Refugee & humanitarian
Seeking asylum in Korea — the process, your rights, and where to get free legal help.
In short
- If you fear persecution at home for your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group, you can apply for refugee status in Korea.
- Applications go to a local immigration office (or at a port of entry) — not to UNHCR. You get a receipt and become a "refugee status applicant," and cannot be forcibly returned while your case is decided.
- You have a right to a lawyer, and free legal aid NGOs and UNHCR can help. If refused, you can appeal to the Ministry of Justice (within 30 days) or a court (within 90 days).
- If not recognized as a refugee, you may get humanitarian stay (G-1-6) — a lawful, extendable status with the right to work.
Who can apply
Under Korea's Refugee Act, a refugee is someone outside their home country with a well-founded fear of persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group — and who can't or won't seek their country's protection. Stateless people in a similar situation can also apply.
How to apply
1. Apply in person
Go to a local immigration office and submit an Application for Refugee Status Recognition. You can also apply at a port of entry — there it goes through a pre-screening decision (usually within 7 days) on whether to refer you to the full process. Officials are legally required to help people who express an intention to apply.
2. Get your receipt
You'll receive a certificate of receipt and become a refugee status applicant. You may stay in Korea until the decision (and any appeal/litigation) is final.
3. The interview
Immigration interviews you about your fear of persecution. Answer truthfully and in detail. You may bring a trusted person (lawyer, NGO worker, friend), request an interpreter, and submit supporting documents (translated to Korean or English).
4. The decision
You'll be recognized as a refugee, granted humanitarian stay, or refused.
Your rights while you wait
- Non-refoulement: recognized refugees, humanitarian-stay holders, and applicants cannot be forcibly returned to a place of danger.
- Work: you can apply for permission to work 6 months after filing your application (find a job first, then apply at immigration).
- Support: limited living-expense support (up to ~6 months, if eligible) and possible housing at the Immigration Reception Center (space is very limited). Emergency support may be available via local governments/NGOs.
- Children's education: minor applicants (and applicants' children) can access primary and secondary education like Korean children.
- Report address changes like any resident — via HiKorea within the deadline.
If you're refused
- Appeal to the Ministry of Justice within 30 days of the non-recognition notice (filed at a local immigration office).
- Or file administrative litigation in court within 90 days of the notice (of non-recognition or of a rejected objection).
- You may be granted humanitarian stay (G-1-6) instead — a lawful, extendable status. Holders generally have broader permission to work, can get a Korean-issued travel document if they can't use their home passport, and must join National Health Insurance after 6 months.
Where to get help
- UNHCR Korea: help.unhcr.org/southkorea — guidance on the process (they don't decide cases).
- Legal-aid NGOs (free): NANCEN, APIL, Korea Legal Aid Corporation, and others provide counseling and representation.
- Immigration Contact Center: 1345 (multilingual) for procedural questions.
Common questions
Do I apply to UNHCR?
No — all refugee applications are decided by Korea's Ministry of Justice via local immigration offices. UNHCR and NGOs can support you.
Can I work while my case is pending?
You can apply for work permission 6 months after filing. Find a job first, then apply at immigration.
What if I'm refused?
Appeal to the Ministry of Justice within 30 days, or go to court within 90 days. You may still receive humanitarian stay.
Do I need a lawyer?
You have the right to one, and free legal-aid NGOs can help. Given the stakes, getting expert help is strongly advised.
Sources: Korea's Refugee Act, Korea Immigration Service / immigration.go.kr, UNHCR Korea (help.unhcr.org/southkorea), and 2026 G-1 practical guides. Appeal windows: 30 days (MOJ) / 90 days (court).
Last verified: July 2026. This is a serious legal area that changes — confirm with UNHCR, a legal-aid NGO, or 1345, and seek a lawyer. General information, not legal advice.
Going through this?
You don't have to navigate it alone — the community can point you to legal-aid and interpreter resources. Post and tag it Immigration.