Who Actually Gets Korea’s 2025 Recovery Coupon? (Even Some Foreigners Do)
In 2025 the South Korean government introduced the 민생회복 소비쿠폰 (Minsaeng Hoebok Consumption Coupon), commonly referred to as 민생회복지원금 (Livelihood Recovery Support Fund). This program is a nationwide stimulus aimed at boosting consumer spending and easing living costs amid economic slowdown. Key points include:
- Universal Coverage: The first phase covers all residents of Korea (with some exceptions noted below) with ₩150,000 per person minimum, scaling up to higher amounts (max ~₩450,000 in the first round) based on income level and region. A second phase will provide additional support to lower-income households (up to a total of ~₩550,000 for the neediest, when combined).
- Funding & Purpose: Approximately ₩13.2 trillion is budgeted for these coupons. The goal is to stimulate local economies by increasing consumer spending, similar to previous COVID-19 relief payments. The support is issued as “coupons” or credits rather than cash, usable at local businesses.
Distribution Methods and Usage
Application Period: Applications for the first phase open July 21, 2025 and run until September 12, 2025 (6:00 PM deadline). There is no automatic payment; eligible individuals must request the benefit during the window.
- How to Apply: You can apply online via credit/debit card issuers’ websites or apps (to load the coupon as a card credit), or through local government payment apps for regional digital gift cards. If online access is difficult, you can apply in person starting July 21 at affiliated bank branches or your local 읍/면/동 주민센터 (community service center) to receive a pre-paid card or paper voucher. (For seniors or disabled persons, a “visiting application” service is available.) Note that in the first week (July 21–25), a staggered schedule by birth year is used – you may only apply on a certain weekday depending on the last digit of your birth year.
- Receiving the Coupon: If you apply via a credit/debit card, the coupon amount is credited to your card by the next day. If you choose a prepaid card or local paper coupon, you will receive it on the spot at the community center. Each adult must apply for their own coupon (minors’ benefits can be claimed by their household head).
- Usage Restrictions: The coupons must be spent by November 30, 2025, after which any unused balance expires. They can only be used in the region where you reside (your registered city/province) to support local businesses. Coupons are not valid at department stores, large chain supermarkets, online malls, or adult entertainment venues. They are intended for small local merchants (generally stores with annual revenue under ₩3 billion). For example, you can use them at traditional markets, local supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, etc. (In practice, the coupon is often provided as a prepaid card or card credit that automatically rejects restricted merchants.) Note: If ordering via delivery apps, you can use the coupon only by selecting pay-on-delivery and using the card in person upon delivery (this way the payment goes through a local store’s card reader).
Eligibility Criteria
Korean Citizens (Main Recipients)
All Korean citizens residing in Korea as of June 18, 2025 are eligible to receive the support. This includes people of all income levels (with higher amounts for low-income groups) and across all regions (with small bonuses for those outside the Seoul metropolitan area). Even infants and children are eligible (their legal guardian/household head can apply on their behalf). Koreans temporarily abroad during the rollout can receive the coupon if they return to Korea between June 18 and the application deadline (they would need to file a claim after returning).
Amount Details: Every eligible citizen gets at least ₩150,000. Lower-income groups get more – e.g. basic welfare recipients receive ₩400,000, and the next-lowest bracket (e.g. near-poverty or single-parent families) get ₩300,000. Additionally, residents outside Seoul/Gyeonggi/Incheon get a bonus ₩30,000, and those in designated rural depopulation counties get ₩50,000 extra. (These bonuses are cumulative, so a low-income person in a rural county could receive up to ₩450,000 in the first phase. A second-phase payment in late September may add ~₩100,000 more for most people except the top 10% income bracket.)
Foreign Residents – Eligibility and Conditions
Visa Type | Eligible? | Notes |
F-5 (Permanent Resident) | ✅ Yes | Must have ARC + enrolled in NHIS or Medical Aid |
F-6 (Marriage Immigrant) | ✅ Yes | Same as above, even if not cohabiting with Korean spouse |
F-2-4 (Refugee Status) | ✅ Yes | Only this F-2 type is clearly eligible |
F-4 (Overseas Korean) | ❌ No | Excluded unless registered under Korean citizen household |
E-series (e.g., E-2, E-7) | ❌ No | Not eligible unless married to Korean and re-registered |
D-2 (Student) | ❌ No | Short-term; not covered even with NHIS |
H-1, H-2 (Working Visas) | ❌ No | Excluded unless special family status |
Other F-2s (e.g., F-2-7) | ❌ No | Not explicitly included |
Tourist / B Visa | ❌ No | Not eligible |
Undocumented migrants | ❌ No | Not eligible |
Are foreign nationals eligible? In principle, the program is for Korean citizens, but yes, certain foreign residents can receive the 지원금 under specific conditions. The government has explicitly included some foreign nationals who are long-term residents with close ties to Korea. According to official announcements, foreigners are eligible only if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Foreigners in Korean Family Households: If a foreign national is listed on a Korean resident registration household that includes at least one Korean citizen, and the foreigner is enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHIS) or Medical Aid as either a paying member or a dependent. In practice, this covers foreign spouses or family members of Korean citizens who live together in Korea. (Example: A foreign spouse of a Korean, or a foreign child/family member in a Korean household, with an Alien Registration Card and health insurance, will be included.)
