Everything a foreigner needs to live in Korea β visa, bank account, healthcare, housing, phone and daily life explained step by step.
Click any guide to get the full step-by-step breakdown.
Tourist, working holiday, D-10 job seeker, E-2 English teacher β all visa types with requirements and application steps.
How to open a Korean bank account as a foreigner, which bank to choose, KakaoBank setup, sending money abroad.
National Health Insurance (NHI) enrollment, types of hospitals, foreigner-friendly clinics, pharmacies and emergency care.
Jeonse vs wolse vs goshiwon β Korea's unique rental system explained, how to find a room, and what to expect in the contract.
How to get a Korean phone number, comparing KT/SKT/LG U+, budget MVNO options, and the 10 essential apps for living in Korea.
Foreigner registration card, trash sorting system, cost of living budget, convenience store life, and Korean workplace culture.
Your first-30-days checklist when you arrive in Korea.
Within 90 days of arrival, register at your local Immigration Office (μΆμ κ΅κ΄λ¦¬μ¬λ¬΄μ). Required for almost everything: bank account, phone, insurance. Bring passport + visa + passport photo.
IBK (κΈ°μ μν) and KEB Hana are most foreigner-friendly. Bring ARC + passport. IBK branches near universities are used to foreigners. KakaoBank can be set up on your phone after you have a Korean number.
Visit any carrier store (KT, SKT, LG U+) with your ARC + passport. Or buy a prepaid SIM at the airport. A Korean number is needed for bank apps, Naver, Kakao etc.
If employed, your company handles this. If self-employed or long-stay, visit NHIS (κ΅λ―Όκ±΄κ°λ³΄ν곡λ¨) or enroll online. Monthly premium: ~β©100,000β150,000 for most foreigners.
Use Zigbang (μ§λ°©) or Dabang (λ€λ°©) apps to find rooms. Consider a goshiwon (κ³ μμ) for the first month while you find a proper apartment. Have a Korean friend or colleague review the contract.
KakaoTalk (messaging), Naver Maps (navigation), Coupang (delivery), Baemin (food delivery), Toss (banking), KakaoTaxi (transport). These 6 apps cover 90% of daily needs.
Realistic monthly budgets for foreigners in Seoul.
| Expense | Budget (κ³ μμ) | Mid-range (μλ£Έ) | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | β©350,000β500,000 | β©600,000β900,000 | β©1,200,000+ |
| Food (cooking + eating out) | β©250,000 | β©400,000 | β©600,000 |
| Transport (T-money) | β©60,000 | β©80,000 | β©100,000 |
| Phone plan | β©20,000 (MVNO) | β©40,000 | β©60,000+ |
| Health insurance (NHI) | β©70,000 | β©100,000 | β©130,000 |
| Utilities | Included | β©80,000 | β©130,000 |
| Total / month | ~β©750Kβ850K | ~β©1.3Mβ1.6M | ~β©2.2M+ |
β©1,000 β $0.74 USD. Seoul is significantly cheaper than London, Tokyo, or Sydney for equivalent quality of life.
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