The Korea Immigration & Foreign Residents Support Center (출입국·외국인지원센터, Korea Immigration Service) dormitory is the only government-run national refugee housing facility in Korea, operated by the Ministry of Justice. Under Article 45 of the Refugee Act, it provides accommodation, meals, and basic medical support to refugee applicants and others, and runs programs — including Korean language classes, orientation to Korean society, and basic legal education — to help residents settle into Korean life as quickly as possible. If you are in financial difficulty and need a place to stay, this facility can be a very good starting point. It is also worth reading the guide on residence obligations and fines for refugee applicants alongside this article.

Step-by-Step Overview

  1. 1. Visit Your Local Korea Immigration Service Office for a Consultation

    Visit the Korea Immigration Service office or branch nearest to where you live and receive an individual consultation.

  2. 2. Health Examination and Bank Account Opening

    Have a health check-up to confirm your health status before admission, and open a bank account to receive your livelihood support allowance.

  3. 3. Prepare Your Documents and Visit the Center

    Gather the documents you were advised to bring (including your health examination results), then visit the Korea Immigration & Foreign Residents Support Center on Yeongjongdo Island in Incheon in person.

  4. 4. Admission Review

    Your financial situation and residency status will be reviewed. If approved by the Minister of Justice, you will be selected for admission.

  5. 5. Admission and Daily Life

    You will live at the facility for up to six months, receiving a range of support including accommodation, meals, medical care, and educational programs.

  6. 6. Departure and Independent Living

    After leaving the facility, you begin settling into Korean society. Resettlement refugees (재정착난민) may separately apply for housing cost support.

Location and Contact Information

Contact details and the address may change, so before visiting please call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center — the 24-hour multilingual helpline for foreigners) or check the latest information on HiKorea (the Korea Immigration Service’s online portal for foreigners).

Services Provided

  • Accommodation and Meals: A room and meals are provided free of charge.
  • Medical Support: Basic healthcare is provided.
  • Educational Programs:
    • Korean language classes (offered at different levels)
    • Korean society orientation
    • Basic legal education
    • Various other classes to help with adjusting to life in Korea
  • Childcare Support: Childcare services are available for infants and young children.
  • Sports Facilities: The center’s sports facilities are open for residents to use.

Over the six months you live there, these programs help you build the foundation to settle independently into Korean society after you leave.

Eligibility for Admission

You may apply if you fall into any one of the following categories and are in need of housing support:

  • Refugee applicants
  • Recognized refugees
  • Resettlement refugees
  • Humanitarian status holders

Priority Admission

The following people receive priority consideration for admission:

  • People caring for infants or young children
  • People who are pregnant
  • People with disabilities
  • Others who have a particular need for humanitarian support

Admission Restrictions

Because the facility is a shared living environment, admission may be restricted if a person has a condition that could be transmitted to other residents.

How to Apply

Step 1: Visit Your Nearest Korea Immigration Service Office or Branch

First, visit the Korea Immigration Service office or branch nearest to where you live and receive an individual consultation. A case officer will guide you through the full process. After the consultation, you will typically be advised to do the following two things:

  • Health examination: A check-up to confirm your health status.
  • Bank account opening: You will need a Korean bank account to receive your livelihood support allowance.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents and Visit the Korea Immigration & Foreign Residents Support Center

Gather the documents you were advised to bring at the Korea Immigration Service office (including your health examination results), then visit the Korea Immigration & Foreign Residents Support Center in Incheon in person. Additional documents such as the admission application form are available at the center, so you can fill them out on-site.

Step 3: Review and Notification of Outcome

After you apply, your financial situation and residency status will be reviewed. If you are selected for admission following approval by the Minister of Justice, you will be admitted to the facility.

Length of Stay

The maximum stay is six months. The length of stay may change depending on policy, so please check the latest information with 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.

Housing Cost Support After Leaving the Facility (Resettlement Refugees Only)

There is a program to help with the cost of finding housing after you leave the dormitory. It is currently available to resettlement refugees only.

Type of SupportDetailsRepayment Required?
Deposit SupportUp to 20,000,000 won in rental deposit, loaned interest-free for two yearsMust be repaid after two years
Monthly Rent SupportUp to 800,000 won per month, for up to one yearNo repayment required

The support amounts and time limits in the table above may change due to policy updates. Before applying, please call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center, with multilingual support in Korean, English, Chinese, and other languages) or confirm the latest information with your local Korea Immigration Service office.