- Certain Long-Term Visa Holders (Foreign-Only Households): Even if the household is composed only of foreigners, the following categories of foreign residents are eligible (provided they are enrolled in NHIS or the Medical Aid program):
- Permanent Residents (F-5 visa) – Foreign nationals with an F-5 (permanent residency) visa.
- Marriage Immigrants (F-6 visa) – Foreign spouses of Korean citizens who hold the F-6 visa. (Typically F-6 visa holders are already covered under the “Korean household” rule if living with their spouse, but this ensures even an F-6 holder not currently cohabiting with a Korean – e.g. in a foreign-only household – can get it.)
- Recognized Refugees (F-2-4 visa) – Individuals granted official refugee status in Korea (usually on an F-2-4 residence visa).
In all cases above, the foreign resident must be registered in Korea and have national health insurance or medical welfare coverage to qualify. An Alien Registration Card (ARC) is necessary, since only registered long-term residents are considered. The eligibility cutoff date (June 18, 2025) applies to foreigners as well – one must have been residing in Korea (with a valid registration) by that date to be included.
Visa Types Breakdown: To clarify eligibility by visa category:
- F-5 (Permanent Resident): Yes – Eligible if you hold an F-5 ARC and are enrolled in national health insurance.
- F-6 (Spouse of Korean citizen): Yes – Eligible (F-6 visa holders are “결혼이민자,” included in the support). Ensure you have health insurance coverage (either your own or as a dependent).
- F-2-4 (Refugee): Yes – Eligible for recognized refugees with F-2-4 status, with health/medical insurance enrollment. (Note: Other types of F-2 visas – e.g. F-2-7 point-based residents or F-2 dependents – are not explicitly included unless you also qualify under a Korean household with insurance.)
- F-4 (Overseas Korean heritage visa): Not specifically included. F-4 holders are foreign nationals, so they are excluded unless they have a Korean family member in their home registration (which is uncommon). Simply holding an F-4 (재외동포) visa does not qualify by itself under the current rules.
- E-1 ~ E-7 work visas (incl. E-2 English Teacher visa): No, not eligible – Most expatriates on work visas are not covered by this program. Unless such an individual also happens to be in a household registry with a Korean (for example, through marriage – in which case they would likely have changed to F-6 visa), they do not meet the criteria.
- D-2 (Student visa) and other D-series visas: No – International students and other short-term residents are not eligible, barring the unlikely scenario that they are part of a Korean citizen’s household and on Korean health insurance.
- H-1 (Working Holiday) & H-2 (Work Visit) visas: No – These temporary visa holders are not included in the support program. Working Holiday visa holders, for instance, are short-term residents and not part of the covered categories. (H-2 visa holders, who are usually ethnic Korean foreign workers, are also not included unless they qualify via marriage to a Korean or by obtaining permanent residency.)
- Other Categories: Tourists or short-term visitors (B-visa) are not eligible. Undocumented migrants are also not eligible. Essentially, if you do not fall into one of the exception categories above, you will not receive the coupon. The government’s stance is that the program’s purpose is to support the Korean populace; only 358,000± foreign residents who are deeply integrated into Korean society (through family or long-term status) are covered as a special consideration.
Conditions for Foreigners: Eligible foreign residents must have active National Health Insurance enrollment or be documented as a dependent under a family member’s plan (or be a recipient of 의료급여, the government medical aid). This typically implies a stable residency status (most long-term visa holders join health insurance after 6 months, or immediately if employed). It’s a good idea to ensure your insurance premiums are paid up, as the term “후납” suggests you should not be in arrears on health insurance.
If you're wondering about how health insurance works for foreigners in Korea — like who gets auto-enrolled, how much it costs, or what happens if you don’t pay — I wrote a full breakdown in this post over on r/seoul:
Might be helpful if you're navigating the system or just arrived.
