EasyTicket The program where “put in KRW 200,000 and it becomes KRW 400,000” is the Worker Vacation Support Program. But there’s a catch: it’s not the employee who applies directly — your employer has to apply first before you can get the benefit. So this article breaks it down for an employee at a small or medium-sized business, covering everything from “is my company even eligible” to “how do I get our HR/general affairs team to apply.”
What is the Worker Vacation Support Program?
It’s a domestic travel support program run by the Korea Tourism Organization. The key is its matching-contribution structure. If an employee puts in KRW 200,000, their employer adds KRW 100,000 and the government adds another KRW 100,000, creating a total of KRW 400,000 in travel points. You end up with a KRW 400,000 travel fund for your own KRW 200,000 — an effective discount of 50%.
That KRW 400,000 isn’t cash — it’s points you can spend on the dedicated online mall, “Vacation Shop.” You can use it for accommodation, transportation (KTX, flights, etc.), packaged domestic travel products, and admission tickets to tourist attractions. It can’t be used for overseas travel — it’s strictly for domestic trips.
If putting in KRW 200,000 of your own money feels like a stretch, this program is a great fit if you were already planning a domestic trip this year anyway. Think of it as setting aside money you were going to spend anyway — and having it doubled.
Who’s eligible — is my company on the list?
This is where most people get stuck. The program is aimed at employers, and employees can take part only if their employer is enrolled. Here’s who can participate:
| Category | Eligible |
|---|---|
| Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) | Yes |
| Small business owners / self-employed | Yes (requires an SME certification) |
| Nonprofit private organizations | Yes |
| Social welfare corporations/facilities | Yes |
| Public institutions and large corporations | Excluded |
In other words, as a rule, employees at mid-sized-or-larger companies and public institutions are not eligible. On the other hand, if you work at an SME or a small business, you’re eligible in most cases. Remember: what matters more than your personal situation as an employee is whether “your company has applied to participate.”
How much do you get, and when do you apply?
The 2026 program opened for first-come, first-served applications starting at 2 PM on January 30, and runs until the budget (government funding) runs out. The initial enrollment target was 100,000 people, and it was expanded to 145,000 as of April 27. Demand tends to be high enough that the program closes early in many years, so if your company is considering joining, it’s best to move quickly.
As covered above, the standard support amount is employee KRW 200,000 + employer KRW 100,000 + government KRW 100,000 = KRW 400,000 total. However, for medium-sized enterprises in their 5th year of participation or beyond, the government’s share drops to KRW 50,000 while the employer’s share rises to KRW 150,000 (the employee’s KRW 200,000 stays the same). The longer a company has participated, the more its employer — rather than the government — ends up covering.
- Check whether your company qualifies as an SME or small business
- Ask your HR/general affairs team about their plans to join the Vacation Support Program
- Request early application before the budget runs out
- Set aside your KRW 200,000 contribution in advance
How to apply — done in 4 steps
There’s only one application channel: the Worker Vacation Support Program website (vacation.visitkorea.or.kr). The company drives the process; employees just enter their information and make a payment partway through.
- Employer applies to participate — the company submits a participation application online through the website
- Confirmation of participating employer — the Korea Tourism Organization notifies the company of the selection result
- Employee registers info + pays their share — the employee enters their own information and pays KRW 200,000; the employer also pays KRW 100,000
- Government adds KRW 100,000 — the government’s share is added last, completing the KRW 400,000 total
What you, as the employee, need to do here is clear. No matter how much you dig through the application page yourself, you won’t find an “apply” button — because there isn’t one for individuals. Asking your HR/general affairs team or the head of your company to “sign us up” is the real first step. It’s an easy ask, too — employers get benefits like a certificate of participation and bonus points toward government certifications (source: Korea Tourism Organization).
Where can you spend your points?
The KRW 400,000 in points can only be used on the dedicated mall, Vacation Shop (web and mobile app). You’re not spending it like cash anywhere — you use it to pay for registered domestic travel products.
- Accommodation: hotels, pensions, resorts, and other domestic lodging
- Transportation: KTX, flights, rental cars, and other transport
- Packaged travel products: regional tours and packages
- Attraction admission tickets: tourist spots, theme parks, and more
If you haven’t decided where to spend your KRW 400,000 yet, using a random destination picker to line up a day trip or weekend course first can make it easier to plan out how you’ll use up your points.
The points have an expiration date. If you just let them sit unused, they can expire — so before you apply, it’s worth confirming that you’ll actually take a domestic trip sometime this year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If my company won’t apply, can I get the benefit on my own?
Unfortunately, no. This program requires an employer-level application, so there’s no channel for individual employees to apply on their own. Asking your HR/general affairs team to participate is the only way in.
What happens if the budget runs out after I’ve already applied?
Since it’s first-come, first-served and closes once the budget is used up, a company that applies late could be shut out for that year. In 2026 the quota was expanded to 145,000 people in April, but applying early is still the safer bet.
If I put in KRW 200,000 but end up not traveling, can I get a refund?
Since the points can only be used on Vacation Shop, cash refunds are generally restricted. There’s also an expiration date, so it’s best to apply only once you’re sure you’ll take a domestic trip this year.
Can small business owners themselves take part?
If your business qualifies as a small business or SME, whether the owner or an executive can personally participate varies by business type. Before applying, it’s best to call the dedicated support center (1670-1330) to confirm exactly how your business is classified.
In short, whether the Worker Vacation Support Program works out for you comes down to “how quickly you can get your company moving.” If you’re an eligible employee at an SME, start today by asking your HR/general affairs team about their plans to join. Turning your KRW 200,000 into a KRW 400,000 domestic trip starts with that one question.