National Pension Service

Coverage

A foreigner residing in Korea is subject to the compulsory coverage of the National Pension Scheme, just like Korean nationals.

• If a foreigner aged between 18 and under 60 is working in a workplace covered under the scheme, he/she shall be a Workplace-based Insured Person.
• A foreigner aged between 18 and under 60, who is not a Workplace-based Insured Person, shall be an Individually Insured Person.

Checking for Eligibility

• Eligibility by Country (Attachment 1)
• Eligibility by Stay Status (Visa) (Attachment 2)

Exclusions from Coverage

• A foreigner who is excluded from National Pension Coverage by laws, including trainees (but, those employed after training are subject to coverage), international students, and diplomats.
• A foreigner whose country’s pension system (incl. a social security program equivalent to the Korea National Pension Scheme) does not mandatorily cover Korean nationals.
• A foreigner who submits an original copy of Certificate of Coverage under the SSA of the contracting state with which Korea has signed a social security agreement.

Lump-sum Refund for Foreigners

1. Eligibility

A foreign insured person falling under any of the following conditions is entitled to a Lump-sum Refund

• If a foreigner’s country grants Korean nationals a benefit corresponding to the Korean Lump-sum Refund;
• If a social security agreement on Lump-sum Refund has been concluded between a foreigner’s home country and Korea;
• For an insured period when a foreigner’s visa is either E-8 (employment for training), E-9 (non-professional employment), or H-2 (visiting employment).

Countries Paying Lump-sum Refund

(2026.01.01.)

2. Lump-sum Refund Benefit

An eligible foreigner is paid a Lump-sum Refund plus its interest, for the period corresponding to his/her insured period in the same way a Korean national receives Lump-sum Refund benefit.

The interest is calculated based on fixed deposit with 3-year maturity for the period beginning with the month immediately following the month in which he/she makes contribution and ending with the month in which the entitlement is effective.

3. How to Apply

In principle, a foreigner who has the entitlement to Lump-sum Refund shall apply for his/her Lump-sum Refund in person; however, in the case he/she stays overseas and is not able to visit any local office of the National Pension Service, he/she may either assign an agent to visit a local office to apply for the lump-sum refund or directly send required documents by postal mail.

[Required Documents]

• Applying before departing from Korea (for applicants in Korea)

  • An application for Lump-sum Refund
  • Passport of an insured person
  • Alien registration card of an insured person
  • A copy of proof of bank account of an insured person (i.e. bank statement)
  • Material evidence which proves that the date of departure is within a month from the date of application

• Applying overseas, after departing from Korea

  Official documents issued overseas shall be attested by a local consulate while private documents issued overseas are subject to both notarization by a notary public and attestation by a local consulate. Any documents written in a foreign language shall be translated into Korean and notarized so that the contents can be verified in Korean.

  As for any Apostille Convention countries, an Apostille certificate is required, instead of attestation by a local consulate.

  • (1) Applying overseas by postal mail

    • An application for Lump-sum Refund
    • Passport of an insured person
    • A copy of proof of bank account of an insured person (i.e. bank statement)
    • Application for overseas remittance

  • (2) Applying overseas by an agent

    • An application for Lump-sum Refund: In the Agent Section, the agent’s personal details shall be written (This may be replaced with a power of attorney signed by an insured person)
    • Passport of an insured person
    • Identification card of the agent
    • A copy of proof of bank account of an insured person (i.e. bank statement)
    • Application for overseas remittance

    Notarization by a notary public and Apostille issuance or attestation by a local consulate can be exempted if an administration authority proves the authenticity of the documents (including information on the agent’s personal information or the power of attorney) for the convenience of citizens, and if embassies in Korea verify them.

  • (3) Applying through MOU

    A foreigner who has returned to his/her home country may apply for Lump-sum Refundº through his/her home country’s social insurance institution. The same documents as by postal mail are required to submit, but notarization by a notary public and Apostille issuance or attestation by a local consulate can be exempted.

