This page gives you information about your rights in Korea. You will have different rights depending on your status.
For more detailed information on the rights and treatment of Refugee Status Applicants, Humanitarian Status Holders and Recognised Refugees, please contact the Immigration Contact Center (dial 1345).
If you are a Refugee Status Applicant
- You can stay in Korea until your application process is over.
- You can apply for Living Expenses Support from the government. If you are eligible, you will receive the financial support for 6 months from the date when you submit your refugee status application. Please click here for more information.
- You can work 6 months after you submit your refugee status application. You first need to find a workplace, and then apply for permission to work at a local immigration office. Please contact the Immigration Contact Center (dial 1345) for more detailed information.
- If you are eligible, you may be provided with a place to stay in the Immigration Reception Center for up to 6 months. The space at the Immigration Reception Center is very limited.
- Underage refugee applicants or underage children of refugee status applicants can receive the same level of primary and secondary education as Korean citizens.
If you are a Humanitarian Status Holder
- You can stay in Korea until the circumstances with regards to the humanitarian status recognition no longer exist. No forcible return to the country of origin or country of habitual country.
- You can work with a ‘comprehensive employment activity permit’. For more information, please contact the Immigration Contact Center (dial 1345).
- If eligible, you may be provided with a place to stay in the Immigration Reception Center for up to 6 months. The space at the Immigration Reception Center is very limited.
- Underage humanitarian status holder or underage children of humanitarian status holder can receive the same level of primary and secondary education as Korean citizens.
If you are a Recognised Refugee
- You will receive an F-2 Resident visa, which provides stable status of stay in the Republic of Korea.
- You may work without obtaining permission to work from an immigration office.
- You can receive a Refugee Travel Document to travel outside of Korea. You can apply for a Refugee Travel Document at an immigration office in the region you live in. Please contact the Immigration Contact Center (dial 1345) for more information.
- Your spouse and unmarried underage children (under the age 19) can come to Korea with you.
- Your family members who are already in Korea can apply for refugee status for the purpose of family reunification.
- If your family members are abroad, they may enter into Korea after obtaining a short-term visa (C-3) at a Korean Embassy or Consulate General. Please contact the Immigration Contact Center (dial 1345) for more information.
- You must join the public health insurance to enjoy health benefits at hospitals and pharmacies.
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- if you are an employee– you can apply as a ‘company health insurance subscriber’
- If you are not an employee– you may apply as a ‘local health insurance subscriber’
- For further information, please contact the National Health Insurance Service by calling 1577-1000 or by visiting their website (www.nhic.or.kr)
- If you and/or your children are underage (less than 19 years old), you and/or your children can receive the same level of primary and secondary education.
- You may apply for the governmental financial support called ‘Basic Livelihood Security’. This can help with livelihood, residence, medical care and others if found eligible. You may apply for the benefit at a community service office of your residence. For further information, please contact the Basic Livelihood Security Division of the Ministry of Health and Welfare by calling 129.
