Leaving Korea at the end of your working holiday
Money to claim before you fly (final wages, severance, deposit, pension), things to cancel, and what to do with your ARC.
The end of a working holiday goes fast. Start this list about a month before you leave, because some of it takes weeks.
Money to collect
1. Your last wages
Under Korean law your employer must pay everything you’re owed, including your final wages, within 14 days of your last day. Check your last payslip against your hours.
2. Severance pay (퇴직금)
You’re entitled to severance if you worked for the same employer for at least one year, averaging 15 hours or more a week. It’s roughly one month’s average wage for each year worked.
Most working holiday makers don’t stay a full year in one job, so many won’t qualify. But if you do, it’s a lot of money. Don’t let it go.
3. Your housing deposit
Tell your landlord or share house in writing (a KakaoTalk message is fine) when you’re leaving, and agree on the date and amount you’ll get back. Take photos of the room when you move out.
4. National Pension refund
If pension (국민연금) was taken from your wages, you might be able to claim it back as a lump sum when you leave. It depends on your nationality: Korea pays it to citizens of countries with a social security agreement or similar rules. Call the National Pension Service on 1355 (English available) to check, and claim before you leave if you can. Which nationalities qualify and how to collect it at the airport: getting money back when you leave Korea.
5. Tax
Income tax is taken from your wages during the year. When you leave a job, your employer should settle it (a mid-year tax settlement). Ask them for your withholding receipt (원천징수영수증) before you go.
If something’s wrong with your wages or severance, call the Ministry of Employment and Labor helpline 1350 before you leave. It’s much harder to fix from abroad.
Things to cancel
- Phone plan. Cancel at the carrier, and get confirmation. Keep your number until your last bank transfers have arrived, because you may need text-message codes.
- Health insurance. NHIS coverage ends when you leave, but pay any final bill.
- Utilities and internet, if they’re in your name.
- Gym, apps and subscriptions paid with your Korean card.
- Bank account. Close it after all your money has arrived, or ask the bank what happens if you leave it open.
On the day you fly
- Hand in your ARC at the immigration counter at the airport when you leave for good.
- Use up or refund your T-money card. Convenience stores can refund the balance for a small fee, or just spend it on snacks.
- Change leftover won before security, or keep some for next time.
Want to come back?
Most countries only allow one working holiday in Korea. If you’d like to return to work, you’ll need a different visa. Leaving with no unpaid bills or fines keeps your record clean for future visas.