Question
Do foreign workers qualify for industrial accident insurance?
As of · sources retrieved from official Korean authorities
Foreign workers are covered by Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance unless their job is classified as an excluded “special‑type employment” listed by law; otherwise the employer must file an exclusion and obtain approval. Full details below.
The rule this rests on
Article 75 with respect to the procedure for the payment of job-seeking benefits to a claimant for benefits payable. In such cases, the "competent employment security office having jurisdiction over the place of application" shall be construed as "competent employment security office having jurisdiction over the application of application of the deceased eligible recipient", and "eligible recipient" as "claimant for benefits payable". | Article 78 Deleted. <Jun. 30, 2015> | | Article 79 (Proce
Article 65 (1), (2) and (4) of the Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to decisions on beneficiaries of any unpaid insurance benefits as prescribed in Article 81 of the Act. | Article 78 (Scope, etc. of Restrictions on Payment of Insurance Benefits) | | (1) | If an eligible beneficiary of insurance benefits falls under Article 83 (1) 1 of the Act, the Service shall not pay him/her an amount equivalent to temporary disability compensation benefits or injury-disease compensation annuities for 20 da
- Standard coverage: All workers, including foreign workers, are subject to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act.
- Exclusions: If the position is a “special‑type employment” (e.g., certain short‑term or domestic‑help jobs), the employer must apply for exclusion and the National Health Insurance Service must approve it within 3 years of the Act’s enforcement.
- If you think you’re excluded:
- Ask your employer whether your role is listed as a special‑type employment.
- Request the exclusion application and approval notice.
- If denied coverage without proper justification, file a complaint with the local Labor Office (☎ 1350) or the Foreign Worker Counseling Center (☎ 1577‑0071).
- If you are covered and get injured:
- Report the accident to your employer immediately and obtain the “Industrial Accident Report” form.
- Submit the form to the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service within 3 days of the injury.
- You can claim medical treatment, compensation, and rehabilitation benefits.
Hotlines for assistance
- Labor Office: 1350
- Foreign Worker Counseling Center: 1577‑0071
- Legal Aid: 132
Sources fetched 2026-09-19 · Korean laws change — verify with the issuing authority before acting.