As of March 1, 2021, the Korean Government announced that all international students residing in Korea with a D-2
student visa will be automatically subscribed to the Korean National Health Insurance. You can see more information
regarding the guidelines in the PDF attachment available here.
However, you cannot apply for Korean National Health Insurance until your Alien Registration information is
registered to the system. Therefore, you must have health insurance coverage for at least 3 months until you can
subscribe to the Korean National Health Insurance. It usually takes at least 1-2 months to receive your Residence
Card (RC) after you apply. All international students must send proof of health insurance or traveler’s insurance to
the Student Services Team (student@sunykorea.ac.kr) a week before the SUNY Korea New Student Welcome Week begins.
If you cannot prove your health insurance coverage when you come to SUNY Korea, your admission offer may be
rescinded.
Subscription start period:
a. If it’s your first entry to Korea, then from your alien registration date
b. If it’s your second or reentry, then from your reentry date
Insurance Fee
Average Monthly Insurance Fee (for 2023): 60,000 ~ 70,000 KRW
As of 2023, the health insurance fee is 127,510 KRW per month. However, the Korean Government decided to allow
international students to receive the insurance benefits with a 50% discounted fee from March 2023 (subject to
change).
However, the reduced fee only applies to students who:
did not pay any income tax in 2022,
are not self-employed insured whose contribution (fee) is above the average contribution, and
has a household income of KRW 3.6 million or below, and the property tax base of KRW 135 million or below.
If you received an income and paid the income tax in 2022 (such as working as a Research Assistant), your
insurance fee may be different than the reduced fee. If you worked in 2022, but currently are not working, then
you may be able to request the reduction (they may request documentation for verification purposes). The insurance
fee may differ for each student.
Fee Due Date: The fee for the next month is due by the 25th of the current month (prepayment)
E.g. April 2022 fee is payable by March 25, 2022 (billed around the 10th of each month)
Payment Method: Automatic transfer (from your bank account or credit card), website, NHIS branch office,
bank
You can call (033-811-2000 for English service) or visit an NHIS branch office to apply for an
electronic (email or mobile) billing instead of receiving a paper bill. We recommend you do so for
efficient communication.
NHIS Office for Foreigners (Location):
09:00 ~ 12:00 / 13:00 ~ 18:00
88, Bupyeong-daero, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea (Bupyeong-daero Post Office Building, 7th
floor)
*Please bring your Residence Card (RC) and bankbook or bank account information
Insurance Benefits:
Same benefits as Korean citizens
Various benefits are available, including dental and oriental medical treatment, health checkups, and
pregnancy and childbirth-related medical expenses
Disadvantages with Nonpayment of the Fee:
Restrictions on health insurance benefits
Restrictions on visa extension
Dispositions on default
Enrollment Procedure
No action is required from students, as they are automatically subscribed to the health insurance by the
NHIS
A NHI Card and subscription guide are sent to your residential address in Korea
If you have any questions regarding the Korean national health insurance, please contact NHIS at 033-811-2000
for services in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Uzbek. You can also visit the nearby NHIS branch office for a
consultation (click here to access the NHIS website).