Foreigners staying in Korea for more than 6 months are automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Here's everything international students need to know — enrollment timing, premiums, how to use hospitals, and visa consequences of unpaid premiums.

During your first few months in Korea, you're usually healthy enough that hospital visits don't cross your mind. Then a cold hits, or you sprain something, and suddenly you're at a clinic asking yourself: "Wait, am I even covered by health insurance?"

NHIS Korea (National Health Insurance Service) is Korea's mandatory public health insurance, and any foreigner staying in the country for more than 6 months is automatically enrolled. If you don't know when your coverage begins, you could end up paying full price out of pocket. And if you fall behind on premiums, it can affect your visa renewal.

This guide walks international students through the essentials — when you're enrolled, how much you pay, what happens if you don't pay, and how to use hospitals once you're covered. 

What Is NHIS Korea

Korea's Public Health Insurance  Mandatory for Foreigners Too

NHIS (National Health Insurance Service) is Korea's public health insurance system, run by the government. When you visit a hospital or pharmacy, NHIS covers roughly 60–70% of the bill, and you only pay the remaining co-payment.

For example, a typical cold visit at a neighborhood clinic might cost 20,000–30,000 KRW (about USD 15–22) in actual treatment fees. With NHIS, you'd only pay around 5,000–8,000 KRW (about USD 4–6). That's a 4–5x difference depending on whether you're enrolled.

Since July 2019, all foreigners staying in Korea for more than 6 months are legally required to enroll in NHIS. This isn't optional. Unpaid premiums can affect your visa renewal and re-entry into Korea, so if you're planning a long stay, understanding NHIS is non-negotiable.

💡 TIP: The NHIS official website (www.nhis.or.kr) provides English-language guidance. You can check your enrollment status and premiums through the The K-NHIS app. 

NHIS Korea: When and How You're Enrolled

Automatic Enrollment After 6 Months in Korea

This is where most people get confused: NHIS isn't something you sign up for.

Once you've received your ARC (Alien Registration Card) and 6 months have passed since your entry into Korea, you're automatically enrolled as a regional subscriber — no application needed. The enrollment notice and first premium bill are mailed to the address registered on your ARC.

📍 Enrollment timing: 6 months after your entry date into Korea
📍 Who's covered: D-2 (student), D-4 (language training), E-series (work), F-series (residence), and other long-term visa holders staying 6+ months
⏰ First bill: Sent by post to your ARC-registered address shortly after enrollment

If you're employed by a Korean company (E-series, etc.), you're enrolled as a workplace subscriber from day one, and premiums are automatically deducted from your salary. Students and language trainees, who don't have employers, fall under the regional subscriber category.

⚠️ Important: If the address on your ARC is outdated or inaccurate, you won't receive the bill — and you can start accumulating unpaid premiums without realizing it. If you move, you must report your new address to the Immigration Office.

Haven't applied for an ARC yet? Check the ARC Korea Guide. 

D-2 and D-4 Students Get a 50% Premium Discount

To ease the financial burden on students, NHIS applies a 50% discount on premiums for holders of D-2 (degree-seeking student) and D-4 (language training) visas.

As of 2026, the standard monthly premium for foreign regional subscribers sits around 140,000 KRW (about USD 105), while D-2 and D-4 students pay roughly half — around 70,000 KRW (about USD 52). (Exact amounts are adjusted annually. Verify the current rate on the NHIS Website or in the The K-NHIS app.)

This discount is applied automatically — no separate application required. However, if your visa changes from D-2/D-4 to another category (for example, switching to a work visa after graduation), the discount no longer applies and your premium will increase.

💡 TIP: If your school has enrolled you in a private student insurance plan (like a university group policy), that's separate from NHIS. You can't opt out of NHIS by having other coverage — both apply simultaneously. 

NHIS Korea Premiums and Consequences of Non-Payment

2026 Monthly Premiums and Payment Methods

Premiums are billed monthly, with a payment deadline typically on the 25th of each month. Bills are sent by post by default, but you can switch to electronic billing through the The K-NHIS app.

