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Government Grants for Foreigners in Korea 2026

EITC, child grants, youth housing, small business loans — what foreigners actually qualify for.

Korea operates hundreds of grants. Foreigners with Foreign Resident Card (외국인등록증) on F-2 / F-4 / F-5 / F-6 visas qualify for most. E-2 / D-2 have limited access. This guide covers the major grants foreigners are eligible to apply for.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC / 근로장려금)

Foreigners on F-2 / F-4 / F-5 / F-6 with household income under KRW 38M may receive up to KRW 3M annually. Apply via Hometax in May, payment September. Most expats miss this.

Child Tax Credit (자녀장려금)

KRW 800K per child for households with kids under 18. F-5 / F-6 / multicultural families qualify. Separate from EITC — both can be claimed together.

Multicultural Family Support (F-6 specific)

F-6 marriage migrants receive: Korean language classes (free), childcare support, employment training, family counseling. Apply via 다누리콜센터 (Danuri 1577-1366, 13 languages).

Small Business Grants

Foreign-run small businesses (registered as 개인사업자 individual proprietor on F-2/F-4/F-5/F-6) qualify for: low-interest policy loans (sbiz.or.kr), digital transformation grants, disaster compensation (e.g. floods, fires).

Where to search

(1) Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr) — integrated welfare search, (2) Hi Korea (hikorea.go.kr) — foreigner-specific services, (3) Danuri (liveinkorea.kr) — multicultural family, (4) Tax-N-Hyetaek app — auto matching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. D-2 student — any grants?

A. Most government grants require Resident Registration. D-2 has limited access. University scholarships (NIIED, GKS) and TOPIK exam fees support exist. National Health Insurance subsidy for students with low income.

Q. E-2 teacher — eligible for EITC?

A. Generally no — EITC requires 6-month+ Korean resident registration. Marriage to a Korean (transition to F-6) opens eligibility.

Q. Are grants taxable income?

A. Most welfare grants (EITC, child grant) are non-taxable. Business loans (low-interest policy loans) are not "income" — interest paid is deductible.