    º It includes Lump-sum Refund (Lump-sum Death Payment) and unpaid benefits

  Countries that have singed the MOU on Lump-sum Refund with Korea

  Countries that have singed the MOU on Lump-sum Refund with Korea

  Country	Institution
  Mongolia	The Social Insurance General Office of Mongolia
  Uzbekistan	The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Uzbekistan
  Thailand	The Ministry of Labour of the Kingdom of Thailand
  Sri Lanka	The Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare of Sri Lanka
  Kyrgyzstan	The Social Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic
  Indonesia	BPJS(Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial) Ketenagakerjaan

4. Lump-sum Refund Service at the Airport for Foreigners

Foreigners departing via Incheon International Airport may receive their refund in cash(foreign currency) at the airport on the day of departure.

Eligibility (Service Requirements)

• Foreigners eligible for a lump-sum refund who are scheduled to depart from Incheon International Airport within one month of the application date.

Requirements for Airport Payment

• Report of Resignation: The former employer must report the individual’s resignation (loss of coverage) to the NPS by the day before the departure date.

• Operational Days: Service is unavailable on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the last business day of December.

  In such cases, payment via Korean bank transfer or overseas remittance is available instead.

• Flight Schedule: Airport payment is only available for flights departing between 10:30–24:00 (Terminal 1) or 11:00–24:00 (Terminal 2) on weekdays.

• Supported Currencies: Available in 16 currencies, including USD, EUR, JPY, and CNY. Payment in Korean Won (KRW) is not available.

How to Apply

• Select the "Airport Payment" method when filing the lump-sum refund claim.

• Note: Provide a Korean or overseas bank account as a backup in case airport payment is unavailable or additional payments (adjustments) are required later.

How to Receive Payment
Before Departure (At a local NPS Office)

• Visit any NPS office or counseling center (except the Incheon Airport center) within one month of departure.
• Required Documents: Passport, Alien Registration Card (ARC), flight ticket (departing within 1 month), and a copy of a bankbook.
• Receive: Certificate of Application Acceptance after filing the claim.

On the Day of Departure (At Incheon Airport)
Step 1. Go to the NPS Incheon Airport Center (Terminal 1)

• Location: Terminal 1, 1st Floor, Between Exits 1 & 2 (Booths 7–8) / 09:00–18:00
• Required Documents: Passport and Certificate of Application Acceptance
• Receive: Notice of Decision and a Direction for Payment (for bank submission)

• Note: All applicants must visit the Terminal 1 center, regardless of their departure terminal.

Step 2. Go to the Woori Bank Currency Exchange (Before Immigration)

• Required Documents: Passport and Direction for Payment.
• Terminal 1 Locations:

  $10,000 or more: B1F, Woori Bank Airport Financial Center / 09:00–16:00

  Under $10,000: 3F, Woori Bank Currency Exchange (near Counter H) / 09:00–21:00

• Terminal 2 Locations:

  $10,000 or more: B1F, Woori Bank T2 Branch / 09:00–16:00

  Under $10,000: 3F, Woori Bank Currency Exchange (near Counter A) / 09:00–21:00

• Receive: Receipt of Currency Exchange.

Step 3. Collect Cash at the Duty-Free Area (After Immigration)

• Required Documents: Passport and Receipt of Currency Exchange.
• Terminal 1 Locations: Near Boarding Gate 11, Woori Bank Booth / 09:00–21:00
• Terminal 2 Locations: Near Boarding Gate 250, Woori Bank Booth / 09:00–21:00
• Receive: Lump-sum Refund in foreign currency.

5. Extinctive Prescription

If a foreigner who has the entitlement to Lump-sum Refund does not apply for the payment within five years after becoming entitled, extinctive prescription is completed and accordingly, the payment will not be made. Even after the completion of extinctive prescription, he/she may re-apply for Lump-sum Refund within 10 years after he/she reaches age 60, or within five years after his/her death by survivors.