New to the Republic of Korea
If you have recently moved to the Republic of Korea (South Korea), you may wish to meet with other Irish citizens who are part of a local organisation or business network that can provide you with general advice, information and guidance.
Please refer to following information and useful links which might help you adapting yourself to the new surroundings.
Registering with the Embassy while in Korea
If you are an Irish citizen and a member of a family of an Irish citizen (including a foreign-born spouse or foreign-born child of the Irish citizen), please consider registering with the Embassy. It allows us to send you information from time to time which you might find useful. It is also a good way to ensure that information during an emergency can be conveyed quickly and efficiently. Your contact details are treated as confidential and are not shared with any authorities.
If you wish to register while you are resident in or visiting South Korea, you may do so by completing the online registration form.
1345 Immigration Contact Centre
Irish nationals seeking information about where/how to apply for or renew Korean working visas should contact the nearest Korean Embassy where they are currently residing, if they do not live in Korea. In the event they are already residing in Korea, they should contact a branch office of the Korean Immigration Service in their region, or contact the 1345 Immigration Contact Centre. Multilingual visa & immigration information services to expatriates in Korea are provided by the Korean e-Government for Foreigners.
Double Taxation Agreement between Ireland and RoK
Ireland and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) signed, in Dublin, on 18 July, 1990 a Convention for the avoidance of Double Taxation and the prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains.
The Convention or Double Taxation Agreement provides for the allocation of taxing rights between the two countries and for the granting of relief from double taxation with regard to items of income and capital gains which, under the laws of both countries, may be taxed in both.
If you have detailed questions then you should seek expert professional advice.
Useful links
Irish Organisations and Societies
You may find it helpful to meet with other Irish citizens who are part of a local organisation or business network. There are a small number of Irish organisations and societies in South Korea:
- Irish Association of Korea
- Seoul Gaels
- Busan GAA (Laochra)
- Gaelic Sport Club Daegu Fianna
- Missionary Society of St. Columban
- Missionary Sisters of St. Columban
- Hospitaller Order of St. John of God
Travel to Korea:
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Ireland
- Gateway to Korea
- Korea Tourism Organisation
- Korea Travel Guide
Study in Korea:
- Ministry of Education
- National Institute for International Education
Work and Live in Korea:
- E-Government for Foreigner
- Teach English in Korea
- Working Holiday Info Centre
- Korea Immigration Service
- Ministry of Employment and Labour
- National Pension Service
- National Tax Service
- Seoul Global Centre for Foreigner
Business and Economy in Korea:
Social Security Agreement between Ireland and Korea
On Thursday 1 January, 2009 an agreement between Ireland and the Republic of Korea came into effect. Its purpose is to enable persons who have paid social insurance in both countries, but have too few contributions in one country for a pension, to receive a pension on the basis of their combined periods of social insurance contributions.
It also allows a person to retain cover under their home country's legislation if they are sent to work temporarily for the same employer or a subsidiary company in the other country for a period of up to 5 years.
Please see the information leaflet for additional information. The relevant agency in Republic of Korea is the National Pension Service and in Ireland it is the Department of Social Protection.