This comprehensive guide covers various settlement support programs for foreigners living in Korea. From visa-specific support programs, language and cultural education, medical assistance, to legal counseling, find systematic information to help with adaptation to life in Korea. Get a clear overview of the foreigner-specific support policies provided by government and local authorities.
Table of Contents
Current Status of Support for Foreigners
Korea is gradually transforming into a multicultural society, with over 2.8 million foreigners residing in the country as of 2025. The government operates various programs to support their stable settlement and social integration. In particular, the Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family are leading systematic support structures.
- Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters
- Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Multicultural Family Support Division
- Ministry of Employment and Labor Foreign Workforce Policy Division
- Local Government Foreign Support Departments
- Visa and Residence Support
- Language and Cultural Education
- Medical and Legal Support
- Employment and Business Support
- Multicultural Family Support Centers (246 locations)
- Foreign Worker Support Centers (42 locations)
- Global Centers (22 locations)
- Foreigner Comprehensive Support Centers (8 locations)
💡 Did you know? Starting in 2025, the government has launched an Integrated One-Stop Service for Foreigners, allowing visa extensions, residence registration, social insurance enrollment, and other procedures to be processed all at once.
The government establishes a Basic Plan for Foreign Policy annually, and based on this, various departments and local governments collaborate on foreign support projects. As of 2025, the budget for supporting foreign settlement is 158 billion KRW, a 12% increase from the previous year.
Support Programs by Visa Type
Foreign residents in Korea receive different types of support depending on their visa status. Let's examine the customized support programs based on residency purpose and qualifications.
1 Support for Marriage Immigrants and Multicultural Families
Multicultural Family Support Center Programs
Comprehensive support programs for marriage immigrants and multicultural families. Various services are provided at 246 centers nationwide.
- Eligible Recipients: Marriage immigrants (F-6 visa holders) and multicultural families
- Main Services: Korean language education, family education, counseling, interpretation and translation services, self-help groups
- Special Programs: Home visit education services, children's language development support
- How to Apply: Visit the nearest multicultural family support center or apply online
Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP)
This program helps immigrants adapt and become self-reliant through Korean language and culture education. Completing the program offers benefits for naturalization and visa changes.
- Eligible Recipients: All foreigners (regardless of visa type)
- Educational Content: Korean language courses (levels 0-4), Understanding Korean Society (level 5)
- Benefits: Exemption from the naturalization test, substitution for naturalization interviews, additional points for visa changes
- Tuition Fee: Free (textbook costs borne by participant)
Marriage immigrants receive preferential treatment for extending their period of stay and obtaining permanent residency and citizenship compared to other visa holders. Comprehensive family-based support is also provided, including educational support and language development assistance for children of multicultural families.
2 Support Programs for Foreign Workers
Foreign Worker Support Centers
These centers provide services to help foreign workers adapt to life in Korea and protect their rights. They operate in 42 locations across the country.
- Eligible Recipients: E-9, H-2 visa holding foreign workers
- Main Services: Grievance counseling, Korean language education, cultural experiences, consultation support
- Special Support: Industrial accident response, support for resolving unpaid wages, repatriation support
- How to Use: Visit the nearest support center or telephone consultation (1577-0071)
Foreign Employment Workplace Guidance & Inspection
The Ministry of Employment and Labor's guidance and inspection system for protecting foreign workers' working conditions and preventing human rights violations.
- Support Contents: Monitoring illegal employment, checking working conditions, investigating human rights violations
- How to Report: Ministry of Employment and Labor Foreign Workforce Counseling Center (1577-0071)
- Additional Support: Interpretation support, legal consultation, support for resolving unpaid wages
- Anonymous Reporting: Operation of an electronic reporting system without identity disclosure
Support for foreign workers focuses on overcoming language barriers, cultural adaptation, and legal protection. In particular, the response system for emergency situations such as unpaid wages, industrial accidents, and human rights violations has been strengthened.
King Sejong Institute Korean Language Education
A systematic Korean language education program for foreigners residing in Korea, offered free of charge at King Sejong Institutes and partner organizations.
- Educational Content: Korean language courses from beginner to advanced, Korean cultural education
- Class Formats: Offline lectures, online lectures, hybrid lectures
- Special Courses: Business Korean, Everyday Korean, Occupational Korean
- How to Apply: Online through the King Sejong Institute website or at nearby educational institutions
Global Village Center Cultural Programs
Cultural experience and exchange programs operated by Global Village Centers in Seoul and major cities.
- Program Types: Traditional cultural experiences, cooking classes, holiday events, cultural tours
- Eligible Participants: All foreigners (no visa restrictions)
- Participation Fee: Free or minimal material costs
- Benefits: Connection with Korean mentors, sharing life information, community formation
| Educational Institution | Main Programs | Target Audience | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multicultural Family Support Centers | Korean, Cooking, Cultural Experiences | Marriage Immigrants Priority | Free |
| Foreign Worker Support Centers | Korean, Computer, Cultural Experiences | Foreign Workers | Free |
| Global Centers | Language Exchange, Cultural Tours, Networking | All Foreigners | Free-Nominal Fee |
| University Language Institutes | Regular Korean Courses | All Foreigners | Paid (per semester) |
| Lifelong Learning Centers | Basic Korean, Everyday Korean | Local Foreign Residents | Free-Nominal Fee |
💡 Note: Language education institutions differ in class difficulty, time, and duration, so it's important to choose a program that matches your situation and purpose. Some programs assign you to appropriate classes through preliminary level tests.
2 Interpretation and Information Services
Multilingual Interpretation Services
Interpretation services for foreigners experiencing language barriers, supporting 19 languages.
- Supported Languages: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Russian, and 14 other languages
- Service Types: Phone interpretation (1577-1366), on-site interpretation, document translation
- Usage Areas: Medical, legal, educational, administrative, emergency situations, etc.
