Free foreign-resident support centers in Korea
Government support centers
Publicly funded centers offering free Korean classes, counseling, visa and immigration help, and legal and labor consultations, in your language.
These are free, and underused. Every center here offers services at no cost, often including free legal and labor consultations that private firms charge for. If you are new, the Seoul Global Center (서울글로벌센터), or your city's equivalent, is the single best first stop for almost any question about living in Korea.
Most worker support centers below are nonprofits funded by HRD Korea (한국산업인력공단). Centers tagged Shelter run a shelter. Call before you visit.
Nationwide
1 listedCounseling Center for Foreign Workers
외국인력상담센터
Emerald Building 3F, 16 Gojan 2-gil, Ansan, Gyeonggi
Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino (Tagalog), English, Thai, Indonesian, Sinhala, Mongolian, Uzbek, Khmer, Bengali, Urdu, Nepali, Burmese, Kyrgyz, Tetum, Lao
CounselingLabor counselingInterpretation
The Employment Permit System (EPS) helpline for workers and employers. Phone or walk-in, 9:00 to 18:00 every day. Pick your language from the phone menu.
Seoul
11 listedSeoul Global Center
서울글로벌센터
38 Jongno, 5F, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Jonggak Station Exit 6)
Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Uzbek, Filipino
Free Korean classesCounselingVisa and immigration helpInterpretationLegal counselingLabor counselingLiving supportBusiness start-up support
Seoul's flagship one-stop center for all foreign residents: free counseling in multiple languages, legal and labor consultations, and start-up visa (D-8) support.
Seoul Foreign Resident Center
서울외국인주민지원센터
40 Dosin-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Daerim)
Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese
Free Korean classesCounselingVisa and immigration helpInterpretationLegal counselingLabor counselingLiving support
Serves the high-density foreign community around Daerim and Yeongdeungpo. Free psychological counseling, legal and labor consultations, and early-settlement programs.
Itaewon Global Village Center
이태원글로벌빌리지센터
B1, 54-14 Itaewon-ro 27ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Korean, English
Free Korean classesCounselingLegal counselingLiving support
Community hub for the English-speaking Itaewon-Hannam corridor: free legal consultations, Korean classes, and cultural events.
Ichon Global Village Center
이촌글로벌빌리지센터
224 Ichon-ro, Hangang Shopping Center Room 304, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Korean, Japanese, English
Free Korean classesCounselingLiving support
Focused on the large Japanese community in Ichon (Seoul's Little Tokyo), with a Japanese-language library and Japan-facing programs.
Seorae Global Village Center
서래글로벌빌리지센터
28 Seorae-ro 3F, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo)
Korean, French, English
Free Korean classesCounselingLiving support
Serves the French-speaking community in Seorae Village, including a French-Korean language exchange.
Yeonnam Global Village Center
연남글로벌빌리지센터
219 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Korean, Chinese, English
Free Korean classesCounselingLiving support
Serves the overseas Chinese community in Mapo and Yeonnam, with Chinese-language services emphasized.
Seongbuk Global Village Center
성북글로벌빌리지센터
134 Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
Korean, English
Free Korean classesCounselingLiving support
Settlement support and community-integration programs for the Seongbuk-gu area.
Geumcheon Global Village Center
금천글로벌빌리지센터
116 Gasan-ro 3F, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul
Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese
Free Korean classesCounselingLegal counselingLabor counselingLiving support
Serves the industrial-zone worker community in Gasan, with legal and labor counseling alongside Korean, computer, and cooking classes.
Gangnam Global Village Center
강남글로벌빌리지센터
Korean, English
Free Korean classesCounselingLiving support
Serves the foreign community in the Gangnam (Yeoksam) area with Korean classes, counseling, and settlement support. See the Seoul Foreign Portal page for the current address and hours.
Korea Migrant Workers Welfare Association
(사)한국이주노동자복지회
217-1 Gurojungang-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul (5F)
Counseling
Pureun Saramdeul
(사)푸른사람들
346-41 Imun-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (Yeongil Building, Room 302)
Counseling
Incheon
3 listedIncheon Help Center for Foreigners
40 Yesul-ro 192beon-gil 3F, Namdong-gu, Incheon
Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino
Free Korean classesCounselingLegal counselingLabor counselingLiving support
City-run center with counseling in five languages and TOPIK prep classes. Weekdays 9am-5pm.
Elim Foreigner Support Center
엘림외국인지원센터
6 Injung-ro 146beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon
Counseling
Incheon Foreign Workers Center
인천외국인노동자센터
27-11 Yeomjeon-ro 239beon-gil, Michuhol-gu, Incheon
Counseling
Gyeonggi
8 listedOsan Migrant Workers Center
오산 이주노동자센터
38 Seongho-daero 50beon-gil, Osan, Gyeonggi
Counseling
Pyeongtaek Foreigner Welfare Center
평택 외국인복지센터
42 Pyeongtaek-ro 64beon-gil, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi
CounselingShelter
Bucheon Migrant Center
부천이주민센터
336 Gyenam-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi (3F)
Counseling
Korea Migrant Workers Foundation (Gwangju, Gyeonggi)
(재)한국이주노동재단
33-32 Gyeongan-dong, Gwangju, Gyeonggi (2F)
CounselingShelter
Guri EXODUS (Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu)
천주교의정부교구 구리EXODUS
18 Chegwan-ro 153beon-gil, Guri, Gyeonggi
CounselingShelter
Gimpo Migrant Center (Borderless Village)
(사)국경없는마을 김포이주민센터
29 Yanggok 1-ro 40beon-gil, Yangchon-eup, Gimpo, Gyeonggi (2F)
Counseling
Anyang Migrant Center
안양이주민센터
676-136 Anyang 4-dong, Manan-gu, Anyang, Gyeonggi
CounselingShelter
Ansan Foreign Workers' House
안산외국인노동자의 집
26 Wonseon-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi (2F)
CounselingShelter
Gangwon
1 listedHamkkehaneun Gongdongche (Wonju)
함께하는 공동체
143-7 Wanggeon-ro, Munmak-eup, Wonju, Gangwon
CounselingShelter
Daejeon
2 listedDaejeon Support Center for Foreign Residents
대전외국인주민 통합지원센터
841 Daejeon-ro 2-3F, Dong-gu, Daejeon
Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese
Free Korean classesCounselingVisa and immigration helpLegal counselingLabor counselingLiving support
Labor, legal, and driver's-license support, plus job consulting. Open Tuesday to Saturday (closed Monday and Sunday); late hours Wednesday and Thursday.
