Getting help with living in South Korea
Help from the South Korean government
For any questions about moving to or living in South Korea, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Seoul cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in South Korea.
Professional help in South Korea
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in South Korea, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for South Korea to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit South Korea. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for South Korea before you travel.
Visas and residency
Check which South Korean visa (in Korean and English) you need to live in South Korea. Use the South Korean visa navigator (in Korean and English) to understand the options available to you.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- live with family in South Korea
- invest or do business in South Korea
- complete training or an internship
Read the Korea Visa Application Centre’s guidance on how to apply for a visa.
If you want to extend your visa:
For more information, read guidance from the:
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, you need to register as a foreign resident in South Korea and get your foreigner registration card. Read the Korea Immigration Service’s guidance on foreign resident registration.
To register, you’ll need to make an appointment at your local immigration office on the Hi Korea website.
If you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in South Korea.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on the F5 visa in the visa navigator on the Hi Korea website.
Citizenship
In general, South Korea does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a South Korean citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for South Korean citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Seoul cannot help with South Korean visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in South Korea
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
South Korea does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you are registered with the South Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) or have appropriate private health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from South Korean or international providers.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
Working in South Korea
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in South Korea, you need a work visa. Your employer will usually have to sponsor your visa application.
The Korea visa portal (in Korean and English) explains the different work visas available to you. You can also read the South Korean government’s guidance on work visas and business visas.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide a legalised and apostilled university degree. Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in South Korea, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. Read guidance on recognition of qualifications in South Korea.
Driving in South Korea
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in South Korea, in safety and security in the travel advice for South Korea. This includes information on driving in South Korea, including driving licence rules.
If you live in South Korea, you’ll need a South Korean driving licence.
The Korean Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD) provides information on exchanging a foreign driving licence in South Korea. KoROAD’s guidance lists an ‘embassy certificate’ as a required document, but the British Embassy in Seoul does not provide this service. You’ll need to get your UK licence legalised instead. Read documents for British people abroad for guidance on how to do this.
Read KoROAD’s guidance on how to get a new South Korean driving licence.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a South Korean disabled parking permit. Contact your local authority in South Korea or KoROAD (in Korean) to find out how to apply.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in South Korea, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with South Korea so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the South Korean National Tax Service (NTS) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in South Korea. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in South Korea.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a South Korean pension
You may be able to claim a South Korean pension if you have worked and paid contributions to the National Pension Plan.
If you work in South Korea, there are mandatory deductions for pension insurance. It is not normally possible to claim back pension insurance payments unless you have been resident in South Korea for at least 10 years.
Contact the South Korean National Pension Service or your employer to find out whether you can claim.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming South Korean benefits
You may be entitled to some South Korean benefits.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
Buying and renting property in South Korea
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in South Korea if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in South Korea
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
South Korean elections
You may be eligible to vote in some South Korean elections.
Read guidance on the right to vote and stand in elections in South Korea.
Studying in South Korea
If you plan to study in South Korea, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The South Korean Ministry of Education provides information about the education system in South Korea.
All children aged 6 to 15 must attend school in South Korea.
For more information, including how to enrol your child in school, contact your local authority in South Korea.
Childcare
The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare and South Korean Ministry of Education are responsible for early childhood education and care in South Korea.
Depending on where you live in Korea, you may be entitled to free or subsidised childcare. Contact your local authority in South Korea for more information.
Read guidance on:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in South Korea, register the birth with the South Korean authorities. You can do this in person, by registered mail or online. You can find more information on the South Korean government portal for foreign nationals.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in South Korea, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.
Same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in South Korea.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Korea Legal Aid Centre for Family Relations offers guidance on divorce in South Korea.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in South Korea.
Documents for British people in South Korea
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in South Korea, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to South Korea, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
If you want to leave South Korea and need a criminal record clearance from the South Korean authorities, you can apply for a Certificate of No Criminal Record (‘Sin Won Zung Myung Seo’).
You can do this:
- at your local police station, if you’re currently resident in South Korea
- at your nearest South Korean Embassy, if you have already left South Korea
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the South Korean authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Getting help with living in South Korea
Help from the South Korean government
For any questions about moving to or living in South Korea, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Seoul cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in South Korea.
