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Question

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

As of · sources retrieved from official Korean authorities

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.

The rule this rests on

[6]국민연금법Article 1

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided , That the amended provisions of Article 3 (1) 3 and 5, subparagraph 5 of Article 9, Articles 17 (1), 18, 19, 51 (1), 57 (4), 58 (2), 77 (2), the latter part of Article 80 (1) and Article 91 (1) 6 shall enter into force on January 1, 2008.

[7]국민연금법Article 1

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided , That the amended provisions of Article 3 (1) 3 and 5, subparagraph 5 of Article 9, Articles 17 (1), 18, 19, 51 (1), 57 (4), 58 (2), 77 (2), the latter part of Article 80 (1) and Article 91 (1) 6 shall enter into force on January 1, 2008.

  • Eligibility

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

  • 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.

  • The refund is only paid to nationals of the 24‑country agreement list or the 25‑country reciprocity list.

  • 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.

  • When to apply

  • Within 1 month before departure if you are still in Korea.

  • 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.

  • How to apply in Korea (before departure)

  1. Visit any NPS office (except the Incheon Airport center) within one month of your flight.
  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.
  1. 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.

  • Bring passport and the Certificate of Application Acceptance.

  • Refund is paid in foreign currency (16 currencies supported; KRW is not available).

  • 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.

  • You may also apply via a MOU with your home country’s social‑insurance agency where applicable.

  • Deadlines & prescription

  • Apply within 1 month before departure or within 5 years after entitlement; otherwise the claim expires.

  • Even after prescription, re‑application is possible up to 10 years after age 60 or 5 years after death.

  • Hotlines for assistance

  • 1350 – Labor Office (general pension queries)

  • 132 – Legal Aid (document verification help)

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

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Sources fetched 2026-09-19 · Korean laws change — verify with the issuing authority before acting.

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