While your refugee status determination is in progress, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) can pay a monthly allowance for a set period to asylum seekers who are facing financial hardship. The legal basis is Article 40 of the Refugee Act and Article 17 of the Enforcement Decree of the Refugee Act. Waiting for a decision can make daily life very difficult, and we hope this program can offer you some relief during that time.

Who Can Apply

You may apply if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • You are currently an asylum seeker (refugee applicant) whose refugee status determination is ongoing
  • You are in financial hardship and need support
  • You are selected as a recipient through the assessment process

Who Is Excluded

You will generally not be eligible if:

  • Your recognized income amount exceeds the support threshold
  • You are already receiving sufficient support from a civic or religious organization
  • You are a specific category of asylum seeker whose support is restricted under Articles 21 or 44 of the Refugee Act
  • It is apparent that your application is for the purpose of extending your stay or for economic reasons, or you are excluded on budgetary or policy grounds

Application Period

  • You must apply within 6 months of the date you filed your asylum application.
  • Applications submitted after 6 months will not be accepted.
  • The allowance is paid for 6 months starting from the date you filed your asylum application, not from the date you applied for the allowance.

If possible, apply for the livelihood allowance at the same time you file your asylum application. The later you apply, the fewer months of support you will actually receive.

Exceptionally, if there are unavoidable circumstances such as a serious illness or physical disability, the support period may be extended once, as long as it does not exceed 6 months in total.

Where to Apply

SituationWhere to apply
Before completing foreigner registrationThe local KIS office where you filed your asylum application
After completing foreigner registrationThe local KIS office covering your current address

How to Apply

  • In principle, you must apply in person.
  • If you are a minor, or if illness or another unavoidable reason prevents you from applying in person, your spouse or parent may apply on your behalf.
  • When a family applies together, the main applicant lists all dependents in the “family details” section of the form and submits one application on behalf of the group.

Who counts as a dependent: your spouse, children who are minors under Korean civil law (under 19 years of age), and parents aged 65 or older.

Documents to Prepare

DocumentNotes
Livelihood support application form (Annex Form No. 22 of the Enforcement Rules of the Refugee Act)Available at your local KIS office or at HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr)
Receipt confirmation documentThe document you received when your asylum application was accepted
Passport or Alien Registration CardIf you have neither, submit your asylum application receipt
Copy of a Korean bank account in your own nameFor minors, a copy of the legal guardian’s (parent’s) account
Additional supporting documents (if applicable)Medical certificate, family relationship certificate, or other documents demonstrating your need for support

Amount of Support

The livelihood allowance is not a fixed amount set by law. The MOJ determines it within the annual budget, taking into account factors such as the applicant’s length of stay, employment status, whether they are using an immigration support center, number of dependents, and overall living circumstances (Enforcement Decree of the Refugee Act, Article 17). In practice, applicants living outside a support center have generally received around 400,000 won per month, while those receiving accommodation and meals inside a center receive a smaller amount. The exact figure changes each year, so please verify the current amount with 1345 or your local KIS office before applying. (Confirmation required.)

  • Families applying together may receive additional amounts depending on the number of dependents, but the actual amount paid varies by situation.

How Payments Are Made

  • Recipients are selected each month, and the allowance is transferred to the Korean bank account in your own name that you submitted with your application.
  • The MOJ will notify you directly of the selection result.

When Support Is Stopped

Your livelihood support will be discontinued if any of the following apply:

  • You depart from Korea
  • You are caught working without authorization
  • Criminal proceedings are underway against you for violating Korean law
  • It is found that you received support by fraudulent means, such as submitting false documents
  • It is confirmed that you are receiving support from a civic or religious organization in an amount equal to or greater than the livelihood allowance
  • You are granted refugee status or receive a humanitarian stay permit
  • You receive demerit points for poor conduct or poor participation in education at an immigration support center, and the center director requests that your payments be stopped
  • You are forcibly discharged from an immigration support center

Things to Keep in Mind

  • If it is found that you received the allowance through fraudulent means, you will be required to repay the full amount already received.
  • The support amount and criteria can change each year. Please confirm the latest information with the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local KIS office before applying.

Relevant Laws

  • Refugee Act, Article 40 (Livelihood support)
  • Enforcement Decree of the Refugee Act, Article 17 (Livelihood support; Presidential Decree No. 32790, in force from July 12, 2022)
  • Enforcement Rules of the Refugee Act, Article 15 (Livelihood support procedure; MOJ Ordinance No. 1068, in force from December 27, 2023)