Korean Job Discussion Forums

[parkhelens]

Aside from the fact that F4 Visa holders can work whereever and whenever they want in Korea, does anyone else know what other benefits they hold? e.g. National medical benefits, right to run a business here?

Thanks!

[IlIlNine]

*basically* very similar rights to Korean citizens... except for: no military service (you're a gal, yes?), no voting (maybe for the minor elections, but not presidential). That's about it as far as I know... you're free to run a business, etc - as long as you have all the paperwork together and pay your taxes!

[parkhelens]

Thanks! Is there a Web site that lists those benefits or states that? I've searched the immigration and g4f site and can't seem to find anything.

I recently went to the doc and paid just 13,000KRW to see her without insurance. Just wondering if that's how much anyone else here on visa (e-2 or otherwise) without insurance would have paid or is that the standard fare that Korean citizens pay?

Don't mind staying in Korea for as long as I can if I can have such affordable health care here!

[Yaya]

You have to pay for medical insurance, and the worst part is, to get it, you have to pay for all the months you were NOT insured. For example, if you came to Korea in February 2006 and applied for medical insurance in December of that year, you have to pay the premiums retroactively from February.

Stupid, stupid policy.

[newton kabiddles]

[parkhelens]

As far as I know, I haven't paid for any medical insurance thus far. I've just been deducted the 3.3% on my paycheck every month.

I paid just 13,000KRW to see the doctor and just 6,000KRW for the Rx. Not too bad I think. I guess it depends on which doctor you go to with regards to the cost of medical services here.

In the states, I didn't have insurance for the last two months I was there and of course, I had to go see the doc. It cost me $700 US! (I'm a big supporter of Michael Moore's SICKO) and kinda relieved that I'm only paying about $15US here to see a doc.

In any case, I'm still not sure if I'm paying this little because I have an F4 or if any foreigner would be paying the same amount to see this doc without insurance.

[kalkamagi]

i don't think you're paying any special "F4 rates". To my knowledge, they don't exist. The doctor's office never asks to see my card, so...

F4 just allows you to work anywhere, enter and leave the country whenever, etc. I think you can apply for voting rights after you've been a resident for 3+ years.

[Yaya]