Every foreigner staying for various periods of time in South Korea, may be eligible for vaccination when meeting specific requirements. The following information is based on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s recently released update.

Foreigners who are not registered or subscribed (paying monthly) to the Korean national health insurance service can still receive COVID-19 vaccinations, but only at public health centers when it is their turn. However, the must have been residing in Korea for already more than 90 days at the time of vaccination. This also includes individuals who are staying here illegally.

Long-term residents which don’t possess registration numbers or which are exempted from alien registration can get temporary codes at community centers, after presenting their passports or other formal identification (school ID, driver’s license, etc.).

Those covered by the national health insurance service can receive the vaccines at public health centers, as well as at other designated medical institutions.

However, foreigners are subject to the same rules as Korean nationals when it comes to order of priority. Until June, individuals 60 years of age and older, health care workers and other workers in essential fields will take priority. In July, vaccinations will gradually open up to adults in other age groups, in descending order of age, with the minimum age being 18 years old.

For more information and an eligibility check, please contact your local vaccination centre or health practitioner.