Foreigners and overseas Koreans (who still retain Korean nationality) can only be eligible for National Health Insurance (NHI) as dependents if they reside in Korea for at least 6 months.
The requirement to reside in the country for at least six months for foreigners and overseas Koreans to receive NHI does not apply to dependents including spouses and children under the age of 19. At the same time, individuals with visas of the D-2 (study abroad), D-4-3 (special training program), E-9 (non-professional employment), and F-6 (marriage immigration) types, as well as those with F-5 permanent resident cards, are also eligible as dependents.
According to an announcement on April 2 by the Korean Ministry of Health , this stricter and tighter regulation is expected to take effect from April 3.
Health insurance criteria have become stricter in recent years, aimed at preventing foreigners from taking advantage of South Korea's national health insurance system by entering the country for short periods of time and then paying nominal premiums to receive high-cost treatment.
Many foreigners working in Korea have declared their siblings and other relatives as dependents and arranged temporary visits to Korea for medical treatment.
Before the new regulations were implemented, all foreigners residing in Korea could enroll their family members as dependents under the public health insurance program for employees if they met specific criteria, such as income and assets, according to The Korea Herald. As of 2022, the number of foreigners enrolled in public health insurance in Korea reached 1.32 million, with Chinese nationals accounting for 52 percent.
HAPPY CHI
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