Owe Health Insurance Premiums? Your Visa Extension Could Be Cut to 6 Months ⏳

🧭 What changes?

The Ministry of Justice (법무부) uses arrears information shared by related government ministries. Immigration officials check whether foreigners applying for an extension of stay and similar services have unpaid taxes or health insurance premiums.

If you have arrears, you first receive guidance on payment. If you pay all of the arrears, your extension is granted normally, and if you don't, it is granted on a limited basis. A limited extension is, in principle, permitted for 6 months or less. 💡

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Foreign resident

If I have arrears, can't I extend at all?

Kevi

No. If you pay all of the arrears, your extension is granted normally. If you don't, it is a limited extension, and in principle only 6 months or less is permitted.

📍 Where and to whom does this apply?

This system operates at 38 immigration offices nationwide. However, foreign nationals' detention centers (외국인보호소) and immigration support centers (출입국지원센터) are excluded. The data requested by tax collection agencies covers registered foreigners aged 19 or older who are staying legally.

The staff member handling stay permits checks the arrears information when you apply for an extension. So knowing your own status in advance puts your mind much more at ease. 🙂

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Foreign resident

Is this checked at every immigration office?

Kevi

It operates at 38 immigration offices nationwide. Detention centers (외국인보호소) and immigration support centers (출입국지원센터) are excluded.

😮 The biggest disadvantage is the extension period

If you don't pay the arrears, in principle only 6 months or less is permitted. When an extension is granted normally, it is usually 2 to 5 years, depending on your visa status, so 6 months is much shorter.

If you apply without knowing about arrears, you may receive a shorter period than you expected. Applying again every 6 months would cost you a lot of time and energy. That's why checking in advance is important.

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Foreign resident

What if I didn't know about my arrears and find out at the counter?

Kevi

If you have arrears, immigration officials will give you guidance on payment. If you pay all of the arrears as instructed, your extension can be granted normally.

🏥 Health insurance benefits can be affected too

Some foreigners may also see their health insurance benefits affected. If a foreigner who is a regional subscriber is in arrears on premiums for 1 month or more, insurance benefits may be restricted until the arrears are paid in full.

However, there are exceptions depending on visa status. The table of exempt visa statuses in the law lists Corporate Investment (D-8, with some exclusions), Professor (E-1), Research (E-3), Technical Instruction (E-4), Specialty Occupation (E-5), and Residence (F-2). For detailed criteria on whether you qualify, check the original text or call 1345.

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Foreign resident

If I don't pay my premiums, will my hospital bills be affected too?

Kevi

Some foreigners who are regional subscribers may have their insurance benefits restricted until they pay in full if they are in arrears for 1 month or more. There are exceptions depending on visa status, so check the original text or call 1345 for detailed criteria.

📄 How to prepare before extending

First, call 1577-1000 (press 7 for foreign languages) to check whether you have unpaid health insurance premiums. If you do, pay the arrears and keep the receipt.

Next, prepare a payment confirmation. When you apply for the extension at the immigration or foreigner office (출입국·외국인관서), just submit the payment confirmation together with your application. ✅

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Foreign resident

How do I show that I've paid the arrears?

Kevi

After paying, prepare a payment confirmation and submit it with your extension application. Keep your receipt safe too.

⚠️ Common mistakes

The most common mistake is thinking "I probably have no arrears" and applying without checking. You may have arrears you never knew about, or a notice you never received.

Also, if you check right before your application date, paying and preparing documents becomes a rush. Try making it a habit to call and check ahead of time before applying for an extension. 😊

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Foreign resident

When is the best time to check?

Kevi

It's best to check before you apply for the extension. If you have arrears, you need time to pay and prepare the payment confirmation.

✅ What to do now, step by step

1. 1Call 1577-1000 (press 7 for foreign languages) to check for unpaid health insurance premiums.
2. 2If you have arrears, pay them and keep the receipt.
3. 3After paying, prepare a payment confirmation.
4. 4Submit the payment confirmation together with your extension application at the immigration or foreigner office (출입국·외국인관서).
5. 5If you have questions, contact 1345.