KoreaPay

Korea unemployment benefit calculator

How much job-seeking benefit you get per day, every 4 weeks and in total.

Based on 2026 Korean rates. Last updated: 2026-07

₩
Gross pay before tax for the 3 months before you left.

Employment insurance period

h

…

Inputs are saved on this device only.

Results are estimates for reference only and are not tax or legal advice. Actual amounts can differ depending on your contract, employer and individual circumstances.

How it is calculated

Who can get unemployment benefit in Korea?

You must have been covered by employment insurance for at least 180 days in the 18 months before leaving, have left for a reason other than your own choice (such as dismissal, recommended resignation or the end of a contract), and be able and actively looking for work. Register at Work24 and apply at your local Employment Center as soon as you leave, because the benefit must be received within 12 months of leaving.

How the daily amount is calculated

The daily benefit is 60% of your average daily wage over the last 3 months. In 2026 it is capped at ₩68,100 a day and cannot be lower than 80% of the minimum wage for your daily hours: ₩66,048 for an 8-hour day. Because these limits are so close, almost every full-time worker receives between ₩66,048 and ₩68,100 a day, regardless of salary.

Rules for foreign workers

Foreigners with F-2, F-5 or F-6 status are covered by employment insurance like Korean workers. Most other visa holders, including E-9 and H-2 workers, receive unemployment benefit only if they applied to join employment insurance. Payments stop when your stay permit expires, so check your visa period before planning on the full benefit.

Frequently asked questions

›How much is unemployment benefit per month in 2026?

Benefits are paid every 4 weeks for 28 days. At the 2026 limits that is about ₩1.85–1.91 million every 4 weeks for a full-time worker.

›Can I get unemployment benefit if I quit?

Usually not. Voluntary resignations qualify only for justified reasons, such as unpaid wages, a big pay cut, workplace harassment, a long commute after relocation, or illness.

›How many days can I receive it?

Between 120 and 270 days, depending on how long you were insured and whether you were 50 or older (or disabled) when you left.

›Is unemployment benefit taxed?

No. Unemployment benefit is not subject to income tax or social insurance contributions.

Other calculators