Table of Contents
- Are Foreign Workers Eligible for Severance Pay and National Pension Refunds?
- Criteria and Calculation for Severance Pay
- What is the National Pension Refund System?
- Eligible Countries and Conditions
- Application Procedures and Required Documents
- Responsible Institutions and Official Websites
1. Are Foreign Workers Eligible for Severance Pay and National Pension Refunds?
Foreign workers in Korea, including those on an E-9 visa, are eligible for severance pay and a refund of national pension contributions. If certain legal requirements are met, a lump sum can be received upon retirement, and an application for pension refund can be made after returning to one’s home country. Please check the official site for eligibility.
2. Criteria and Calculation for Severance Pay
Severance pay is granted to employees who have worked for more than one year.
The criteria apply equally to Korean and foreign workers, and are calculated as follows:
Severance Pay Formula
👉 Average daily wage × 30 days × Years of service ÷ 12 months
Example: Monthly wage of 2,400,000 KRW, 3 years of service
→ Eligible to receive approximately 6,000,000 KRW or more
📌 Severance pay must be paid within 14 days of retirement. Interest can be claimed if delayed.
3. What is the National Pension Refund System?
Foreign workers may be required to enroll in the national pension system. Some nationalities are eligible for a refund of pension contributions after leaving Korea.
This is called the "Lump-sum Refund upon Departure" and applies when workers retire or return home after their visa expires.
4. Eligible Countries and Conditions
Pension refunds are available only to countries that have signed a social security agreement with Korea.
| Eligible Countries | Notes |
| Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, etc. | Includes most E-9 visa countries |
| China, Vietnam | Countries with signed agreements |
| Nepal, Myanmar, etc. | Check individually |
📌 Refunds may not be possible if no agreement is in place. Please verify through the official site.
5. Application Procedures and Required Documents
Severance Pay Application Procedure
- Prepare a retirement confirmation with your employer
- Verify your bank account or remittance method
- Submit a retirement confirmation from the workplace
Download Official Forms for E-9 Workers – Severance & Pension
E-9 외국인근로자를 위한 퇴직금·국민연금 신청서 모음 – 공식 양식 다운로드
목차퇴직금 관련 신청서 다운로드국민연금 환급 관련 신청서 다운로드사회보장협정 확인용 자료유의사항 및 작성 시 팁 한국에서 퇴직하거나 귀국을 앞둔 E-9 외국인근로자를 위한 퇴직금과 국
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National Pension Refund Procedure
- Visit the NPS website or a local branch
- Fill out the Lump-sum Refund Application
- Submit passport, Alien Registration Card, and remittance account info
- Refund is processed 1–3 months after departure confirmation
6. Responsible Institutions and Official Websites
1. For Severance Pay Inquiries: Ministry of Employment and Labor
2. For Pension Refunds: National Pension Service (NPS)
3. For Social Security Agreement Confirmation: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
