Leaving Korea checklist

1. Two months out: give notice on your housing

   Done

   Korean leases generally require notice, and jeonse or large wolse deposits are only returned when the landlord has a new tenant or the lease term ends. Give written notice by KakaoTalk or text so there is a record, and confirm the return date in writing.

   • Agree in advance who pays for cleaning and any repairs.
   • If the landlord is evasive about the deposit, the local rental dispute mediation committee (임대차분쟁조정위원회) is free and effective.
   • Do not move out of the registered address until the deposit is returned — your registered residence is part of what protects your claim.

2. Ask your employer for an early year-end settlement

   Done

   If you leave mid-year, your employer must run the year-end tax settlement (연말정산) early, in your final pay period rather than the following February. Most payroll teams know this; some need reminding.

   • Ask for it explicitly, in writing, at least a month before your last day.
   • Gather your deduction evidence now — this is your last chance to claim.
   • Get a copy of your income tax withholding receipt (원천징수영수증). You will want it for your own country's tax return.
   • If you elected the 19% flat rate, the settlement is simple; if not, deductions matter.

3. Check whether you can claim a pension lump sum

   Done

   National Pension contributions can be refunded as a lump sum on permanent departure — but only if your country has a social security agreement with Korea or grants the same right to Koreans. This is nationality-dependent and the amounts are substantial: both your contributions and your employer's, plus interest.

   • Check your eligibility with NPS on 1355 or at nps.or.kr.
   • You can claim from a Korean NPS branch before departure, or from abroad afterwards.
   • Claiming before you leave is far simpler — you still have the bank account, the phone number and the card.
   • You will need your passport, flight ticket, bank details and registration card.

4. Settle health insurance and utilities

   Done
   • Call NHIS on 1577-1000 to close your coverage and settle the final premium. Arrears follow your registration number if you ever return.
   • Final meter readings for electricity, gas and water. Ask the landlord to be present.
   • Cancel internet — early termination fees are common, so check the contract.
   • Cancel any gym, streaming or subscription direct debits. These outlive the account they are paid from and generate arrears.

5. Surrender your driving licence, if you exchanged one

   Done

   Go to a driver's licence examination office with your Korean licence and the receipt you were given at exchange. They return your original foreign licence. Without the receipt this becomes considerably harder.

6. Collect the documents you will want later

   Done

   These are all easy to obtain in Korea and difficult to obtain from abroad. Get PDFs and paper copies.

   • Income tax withholding receipt (원천징수영수증) for each year you worked.
   • Certificate of employment (재직증명서) and career certificate (경력증명서) — essential if you ever apply for an E-7 or F-2-7 later.
   • Certificate of alien registration facts (외국인등록사실증명) — proves your residence period, which matters for any future F-5 application.
   • Academic transcripts and diplomas, if you studied here.
   • Medical records, if you have an ongoing condition.

7. Transfer your money out

   Done
   • Bring your income tax withholding receipt or tax payment certificate to the bank — it evidences the source of funds and removes the annual remittance cap.
   • Compare the bank against licensed transfer operators; the difference on a large sum is meaningful.
   • Do the transfer before you close the account, and confirm it has arrived.
   • Leave a small balance until the last standing direct debit has cleared.

8. Last week: close accounts and cancel the phone

   Done

   Close the bank account in branch — it cannot be done properly from abroad, and an account attached to a cancelled registration number gets frozen. Cancel the phone contract last of all, after every verification code you need has arrived.

   • Ask for the closing statement in writing.
   • Return the debit and credit cards.
   • Check for early-termination fees on the phone contract.

9. At the airport: surrender your registration card

   Done

   If you are leaving permanently, hand in your registration card at immigration on departure. If you intend to return within your remaining period of stay, apply for a re-entry permit instead and keep the card.

   Note that this is the point of no return for anything that needs the card. Confirm your pension claim, tax settlement and deposit are all resolved first.

Frequently asked

Can I claim the pension refund after I have left?

Yes, from abroad, but it is slower and needs documents certified overseas. Claiming in person at an NPS branch before departure is markedly easier. Either way, check first whether your nationality qualifies — many do not.

My landlord will not return my deposit.

Do not leave the country with this unresolved if you can avoid it. The rental dispute mediation committee is free, and there is a legal mechanism — 임차권등기명령 — that preserves your claim against the property even after you move out. Get advice before your flight, not after.

Will unpaid bills follow me?

They attach to your registration number. If you return to Korea later on any status, outstanding health insurance premiums, taxes and telecom debts resurface and can block a visa extension. Settle them.

Do I need to file a Korean tax return after leaving?

If the employer's early year-end settlement covered everything, generally no. If you had other income, or left before the settlement was run, you may need to file. Ask the NTS English helpline on 1588-0560 before you go.