Korea Free Counseling and Support Center Guide for Foreigners 2026: Law, Labor and Life

When living in Korea, there are times when it is difficult to solve problems such as visas, wages, housing, hospitals, marriage, school, and administrative documents on your own. If you only judge things based on Internet articles, you may end up relying on outdated information or personal experiences. There are counseling channels available to foreigners for free or at low cost, so it is important to find an organization that suits the type of problem you are having. This article summarizes where foreigners can contact when they need help in Korea.

Please check 1345 first for stay and visa.

The basic starting point for visas, period of stay, immigration/departure reservations, address changes, and residence status changes is the Foreigner Information Center 1345. The answer may vary depending on the individual's residency status, so please consult after preparing your visa type and situation. For important information, it is a good idea to write down the consultation date and key sentences provided.

For problems while traveling, 1330 is useful

If you need directions, interpretation, tourist information, lost items, or emergency information while sightseeing, you can use Tourist Interpretation Guide 1330. Travelers often find it difficult to explain things directly to police stations or hospitals, so connecting with an interpreter can be of great help. Consultation will be faster if you check your accommodation address and current location in advance.

For labor issues, collect records and consult

For issues such as non-payment of wages, failure to write contracts, unfair deductions, and overtime, you must collect employment contracts, time sheets, pay stubs, deposit details, and messages. When using counseling from the Ministry of Employment and Labor or a local labor counseling center, the more data you have, the easier it will be to explain the situation. If your visa and work scope are related, please also check 1345 consultation.

For family, marriage, and life issues, please visit your local center.

Multicultural Family Support Centers, Foreign Resident Support Centers, and Global Centers may provide language education, life counseling, family counseling, and administrative information. Programs and language support vary by region, so search with your city name. Some consultations require an appointment, so it is best to call before visiting.

For legal advice, give priority to official agencies

For matters that require legal judgment, such as contracts, deposits, violence, accidents, family relations, and residence issues, check the Legal Aid Corporation, local government legal consultation, and embassy information rather than personal blogs. Before consultation, it is a good idea to organize the date of the incident, the other party's information, contracts, receipts, and photos. If you are in immediate danger, you should call 112 or 119 first.

Pre-visit checklist

• Types of issues to discuss
• Visa type
• Contract and Message
• Photo/receipt
• Current location
• Whether an interpreter is needed

Detailed conditions and operating hours may vary depending on region, store, institution, and season. For important schedules or costly choices, it is best to check the official website, consultation center, and on-site information before departure.