarantee approval. All applications are subject to review and approval by NHIS.
We strongly recommend contacting NHIS before submitting your application to confirm your eligibility and the required documents.
⭐Main telephone number of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)⭐
1577-1000
Foreign language (English, Chinese, Uzbek, Vietnamese) consultation only, number is 1577-1000 (Extension Number 6) or 033-811-2000
⭐NHIS Seoul Center for Foreign Residents⭐
Location
3rd floor, Sindorim Techno Mart (Upmu-dong), 97, Saemal-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul
Subway
Line 1 and Line2, Sindorim Station, Leave via Exit 2 or 3 > Connects to B1 of Techno Mart (in the direction of the West Finance Center)
Map
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oXubytfuGtarwrPY6
Center information
Application for Exclusion for National Health Insurance for Foreigners 외국인_건강보험_가입제외_신청서.docx<Application for Exclusion for National Health Insurance for Foreigners>
1) Health coverage guaranteed by foreign law
France: Intergovernmental agreement
Japan: National Health insurance system reimburses policy holders for medical expenses incurred overseas (Japanese health insurance card required)
USA, UN(United Nations): Healthcare system for government officials, military personnel / retirees and their families (Uniform card or Blue Cross Blue shield insurance card required)
2) Health coverage guaranteed by foreign insurance
Private insurance must be purchased outside of Korea and have no limitations on its coverage in South Korea.
* Note: It is crucial to write the gray area "for a maximum of one year" and "only once" by hand on the document.
** Signatures: Two signatures are required on the form
Health Insurance Regional Subscribers' Declaration of Qualification Loss 건강보험_지역가입자_자격상실_신고서.docx<Health Insurance Regional Subscribers' Declaration of Qualification Loss>
Name: Should be the same as the name on your Residence Card (RC).
Date of Loss: The starting date of your National Health Insurance
(Please refer to the starting date mentioned in your letter from NHIS.
If you do not know the starting date, leave this field blank).
Qualification Loss Code:
Health Coverage Guaranteed by Foreign Law: <24>
Health Coverage Guaranteed by Foreign Insurance: <25>
Visa Status: D-2 (exchange student)
Insurance Coverage
Insurance Coverage
International students can receive the same level of insurance benefits as Korean citizens. The insurance service covers up to 80% of inpatient treatments and medical services. The service also covers 30 – 70% of outpatient treatments and medical services. In general, the covered amount gets deducted from your medical bill when you check out of the medical institution.
For more information, visit the NHIS website.
Visit Type
Visit Type
Medical Institution Type
Medical Institution Type
Co-Payment
Co-Payment
Inpatient Care
Inpatient Care
(Hospitalization)
(Hospitalization)
All
20% of the total treatment cost
(cancer patients 5%, rare/incurable diseases patients 10%)
Outpatient Care
Outpatient Care
Higher-level General Hospital
Tertiary Hospital
60% of total treatment cost and other expenses
General Hospital
45 - 50% of total care benefit expenses
Pharmacy
35 - 40% of total care benefit expenses
Hospital
30% of total care benefit expenses
Clinic
30% of total care benefit expenses
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