Korean documents for foreigners
Living, studying or working in Korea means Korean paperwork. Many forms arrive as HWP files that don't open in Word, and the names of common certificates are hard to look up. This page gathers free tools that open and convert those files in your browser, plus plain-English notes on papers you are likely to be asked for.
Open, edit and convert HWP files
HWP and HWPX are the formats of Hangul, the Korean word processor. These tools open them without Hancom Office, and your file never leaves your device.
HWP how-to guides
Papers you may be asked for
Short explanations only. Rules and procedures change, so always follow the instructions of the office or company that asks for a document.
Certificate of Employment (재직증명서)
A letter from your employer confirming that you work there, usually with your position and start date. Banks, landlords and immigration offices often ask for it. It is issued by your company (HR or payroll), not by a government office. Read the full English guide →
Employment contract (근로계약서)
The written terms of your job. Under the Labor Standards Act (Article 17), an employer must set out key terms such as wages, working hours, holidays and annual leave in writing and give the worker a copy. Ask your employer if you did not receive one. Read the full English guide →
Certificate of resident registration (주민등록등본)
A record of a Korean citizen's registered address and household. Foreign residents are not listed in it; for most procedures that ask for it, a registered foreigner can use the Alien Registration Card or the certificate below instead (according to HiKorea).
Certificate of alien registration facts (외국인등록사실증명)
Proof of a foreigner's registration details. You can request it online through Government24 (gov.kr, certificate login needed), at a local community service center, or at an immigration office (according to HiKorea).
Health insurance eligibility certificate (건강보험 자격득실확인서)
Shows when you joined or left National Health Insurance, often requested as proof of employment history. It is issued by the National Health Insurance Service (nhis.or.kr, the app, or a branch) and is also listed on Government24.
Certificate of withholding tax on earned income (근로소득 원천징수영수증)
A yearly summary of your salary and the income tax withheld. Your employer issues it, and you can usually also view it on Hometax (hometax.go.kr), the National Tax Service site.
English guides to Korean work papers
Detailed English guides on our sister site Seosikchukchuk:
Getting papers ready to submit
English templates for everyday paperwork
Our sister site Seosikchukchuk has free English templates you fill in and download in the browser, for example a rent receipt, a timesheet and an invoice. These are general templates, not official Korean government forms.