The insurance you paid for: what you can claim
The day we opened the government source and matched the numbers. This is not a labor attorney's review.
If you work on E-9 or H-2, several insurances come with your job. Some you pay yourself, some the company pays for you. If you do not know which are yours, you can miss money you could claim.
Four insurances for foreign workers
| Insurance | Who takes it out |
|---|---|
| Departure guarantee insurance | Company — it replaces severance pay |
| Wage guarantee insurance | Company — covers unpaid wages |
| Return cost insurance | You — within 3 months from the day the labor contract takes effect (for new E-9 workers, the day of arrival) |
| Accident insurance | You — within 15 days from the same day |
Accident insurance is not only for work injuries
You can claim return cost insurance from the insurer within 3 years of the day you become entitled. If 3 years have passed, check whether it was transferred to the Human Resources Development Service of Korea and apply for the dormant insurance money. For insurer claims call 1600-0266; for applications to the Service call 1644-8000.
Employment insurance — unemployment benefit needs a separate application
- Whether employment insurance covers E-9 and H-2 workers depends on the working conditions.
- Unemployment benefit is only available if a separate application to join was made, and only if you meet the conditions.
- To join, ask your company to apply. The company must submit the application form to the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service. If the company refuses to apply, or you do not know whether you joined, ask 1588-0075 or 1350.
Read next
Rules change often, and the same rule applies differently to different people. Check your own case with 1350 (Ministry of Employment and Labor customer center). Its phone counseling in foreign languages is in English and Chinese. For your own language, ask 1345 (Immigration Contact Center).
This is reference material. Rules change often — always confirm with the hotline below before you file anything.
Sources
- Easy Law — Insurance for foreign workers (E-9·H-2) 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보 — 외국인근로자 전용보험 checked 2026-09-25
- Easy Law — Four social insurances for foreign workers 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보 — 외국인근로자 4대보험 checked 2026-09-25
- Ministry of Employment and Labor — Employment insurance for foreign workers 고용노동부 — 외국인근로자 고용보험 적용 확대 안내 checked 2026-09-25