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The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Aug. 26 said it will give emergency relief funds to foreign residents of the capital amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The photo above is of a guideline on such funds. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)


Foreign residents in Seoul who meet the requirements can receive emergency disaster relief funds from the city.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Aug. 26 said it will provide the aid to expats. Back in March, the first payment was made only to Korean nationals and foreign residents with certain visas to stabilize their livelihoods and stimulate regional economies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreign nationals eligible for the assistance must be registered as city residents as of Aug. 27 and have lived in Seoul for at least 90 days, as well as possessing visas making them legally eligible for employment and for-profit activities. 

Another requirement is making less than the median income. (See the chart below for details) 

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*Median income level of household with eight or more people: increase of KRW 883,347 for each additional member 


A household with one to two people is eligible for assistance of KRW 300,000, that with three to four members KRW 400,000 and those of five or more KRW 500,000.

Those eligible can apply from Aug. 31 on the city government's website (http://fds.seoul.go.kr) through Sept. 25. Offline applications will also be accepted from Sept. 14-25 at an applicant's nearest district office or community service center.


The city will run an integrated call center for foreign applicants of the funds in 17 languages including English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai.

The relief funds will be paid in the form of a prepaid card. Successful applicants can receive it about two weeks after applying for use anywhere in Seoul until Dec. 15.


Korea.net