📍 Payment deadline: 25th of each month
📍 D-2 / D-4 student monthly premium: around 70,000 KRW (about USD 52, 2026 standard, subject to change)
📍 General foreign regional subscriber: around 140,000 KRW (about USD 105)

You can choose from four payment methods:

① Automatic transfer — Register a Korean bank account and have the premium auto-debited each month. Most recommended.

② Virtual account transfer — Use the virtual account number on your bill to pay via online banking or ATM.

③ Credit card — Pay on the NHIS website or through the app.

④ Convenience store payment — Scan the barcode on your bill at CU, GS25, or other convenience stores and pay in cash.

💡 TIP: The safest method is to open a Korean bank account and set up automatic transfer. This prevents missed payments due to lost mail or address errors. 

How Unpaid Premiums Affect Your Visa

Failing to pay NHIS premiums doesn't just rack up late fees. It can directly affect your right to stay in Korea.

① Restrictions on visa renewal or change

The Ministry of Justice checks your NHIS payment history when reviewing visa renewal or change applications. If you've missed 6 or more payments, your residence period may be shortened or your extension may be denied. The same applies when switching to a work visa (E-7, etc.) after graduation.

② Restricted access to medical services

While in arrears, you lose NHIS benefits at hospitals and must pay the full cost out of pocket. Your status is only restored after all overdue premiums are cleared.

③ Issues at re-entry

If you leave Korea with unpaid premiums and try to return later, your overdue record can be flagged during immigration review.

⚠️ Warning: Don't assume "I'm leaving Korea soon, so I don't need to pay." Unpaid records remain on file and can affect future visa applications if you return to Korea — for further study, work, or anything else.

If you've already fallen behind, visit your nearest NHIS branch to apply for an installment plan. If paying in full at once is difficult, you can split the payment over up to 24 months. Don't ignore it — talk to NHIS early.

Using Hospitals with NHIS Korea

Here's what you need to know when actually visiting a hospital in Korea.

① The first 6 months: full out-of-pocket cost

Before your automatic NHIS enrollment kicks in (6 months after entry), you're not covered. Any hospital visit during this period means paying 100% out of pocket. If you have school group insurance or travel insurance, check whether you can claim reimbursement through them.

② What to bring to the hospital

Just your ARC — physical or Mobile ARC (Mobile Residence Card) is fine. No separate insurance card is issued; the hospital looks up your NHIS status using your ARC number. You only pay the co-payment at the counter.

③ How much is the co-payment?

• Local clinic outpatient visit: about 30% of total fee

• General hospital / university hospital outpatient visit: about 40–60% (higher if you visit without a referral)

• Prescription medication at pharmacy: about 30% of medication cost

A typical cold visit at a neighborhood clinic, including medication, usually costs around 10,000 KRW (about USD 7).

④ Emergency room

ER co-payments are significantly higher (around 50–80%). Visiting the ER for non-emergencies also incurs additional surcharges. For minor issues, try a local clinic or a night-shift clinic first.

⑤ Install the The K-NHIS app

The official NHIS app (iOS and Android) lets you check your enrollment status, premiums, and treatment history. It supports English menus, and you can report status changes (departure, leave of absence, etc.) directly in the app.

💡 TIP: Looking for foreigner-friendly hospitals? The Korea Tourism Organization's Medical Korea page lets you search hospitals offering multilingual care. 

NHIS Korea isn't something you apply for — it's mandatory coverage that kicks in automatically once you've been in Korea for 6 months. D-2 and D-4 students get a 50% discount, paying around 70,000 KRW (about USD 52) per month for the same medical benefits Korean nationals receive. A standard cold visit usually runs about 10,000 KRW (about USD 7).

Two things matter most: keep your ARC address up to date so you never miss a bill, and don't fall behind on premiums. Stick to those two, and you won't run into visa renewal issues or unexpected hospital bills.