[EN] Leaving Korea Soon? How to Claim Your National Pension Refund (NPS)

Checking important tax and pension procedures before leaving Korea.

Tax and Pension Checks Many Foreign Workers Forget

If you worked in Korea as a foreign resident, there are two things you should check before leaving:

Year-End Tax Settlement (연말정산)

National Pension Service (NPS) refund eligibility

Many people wait too long and end up rushing during their final week in Korea.

The 19% Foreign Tax Rate Is Not Always Better

Some foreign workers in Korea may qualify for the 19% flat tax rate system.

But the flat rate does not always give the biggest refund.

Depending on:

income

deductions

insurance payments

family status

the normal progressive tax system may sometimes be more favorable.

Many employees ask their HR or accounting department to compare both methods before choosing.

PASS Verification Problems Are Common

To use the Korean National Tax Service Hometax system, many foreign residents use mobile verification apps such as PASS.

Your phone registration information usually needs to match your Alien Registration Card (ARC) information.

If the information does not match, login verification may fail.

Some Foreign Residents Can Receive Pension Refunds

Some foreign residents may qualify for a lump-sum refund from Korea’s National Pension Service before departure.

Eligibility may depend on:

nationality

visa type

contribution history

and Korea’s pension agreements with your home country.

Some countries allow lump-sum refunds.

Other agreements may combine pension contribution periods instead of providing direct cash payments.

Documents Often Requested by the NPS

Foreign residents are often asked to prepare:

passport

Alien Registration Card (ARC)

flight or departure information

overseas bank account details

before visiting an NPS office.

Requirements may vary depending on nationality and local branch procedures.

Don’t Wait Until Your Last Week in Korea

Tax records, pension checks, and document preparation can sometimes take longer than expected.

Checking early may help avoid delays before departure.

This article is based on publicly available Korean administrative information as of May 2026. Rules and eligibility requirements may change depending on government policy and individual circumstances.