- Operating Hours: 24 hours (some language limitations), available anytime
Interpretation services are an important support system that lowers communication barriers and helps foreigners adapt to life in Korea. They are particularly helpful in emergency situations and complex administrative procedures.
Medical and Legal Support
One of the most challenging areas for foreigners residing in Korea is accessing medical services and resolving legal issues. The government operates various programs to support these needs.
1 Medical Support for Foreigners
Foreign Worker Medical Support Program
This program provides medical services to vulnerable groups such as uninsured foreign workers and their families, and marriage immigrants.
- Eligible Recipients: Uninsured foreigners, refugees, homeless people, etc.
- Support Contents: Hospitalization and surgery cost support, outpatient treatment cost support
- Support Range: Up to 5 million KRW per instance, up to 10 million KRW for serious illnesses
- How to Apply: Through national foreign worker support centers or social welfare departments at medical institutions
Multilingual Medical Interpretation Service
This service eliminates language barriers when using medical facilities and is available at major hospitals and health centers.
- Service Languages: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and 10 other languages
- How to Use: International clinics at major hospitals, 1339 (Health and Welfare Call Center)
- Support Contents: Medical interpretation, appointment scheduling, medical information
- Service Range: Support throughout the entire process from appointment to discharge
💡 For medical emergencies, contact 1339 (interpretation available in English, Chinese, and Japanese) or 119 (English response available). Foreigners can use emergency rooms regardless of health insurance status.
2 Legal Consultation and Support
Foreign Legal Support Center
This center provides free consultation and support services for various legal issues including residency status, human rights violations, and labor problems.
- Eligible Recipients: All foreigners (regardless of residency status)
- Support Contents: Legal consultation, legal document preparation, litigation support
- Main Consultation Areas: Immigration, labor, family, contracts, crime victimization, etc.
- How to Use: In-person consultation, phone consultation (132), online consultation
Foreign Human Rights Protection System
A support system by the National Human Rights Commission for foreigners who have experienced human rights violations or discrimination.
- Eligible Recipients: All foreigners who have experienced human rights violations or discrimination
- How to Report: Visit the National Human Rights Commission, call (1331), or report online
- Process: Consultation → Investigation → Remedy Measures (recommendations, mediation, etc.)
- Anonymous Reporting: Possible to report anonymously without revealing residency status
Legal support for foreigners ranges from free consultation to litigation representation. Legal support has been strengthened especially for vulnerable situations such as unpaid wages, industrial accidents, and domestic violence.
How to Utilize Support Programs
Let's examine methods and precautions for effectively utilizing various foreign support programs. Systematic approaches and information gathering are the keys to successful settlement in Korea.
1 Support Institution Utilization Strategies
Foreign Comprehensive Support Centers
These one-stop support centers offer various foreign support services in one location. They provide region-specific services.
- Major Centers: Seoul Global Center, Ansan Foreign Resident Center, Incheon Foreign Comprehensive Support Center, etc.
- Integrated Services: Consultation, interpretation and translation, education, culture, employment, medical, etc.
- How to Use: Visit the center near your residence (advance reservation recommended)
- Regional Specialization: Operation of customized programs tailored to each region's characteristics
To receive effective support, it's important to identify institutions suitable for your situation. You can receive more comprehensive support by combining services from multiple institutions rather than relying on a single institution.
2 Key Hotlines and Emergency Contacts
| Service Name | Phone Number | Supported Languages | Service Contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Comprehensive Information Center | 1345 | 19 languages | Immigration, residence, nationality, etc. |
| Danuri Call Center | 1577-1366 | 13 languages | Domestic violence, life info, interpretation |
| Foreign Workforce Counseling Center | 1577-0071 | 16 languages | Employment, wages, industrial accidents |
| Legal Aid Corporation | 132 | English, Chinese | Legal consultation, litigation support |
| Emergency Medical Information Center | 1339 | English, Chinese, Japanese | Medical interpretation, hospital info |
| Emergency Call Center | 112, 119 | Basic English support | Crime reporting, fire, emergencies |
Precautions
Please note the following when using foreigner support programs:
- Some services may have usage restrictions based on residency status.
- Check required documents beforehand.
- Some support may be closed when first-come-first-served or when budget is depleted.
- Waiting times may differ by language for interpretation services.
- Check personal authentication methods in advance for online applications.
If you have difficulty communicating in Korean, it's good to actively utilize interpretation services. You can receive support not only for simple language interpretation but also for cultural understanding and guidance on administrative procedures.
3 Mobile Apps and Online Platforms
Major Apps and Websites for Foreign Support
Access foreign support information and services anytime, anywhere through smartphone apps and websites.
- Danuri App: Comprehensive information app for marriage immigrants (13 languages)
- EPS TOPIK: Employment and Korean language learning app for foreign workers
- Living in Korea: Life information app for foreign residents (11 languages)
- Hi Korea: Online application for immigration services (hikorea.go.kr)
- Visit Medical Korea: Foreign medical information and hospital finder app
Using mobile apps allows you to access a lot of information and services without visiting offline. Apps with built-in translation functions are particularly helpful in lowering language barriers.
Tip
For successful settlement in Korea, it's important to actively utilize government support programs. Especially in the initial settlement phase, participating in language education and cultural adaptation programs is recommended.
Support programs are constantly changing and expanding, so it's necessary to regularly update related information. Check the latest information through foreign communities or support centers, and receive customized support suitable for your situation. In particular, benefits differ depending on visa type and period of stay, so it's important to accurately understand your eligibility requirements.
💡 For additional inquiries, please contact the Foreign Comprehensive Information Center (1345). Consultation is available in 19 languages.
