National Health Insurance Services (NHIS)

As of March of 2021, all international students staying in Korea with a D-2 VISA is subject to the mandatory subscription to the National Health Insurance of Korea.

Students are automatically subscribed to the insurance after the alien registration. So students should get a travel insurance that lasts 1-month after the semester starts to cover the gap.

Please read the given guide on NHIS for details.

Benefits

NHIS Benefits are available from the date of enrollment, which is your alien registration date. The benefits are same as the Korean citizens, including dental and oriental medical treatment, health checkups, and pregnancy and childbirth-related medical expenses.

* The above is inapplicable to non-covered items, such as treatment for diseases that do not affect work or daily life(e.g. plastic surgery).

• NHIS coverage is immediate. The insured pays the deducted amount from the first time, so the one is not required to claim benefits after receiving treatment.

• The number and amount of benefits are not limited.

Coverage Rate

• Outpatient Medical Services: 40%-70% covered

(varies by medical care institution type and area)

• Hospitalization Expenses: 80% covered

Disadvantages with Nonpayment of Contributions

• Restrictions on Health Insurance Benefits

• Restrictions on VISA extension if the nonpayment amount surpasses 500,000KRW.

Application for an Exemption

If you have a private insurance that has unlimited amount of coverage, you can apply for an exemption from NHIS. Read the given guide on NHIS for details.

Note

Information regarding NHIS may change. Therefore, it is advised to refer to the website of NHIS for up-to-the-minute information.