Professional help in South Korea
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in South Korea, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for South Korea to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit South Korea. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for South Korea before you travel.
Visas and residency
Check which South Korean visa (in Korean and English) you need to live in South Korea. Use the South Korean visa navigator (in Korean and English) to understand the options available to you.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- live with family in South Korea
- invest or do business in South Korea
- complete training or an internship
Read the Korea Visa Application Centre’s guidance on how to apply for a visa.
If you want to extend your visa:
For more information, read guidance from the:
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, you need to register as a foreign resident in South Korea and get your foreigner registration card. Read the Korea Immigration Service’s guidance on foreign resident registration.
To register, you’ll need to make an appointment at your local immigration office on the Hi Korea website.
If you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in South Korea.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on the F5 visa in the visa navigator on the Hi Korea website.
Citizenship
In general, South Korea does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a South Korean citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for South Korean citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Seoul cannot help with South Korean visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in South Korea
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
South Korea does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you are registered with the South Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) or have appropriate private health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from South Korean or international providers.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
Working in South Korea
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in South Korea, you need a work visa. Your employer will usually have to sponsor your visa application.
The Korea visa portal (in Korean and English) explains the different work visas available to you. You can also read the South Korean government’s guidance on work visas and business visas.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide a legalised and apostilled university degree. Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in South Korea, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. Read guidance on recognition of qualifications in South Korea.
Driving in South Korea
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in South Korea, in safety and security in the travel advice for South Korea. This includes information on driving in South Korea, including driving licence rules.
If you live in South Korea, you’ll need a South Korean driving licence.
The Korean Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD) provides information on exchanging a foreign driving licence in South Korea. KoROAD’s guidance lists an ‘embassy certificate’ as a required document, but the British Embassy in Seoul does not provide this service. You’ll need to get your UK licence legalised instead. Read documents for British people abroad for guidance on how to do this.
Read KoROAD’s guidance on how to get a new South Korean driving licence.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a South Korean disabled parking permit. Contact your local authority in South Korea or KoROAD (in Korean) to find out how to apply.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in South Korea, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with South Korea so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the South Korean National Tax Service (NTS) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in South Korea. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in South Korea.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a South Korean pension
You may be able to claim a South Korean pension if you have worked and paid contributions to the National Pension Plan.
If you work in South Korea, there are mandatory deductions for pension insurance. It is not normally possible to claim back pension insurance payments unless you have been resident in South Korea for at least 10 years.
Contact the South Korean National Pension Service or your employer to find out whether you can claim.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming South Korean benefits
You may be entitled to some South Korean benefits.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
Buying and renting property in South Korea
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in South Korea if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in South Korea
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
South Korean elections
You may be eligible to vote in some South Korean elections.
Read guidance on the right to vote and stand in elections in South Korea.
Studying in South Korea
If you plan to study in South Korea, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The South Korean Ministry of Education provides information about the education system in South Korea.
All children aged 6 to 15 must attend school in South Korea.
For more information, including how to enrol your child in school, contact your local authority in South Korea.
Childcare
The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare and South Korean Ministry of Education are responsible for early childhood education and care in South Korea.
Depending on where you live in Korea, you may be entitled to free or subsidised childcare. Contact your local authority in South Korea for more information.
Read guidance on:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in South Korea, register the birth with the South Korean authorities. You can do this in person, by registered mail or online. You can find more information on the South Korean government portal for foreign nationals.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in South Korea, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.
Same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in South Korea.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Korea Legal Aid Centre for Family Relations offers guidance on divorce in South Korea.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in South Korea.
Documents for British people in South Korea
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in South Korea, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to South Korea, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
If you want to leave South Korea and need a criminal record clearance from the South Korean authorities, you can apply for a Certificate of No Criminal Record (‘Sin Won Zung Myung Seo’).
You can do this:
- at your local police station, if you’re currently resident in South Korea
- at your nearest South Korean Embassy, if you have already left South Korea
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the South Korean authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
This article was originally published on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-south-korea. It is shared here under a Creative Commons license.
