Employment Insurance for Foreigners in Korea โ Unemployment Benefits by Visa
Which foreign workers in Korea are covered by employment insurance, how to opt in, the 0.9% premium, and whether you can claim unemployment benefits or parental leave pay.
Employment insurance (๊ณ ์ฉ๋ณดํ, goyong boheom) pays unemployment benefits, parental leave pay and job training support. For Korean employees it is mandatory, but for many foreign workers it is optional, so it is worth checking whether you are enrolled.
Coverage by visa
| Visa | Employment insurance |
|---|---|
| F-2, F-5, F-6 | Mandatory, same as Koreans |
| E-9, H-2 | Employer-paid job security and training part is mandatory; unemployment benefit part is opt-in |
| E-1 to E-7, F-4 and most other work visas | Opt-in: you and your employer apply to join |
| D-2 students and most non-work visas | Generally not covered |
Rules for some visas, such as E-7, are described differently by different sources, so ask your employer or the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service to confirm your status.
What it costs
The unemployment benefit part is 1.8% of pay, split equally, so you pay 0.9%. Your employer also pays 0.25โ0.85% for job security and training. At โฉ3,000,000 a month your share is โฉ27,000.
What you get if you are enrolled
- Unemployment benefits of 60% of your average daily wage (within daily limits) for 120โ270 days, if you lose your job involuntarily and were insured for at least 180 days in the last 18 months. You must be allowed to stay and look for work in Korea.
- Parental leave pay and maternity leave pay.
- Training support through the national learning card.
Should you opt in?
If you plan to stay in Korea for several years, or might change jobs, opting in is usually worth it: the premium is small and unemployment benefits can be several million won. If you are on a short fixed contract and will leave when it ends, you will not be able to claim benefits anyway.
To see the premium at your pay, use the social insurance calculator and untick "not enrolled in employment insurance".
This guide reflects Korean laws and official notices as of 2026-10-08. Rules change, so confirm with the relevant agency before making important decisions.