Documentation & Application for Foreigners
Category | Amount (₩) | Notes |
Base Amount (all eligible adults) | ₩150,000 | Everyone gets this |
Basic Livelihood Recipients | ₩400,000 | Low-income tier 1 |
Near-poverty, Single Parents etc. | ₩300,000 | Low-income tier 2 |
Bonus: Non-metropolitan Region | ₩30,000 extra | Outside 수도권 |
Bonus: Rural County | ₩50,000 extra | Additional to above |
Max possible (phase 1) | ₩450,000 total | If all bonuses apply |
Expected 2nd round (autumn) | +₩100,000 approx. | For most below top 10% |
The application process for foreign residents is the same as for Korean nationals in most respects. You apply during the same period (Jul. 21–Sep. 12) and via the same methods – online through card companies or offline at banks/community centers. When applying, bring your ARC (Alien Registration Card) for identification if applying in person. The system will verify your alien registration number against the eligibility list (which is determined by visa status, household registration, and insurance data). If applying online (e.g. through a credit card website/app), you will need to input your ARC number and other personal info; the major card companies have updated their systems to accept foreign registration numbers for this purpose.
There is no separate paperwork specifically for foreigners beyond standard ID verification. You do not need to show proof of your visa type or insurance at application if the government records already reflect it. (Local authorities have those records – e.g. visa status from Immigration, health insurance from NHIS – and have compiled the roster of eligible foreign ARC numbers.) However, if for some reason you believe you qualify but your status was not recognized (e.g. an edge case like recent marriage or new F-5 status), you can inquire at the local 주민센터 with supporting documents (marriage registration, etc.).
Summary of Key Points for Foreigners
- Foreign nationals can receive the 2025 recovery coupons, but only under strict conditions. Generally, only those with F-5 Permanent Resident, F-6 Korean spouse, or official refugee status (F-2-4) are eligible – and they must be enrolled in Korea’s health insurance system. Additionally, any foreigner who is part of a Korean citizen’s registered household (e.g. a foreign spouse or family member) qualifies as long as they have health insurance coverage.
- Most other visa holders (E-series work visas, D-series students, H visas, etc.) are not included. Short-term residents, visitors, and undocumented individuals are excluded. The policy is not based on paying taxes per se, but on residency status and integration; for instance, even foreigners who pay local taxes (like the resident tax) do not qualify unless they meet the family or visa criteria.
- Amount and usage for foreigners: Eligible foreign residents receive the same amount a Korean would in the same situation (base ₩150k, with any applicable low-income or regional bonuses). They must apply to get the funds, and the coupons can be used under the same rules (until Nov 30, in local stores, etc.). There is no difference in the coupon’s use – once loaded onto a card or received as a voucher, it works like everyone else’s.
- Documentation: Have your ARC ready when applying. No additional documents are typically required beyond standard ID verification, since eligibility is determined behind the scenes. If applying offline at a 주민센터, staff may ask for your ARC and perhaps check that you’re on the health insurance list.
- Deadline: Don’t miss the application deadline (Sept 12, 2025). If you believe you’re eligible but couldn’t apply in time or faced issues, there may be an appeal process, but it’s safer to apply within the window. (Korean authorities did allow appeals for late-returning citizens; for foreigners, policies on appeals haven’t been highlighted, so assume the main window is your only chance.)
- English support: Look out for English announcements from your local government or the Ministry of the Interior. The Ministry of Interior and Safety (행정안전부) provided English instruction leaflets to local offices specifically for the ~358,000 foreign beneficiaries. You can likely find FAQ brochures at city halls or international centers.
By following the above guidelines, eligible foreign residents in Korea can successfully receive and use the 민생회복지원금 (회복쿠폰) alongside Korean citizens, helping support their household and local community. Always double-check with official sources or local officials if you are unsure about your eligibility or the process – the program is nationwide and government-run, so the criteria are uniform across all regions.
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Sources:
- South Korea Ministry of Interior press release / news via BNT News (July 2025) – “민생회복 소비쿠폰(민생회복지원금) 지급 계획”
- Yonhap News (July 20, 2025) – “난민 등 외국인도 소비쿠폰 신청…‘35만8천명 대상’” (coverage of foreign resident eligibility)
- Gwangju City Foreign Resident Guide – “민생회복 소비쿠폰 외국인 지급 대상자 안내” (Q&A on foreigner eligibility)
- Additional details from Korean press and government FAQs.