Can I get a refund of my National Pension contributions when I leave Korea?

You can receive a lump‑sum refund of all contributions you paid to the National Pension if you are a foreign worker on an E‑8, E‑9 or H‑2 visa (or an individually insured person from a country with a social‑security agreement or reciprocity rule) and you apply within one month before leaving Korea or within five years after becoming entitled; otherwise the claim expires. Full details below.

Details

• Eligibility

• Foreign workers on E‑8, E‑9 or H‑2 visas are automatically covered and may claim a lump‑sum refund【2†L9-L12】.

• Individually insured persons may claim if their home country has a social‑security agreement with Korea or is covered by the 25‑country reciprocity rule【2†L13-L20】.

• The refund is only paid to nationals of the 24‑country agreement list or the 25‑country reciprocity list【1†L1-L8】【2†L23-L30】.

• Required insured period

• At least 6 months of contributions for one specific country, 1 year for seven countries, and no minimum for 17 other countries under the reciprocity rule【2†L23-L30】.

• When to apply

• Within 1 month before departure if you are still in Korea【3†L1-L4】.

• If you miss this window, you have 5 years from the entitlement date to submit a claim; after that the right is extinguished, though you may re‑apply up to 10 years after age 60 or 5 years after death of the insured【3†L25-L31】.

• How to apply in Korea (before departure)

1. Visit any NPS office (except the Incheon Airport center) within one month of your flight【3†L1-L4】.
2. Submit:

• Application for Lump‑sum Refund
• Passport
• Alien Registration Card (ARC)
• Bank‑account proof (bank statement)
• Proof that your departure date is within one month【4†L1-L4】.

3. Receive a Certificate of Application Acceptance.

• Airport payment (if departing via Incheon)

• Go to the Incheon Airport NPS Center (Terminal 1, 1st floor, Booths 7–8) on the day of departure, between 09:00–18:00【3†L6-L9】.

• Bring passport and the Certificate of Application Acceptance【3†L10-L12】.

• Refund is paid in foreign currency (16 currencies supported; KRW is not available)【3†L13-L16】【4†L13-L16】.

• If you have already left Korea

• Apply by postal mail or through an authorized agent. Required documents: application form, passport copy, bank‑account proof, and overseas remittance application; documents must be notarized, apostilled, or consular‑attested as required【5†L18-L28】.

• You may also apply via a MOU with your home country’s social‑insurance agency where applicable【5†L30-L34】.

• Deadlines & prescription

• Apply within 1 month before departure or within 5 years after entitlement; otherwise the claim expires【3†L25-L31】.

• Even after prescription, re‑application is possible up to 10 years after age 60 or 5 years after death【3†L25-L31】.

• Hotlines for assistance

• 1350 – Labor Office (general pension queries)

• 132 – Legal Aid (document verification help)

• 1577‑0071 – Foreign Worker Counseling (visa‑related questions)