The National insurance policy that applies to all international students (including exchange students) studying in Korea has changed as of March 1st, 2021.

Before this change, international students had to personally purchase their insurance and prepare themselves for potential accidents or injuries.

However, from March 1st, 2021, all international students with D-2 visas who are given ARC numbers by the Immigration Office are automatically subject to mandatory subscription of the National Health Insurance Service, provided by the Korean government.

If international students do not pay their fee for the National Health Insurance Service, they will face disadvantages, specifically restrictions on immigration applications such as visa extension, etc.

Furthermore, international students should consider that Korean nationals also purchase multiple insurances in addition to the National Health Insurance Service, to ensure that they are fully covered in case of national disasters or accidents.

Please make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the above information, and we would appreciate your full cooperation and kind understanding regarding this change in the national insurance policy.

Below are links of informative videos provided by the National Health Insurance Service.

https://youtu.be/IxAT_04aieM(Korean)

https://youtu.be/cUC3B0BnJ5U(Eng)

https://youtu.be/cLK7_lPAUR8(Chinese)

Office of International Affairs