Support for asylum seekers

Life can become difficult while the assessment drags on. Check what support exists.

What is available (outline)

• Living cost support — with defined requirements and periods.
• Housing support — facilities such as immigration support centres.
• Medical support — referrals for emergency and essential care. Free clinics are also available. See free-clinics.
• Children's education — primary and secondary education is meant to be available regardless of status.
• Korean classes and interpretation — arranged through support organisations.

Eligibility, scope and duration depend on law and budget. Always confirm with 1345, your immigration office and support organisations.

How to apply

1. Ask the refugee section of your immigration office.
2. Contact a refugee support organisation for help with the process — the most practical route.
3. Prepare the documents and apply.
4. If medical or living needs are urgent, also ask 129 (Health and Welfare Call Centre).

If you have children

• They can attend school. Ask the education office or school.
• Vaccinations and essential care — consult a public health centre.
• Check community child centres and meal support too. See free-meal.

Where to go

• 1345 Immigration Contact Centre (20 languages)
• The refugee section of your immigration office
• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre
• Refugee support and public interest legal organisations
• 1577-1366 interpretation and your local public health centre

Questions people ask

Can I work? Permission has defined requirements and timing. Working without it is a violation. Always confirm with 1345 and your immigration office.

Can my child attend school? Primary and secondary education is meant to be available regardless of residence status. Ask the school or education office.

I'm ill and can't afford hospital. Look into free clinics and public health centres, and ask 129 about medical cost support. See foreigner-medical-support.

I'm not receiving any support. Explain the situation to a support organisation. The requirements or process can be revisited.

Take care

Beware anyone asking for money to "get you the support payments". Public support is applied for free of charge. Also always confirm whether you may work. Being caught working without permission severely damages your assessment.

Related

refugee-application · humanitarian-stay · free-clinics · foreigner-medical-support · emergency-welfare

Source

Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice www.hikorea.go.kr / As of 2026-08