Daejeon Migrant Workers Support Center
대전외국인이주노동자종합지원센터
6 Mokcheok 7-gil, Jung-gu, Daejeon
Counseling
Chungcheong
3 listedAsan Foreign Workers Support Center
아산외국인노동자지원센터
29 Sijang-gil, Asan, Chungnam (Civic Culture Welfare Center, Room 203)
Counseling
Korean Methodist Church, Chungbuk Conference
기독교 대한감리회 충북연회
8-21 Seokpan 2-gil, Nami-myeon, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk
CounselingShelter
Chungbuk Migrant Workers Support Center
충북 외국인이주노동자지원센터
319-1 Gyoseong-ri, Jincheon-eup, Jincheon, Chungbuk
Counseling
Gwangju
3 listedGwangju International Residents Center
광주외국인주민지원센터
82 Poongyeong-ro 145-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju
Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, French
Free Korean classesCounselingLegal counselingLabor counselingLiving support
One-stop center for the Gwangsan-gu foreign-resident cluster, with website content in many languages. Open daily except public holidays.
Foreign Workers Culture Center (Gwangju)
(사)외국인근로자 문화센터
33 Daesan-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju
CounselingShelter
Catholic Gwangju Social Welfare, Migrant Ministry
가톨릭광주사회복지회이주민사목부
23 Taebong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju
CounselingShelter
Jeolla
4 listedYeosu Foreign Workers Culture Center
여수외국인근로자문화센터
53 Eohangdanji-ro, Yeosu, Jeonnam (2F)
CounselingShelter
Mokpo-Yeongam Foreign Workers Culture Support Center
전남목포영암 외국인근로자문화지원센터
23 Daebulsandan 1-ro 8-gil, Samho-eup, Yeongam, Jeonnam
CounselingShelter
Suncheon Road World Vision
순천로드월드비전
3-5 Joryemotdeung 1-gil, Suncheon, Jeonnam (2F)
Counseling
St. Joseph Workers' House (Catholic Diocese of Jeonju)
천주교전주교구성요셉근로자의 집
41 Jungang-ro 11-gil, Iksan, Jeonbuk
Counseling
Busan
5 listedBusan Global City Foundation
부산글로벌도시재단
1000 Jungang-daero, 13F National Pension Service Building, Yeonje-gu, Busan
Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Indonesian, Uzbek
CounselingInterpretationLegal counselingLabor counselingLiving support
Busan's main multilingual counseling center for immigration, wages, legal, and housing questions. Weekdays 9am-8pm; KakaoTalk support too.
Busan Foreign Residents Center
부산외국인주민지원센터
448 Sasang-ro 3F, Sasang-gu, Busan
Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese
Free Korean classesCounselingLegal counselingLabor counselingLiving support
Walk-in center for counseling, Korean classes, and a multicultural library. Open weekdays plus Sunday; closed Saturday.
Busan Support Center for Foreign Workers
부산외국인근로자지원센터
86 Yeonsu-ro B1, Yeonje-gu, Busan
Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese
CounselingLabor counselingLiving supportFree Korean classes
Labor-ministry-commissioned center for E-9 and H-2 workers, with free medical consultation and Korean classes on Sundays.
Busan Foreign Workers Mission
부산외국인근로자선교회
608-1 Jeonpo 2-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Sinwoo Building, Room 511)
CounselingShelter
Samsan Foreign Residents Support Association
(사)삼산거주외국인지원협회
28-9 Sasang-ro 170beon-gil, Sasang-gu, Busan
CounselingShelter
Gyeongsang
5 listedChangwon Migrant Center (Catholic Diocese of Masan)
천주교마산교구창원이주민센터
2 Changi-daero 600beon-gil, Uichang-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam
Counseling
Jinju House of Love
진주사랑의 집
7 Dotgol-ro 7beon-gil, Jinju, Gyeongnam
Counseling
Foreign Workers Culture Center, Pohang Branch
(사)외국인근로자 문화센터 포항지부
305-4 Mundeok-ri, Ocheon-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk
CounselingShelter
Kkumeul Iruneun Saramdeul (Gumi)
꿈을 이루는 사람들
46-8 Jisan 1-gil, Gumi, Gyeongbuk
CounselingShelter
Gyeongju Foreigner Support Center
(사)경주외국인지원센터
37-6 Ipsil-ro 2-gil, Oedong-eup, Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk (Room 202)
Counseling
Jeju
1 listedJeju Migrant Center
제주이주민센터
33-1 Seogwang-ro 2-gil, Jeju (3F)
CounselingShelter
Looking for help in your language?
The guide explains what multicultural family and foreign-resident support centers offer, who is eligible, and how to start using them.
Read: Multicultural family support in Korea →