Calculating and claiming severance pay
If you worked continuously for a qualifying period, you get severance pay when you leave. Whether you resigned or were dismissed does not matter.
Who this covers
- Workers with continuous service beyond the qualifying period
- Workers whose weekly hours meet the threshold
- Nationality and visa status make no difference
What to know
- It is calculated from the average wage over a set period before leaving. Bonuses and allowances may be included.
- It must be paid within a set period after you leave. Late payment can accrue interest.
- Some companies run retirement pension schemes (DB/DC). In that case you receive it from the financial institution.
- For E-9 workers, departure guarantee insurance serves this purpose. See the severance-departure guide.
Steps
- Confirm your start and end dates.
- Gather wage records from before you left. Payslips, transfer records.
- Ask the company to pay. Keep it in messages.
- If the deadline passes, get advice from 1350 and file a complaint.
What you need
- Labour contract and proof of start date
- Recent payslips and transfer records
- Passport and Alien Registration Card
- A bank account in your own name
Where to go
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor (calculation and claims)
- Your regional labour office · labor.moel.go.kr
- Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service 1588-0075 (retirement pension)
- Your local support centre for foreign workers
Questions people ask
They say "foreigners don't get severance". Not true. If you meet the conditions, you receive it regardless of nationality.
I changed workplace partway through. It is calculated per workplace. Confirm each period of service.
I have to leave the country and haven't been paid. Keep your account open before departure and tell the labour office and 1350. There are ways to receive it after leaving.
I don't know how much I am owed. 1350 or a support centre can help calculate it. Bring your payslips.
Take care
If asked to sign a "no severance" statement when leaving, do not sign. Legal rights are not erased by a waiver, but the dispute drags on.
Related
severance-departure · annual-leave · unpaid-wages-report · wage-guarantee-fund
Source
Ministry of Employment and Labor www.moel.go.kr / As of 2026-08