Guide
Health Insurance for International Students in Korea (NHIS)
It is mandatory, it is automatic, and it is genuinely good value. Here is what national health insurance costs you each month, what it covers, and the one rule that protects your visa.
Korea has a single national health insurance system, run by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), and as an international student you are part of it whether you choose to be or not. Since 2021, student visa holders staying six months or more are enrolled automatically. The premium is modest and fixed, and in exchange most of your medical costs are heavily subsidised. This is one of the genuinely reassuring parts of student life in Korea.
- Enrollment is mandatory and automatic for D-2 and D-4 students staying six months or more, in effect since 2021.
- The student premium is a flat rate of roughly KRW 76,000 per month (about USD 55), regardless of income.
- It covers most care: clinic visits, hospital treatment, and prescriptions are heavily subsidised, so you pay a small fraction out of pocket.
- Pay by the 25th of each month. NHIS bills monthly.
- Unpaid premiums can block your visa extension, so never let it lapse.
How enrollment works
You do not apply separately. When you register and receive your residence card, NHIS enrollment follows automatically for students staying six months or more. You will start receiving monthly bills, and your coverage begins. If you arrive partway through a period, your university international office can confirm your start date and help if a bill does not appear.
What it costs
International students pay a flat monthly premium, currently around KRW 76,000 (roughly USD 55). It does not scale with your income the way a worker's contribution does; students are charged the set student rate. That single payment covers you for the month.
What it covers
NHIS covers the large majority of standard medical care:
- Clinic and doctor visits, with you paying a small co-payment.
- Hospital treatment and procedures, heavily subsidised.
- Prescription medicines through the national pharmacy system.
Some things are only partly covered or excluded (certain elective, cosmetic, or premium treatments), so confirm before a non-essential procedure. For everyday illness and injury, you are well protected.
Paying, and why it matters for your visa
NHIS bills you monthly, due by the 25th. You can pay by bank transfer, auto-debit from your Korean bank account, or other methods NHIS offers. Setting up auto-debit is the safest way to never miss one.
This is not just about coverage. Unpaid health insurance premiums can be a reason to deny your visa extension. Immigration and NHIS share information, so letting premiums pile up can quietly jeopardise your stay. Treat it as a non-negotiable monthly bill, like rent.
What to do next
- Confirm your enrollment once your residence card is issued.
- Set up auto-debit from your Korean bank account so you never miss the 25th.
- See the Life in Korea overview for how this fits with everything else.