Invest KOREA

If a foreigner is a national health insurance subscriber or a dependent family member of a national health insurance subscriber, she can receive the same benefits for medical expenses for pregnancy and childbirth as Korean nationals. ◎ Benefits for medical expenses for pregnancy and childbirth under the national health insurance system (Article 50 of the National Health Insurance Act; Article 23 of the Enforcement Decree of the same Act) – In order to reduce the medical costs for pregnancy and childbirth, and to create a more pregnancy-friendly society, the government provides a voucher (National Happiness Card*) that can be used to pay for the medical costs for pregnancy and childbirth (expenses both covered/uncovered by insurance) when settling co-payment expenses (implemented on December 15, 2008) ◎ Eligibility – National health insurance subscriber or a subscriber’s dependent whose pregnancy or childbirth has been confirmed (including miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy) ◎ Payment amount – For each case of pregnancy, KRW 600,000 per fetus (KRW 1 million in the case of multiple fetuses) ◎ Pregnant women residing in a region without reliable delivery facilities* at the time of application with the residing period lasting at least 30 consecutive days receive additional payment of KRW 200,000. ◎ Period of use – Date of commencement: Voucher issuance date ※ If there is a National Happiness Card that has been issued previously, the voucher may be used from the date of application (date when credit points start to accumulate) with no additional issuance. – Date of expiration: One year from the date of childbirth (expected delivery date, date of miscarriage diagnosis) ※The amount that has not been used within the period shall automatically be eliminated. ◎ Scope of usage – When paying co-payment (not covered by insurance) for medical services from a pregnant woman's pregnancy/birth, and purchasing prescribed medicine and treatment – When paying co-payment (not covered by insurance) for medical services to infants of less than one year of age, and purchasing prescribed medicine and treatment ◎ How to use the card – Medical costs are paid at the medical/treatment agemcy witth the use of voucher (National Happiness Voucher) ◎ Method of application: Apply by visiting the National Health Insurance Service or its webpage. ※ For details, visit the webpage of the National Health Insurance Service (www.nhis.or.kr) ▶ Cyber Help Center.

The holder of a driver's license issued from an organization of authority from overseas can have the validity of the license confirmed through document submission, such as a confirmation notice from the Embassy. When the foreign driver’s license is confirmed to be valid, the license holder can have it exchanged with a Korean license by undergoing an aptitude test, or an aptitude test and a simplified written exam. – In the case of a license issued by a country that recognizes a Korean driver's license, the license holder only needs to take an aptitude test (physical examination). The list of countries that recognize the Korean driver's license can be viewed at the Road Traffic Authority's public website for safe driving (https://www.safedriving.or.kr). – The holder of a license that has been issued by a country that does not recognize the Korean driver's license must take an aptitude test and a simplified written exam. Foreign investors with status of stay of D-8, his/her spouse and his/her children younger than 19 (not married) are exempt from the written examination. They can have their license exchanged at KOTRA’s Investment Consulting Center. – Documents to be submitted: Original copy of foreign driver's license, original copy of passport, alien registration card, 3 sheets of color photo taken within 6 months (3.5cm x 4.5cm), Embassy‘s confirmation of validity of driver's license, certificate of entry and exit (from the date of birth to the application date for license issuance), issuance fee of KRW 8,000 ※There is no physical examination room in KOTRA’s Investment Consulting Center. A D-8 visa holder visiting the Investment Consulting Center in order to have his/her driver's license exchanged shall receive physical examination in the designated hospital, after which he/she shall submit the physical examination report. ※ In the case of foreign licenses, the effectiveness is acknowledged only for full licenses with the expiration period still remaining. Temporary, learner, provisional, probationary licenses or driver permits or certificates cannot be exchanged into a Korean license.

The process is different depending on the status of stay, but in most cases, if one holds an alien registration certificate, he/she can visit a local telecom store to subscribe to a cell phone plan.