Get Covered in Korea – Guide for Foreigners

Illustrative image, not a photo of an actual office. If you paid into Korea's National Pension (국민연금) and are leaving Korea, you may be able to get your contributions back as a lump-sum refund (반환일시금) . You qualify if at least one of these applies: your home country has a social security agreement with Korea that covers the refund, your home country gives Koreans an equivalent benefit (reciprocity), or you were insured while holding an E-9, H-2 or old E-8 (employment for training) visa. If none of these fit you, you cannot get the refund. This guide explains who qualifies, what to bring, and how to apply at a National Pension Service (NPS, 국민연금공단) branch, collect cash at Incheon Airport, or apply from abroad. Who can get the National Pension lump-sum refund? NPS pays the refund to foreigners only if at least one of these applies: Your home country has a social security agreement with Korea that covers lump-sum refunds. Your home country gives Koreans an equivalent benefit (rec...