Settlement Guide
The essential steps for living in Korea, gathered in one place.
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
If you stay in Korea for more than 90 days, you must register as a foreign resident at your local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. Registration gives you an Alien Registration Number and card (ARC) — the basic ID for almost everything: banking, phone, health insurance, contracts. Missing the deadline can lead to penalties.
Opening a Bank Account
With your ARC you can open a bank account in your own name. Due to anti-fraud rules, new accounts often start as a “limited account” with caps on transfers and withdrawals. This is a normal first step — limits can be lifted as you build transaction history (salary deposits, debit card use) or show proof of job/income.
Getting a Mobile Phone Plan
You can get a phone plan with your passport or ARC. For short stays, a prepaid (USIM) plan works with just your passport; for longer stays, a postpaid plan with your ARC and a bank account/card is usually cheaper and better for identity verification. A phone number in your own name is key for bank and government verification.
National Health Insurance
Foreigners staying in Korea for 6 months or more must join the National Health Insurance (NHIS). If employed, you’re enrolled automatically through your workplace; otherwise you’re enrolled as a local subscriber and pay a monthly premium. It greatly cuts hospital costs. Unpaid premiums limit your coverage at clinics, and arrears can count against you in visa-extension reviews.
Finding a Home (Jeonse & Wolse)
Renting in Korea is mainly “jeonse” (a large deposit, no monthly rent) or “wolse” (a smaller deposit + monthly rent). Sign through a licensed realtor, and before signing, check the property registry (등기부등본) for the true owner and any debts (liens). After moving in, file a resident registration + get a “fixed date” — this gives you the legal standing to protect your deposit. Preventing deposit scams matters most.
Driver’s License
If your home country has a license-recognition agreement with Korea, you can “exchange” a valid foreign license for a Korean one after only a physical (aptitude) check — no written or driving test. Other countries must take the full Korean exam. Eligible countries and documents vary, so check with KoROAD first.
Taxes & Year-End Settlement
If you’re employed in Korea, income tax is withheld from your salary each month, and early each year (usually Jan–Feb) a year-end settlement (연말정산) reconciles your annual tax — you get a refund or pay more. Foreign workers may choose a flat-rate special option instead of the progressive rates (but lose deductions); whether it’s better depends on your situation. If you have freelance/business income, you also file a separate global income tax return each May.
Transit Card & Public Transport
In Korea, one transit card works on subways, buses, and taxis. Buy a T-money card at a convenience store, recharge it with cash, and you’re ready — transfer discounts apply automatically. If you commute often, money-back/pass programs like K-Pass (nationwide) or Seoul’s Climate Card (unlimited pass) can save a lot.
Garbage & Recycling
In Korea, you sort garbage by type. General waste goes in a “volume-rate bag (종량제 봉투)” sold locally; recyclables are separated for free; food waste is disposed of separately; clear PET bottles are collected on their own. Rules (day/place) vary by district and between houses and apartments. Wrong disposal can bring fines.
Emergency & Helplines
Key numbers for emergencies and everyday help. Call 119 for fire, injury, or an ambulance; 112 for crime or accidents. 119/112 can connect interpretation and are free. If you don’t know your location, describe nearby buildings or street names. Save these in advance.
Using Hospitals
When sick, start at a nearby clinic, then go to a hospital/specialist if needed. With health insurance, costs drop a lot. Get a doctor’s prescription and buy medicine at a pharmacy. Some hospitals and call centers (1345, 1577-1366) offer interpretation. For full insurance benefits at big hospitals, you usually need a referral.
Reporting an Address Change
Registered foreigners who move must report the new address within 14 days. Report at the community center (eup/myeon/dong) of your new address or at an immigration office, or file online via Hi Korea / Gov24. Keep the residence info on your ARC up to date to avoid fines and to receive mail and bills correctly.
Enrolling Your Child in School
Foreign children can enroll or transfer into Korean public schools (elementary–high) regardless of visa status or nationality. You usually start at the local community center or school, and even without school records, a passport or birth document can suffice. If Korean is limited, Korean-language classes, multicultural support, or off-site preparatory programs help them adjust.
Social Integration Program (KIIP)
A Korean-language and society-understanding program (KIIP) run by the Ministry of Justice. You study in stages (Korean levels 0–4 + Understanding Korean Society), with a pre-test setting your start level. Completing it brings benefits for visa extension, permanent residency (F-5), and naturalization (e.g., test exemptions, favorable review), helping both settlement and your visa. Apply/test on Soci-Net and the test site (kiiptest.org).
Pregnancy & Childbirth Support
Foreigners enrolled in health insurance can receive maternity care similar to Korean nationals. If you’re registered (ARC or domestic residence report), you can use the pregnancy/childbirth medical voucher (National Happiness Card) and your local health center’s prenatal tests, supplements, and classes. After birth, handle follow-ups like the child’s birth registration and status.
Utility Bills (Electricity, Gas, Water)
Living in a home means monthly electricity, gas, and water bills. Electricity is KEPCO (☎123), gas is your regional city-gas company, water is the local waterworks office. Bills come by paper or text, payable by auto-transfer, app, bank, or convenience store. In apartments they’re often inside the maintenance fee. Long non-payment can cut off service, so pay on time.
Home Internet & Wi-Fi
Home internet (Wi-Fi) is set up by applying to a provider (KT, SK Broadband, LG U+) with a technician install. A contract (1–3 years) lowers the monthly fee and may include a cash gift, and bundling with your phone adds a combo discount. You can sign up with your ARC number and a bank account/card in your name. Cancelling mid-contract can trigger a penalty, so check the term.
Foreigner Help & Support Centers
When something feels overwhelming in Korea, there are free, multilingual public help lines. The right one differs by topic — visa, work, daily life, or emergencies. Most offer interpretation, are free, and keep consultations confidential. You can ask freely even if you’re worried about your visa.
Learning Korean (Free & Low-cost Classes)
Korean helps with daily life, jobs, and even visa points. The government, local authorities, and nonprofits run free or low-cost classes, and online options like the Online Sejong Institute let you study free from home. Pick what fits your situation (worker, student, marriage migrant, etc.). Linking it to KIIP or TOPIK helps with visa, PR, and jobs.
Childcare (Daycare for Children)
Young children of foreign families can attend daycare (eorinijip — public/private) or kindergarten. To enroll, you can waitlist on the Childcare Portal (childcare.go.kr) or apply directly at a facility. However, government childcare subsidies are usually limited to nationals/marriage-migrant families; many foreign children pay fees directly. Some local governments offer their own support — always check.
TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test)
TOPIK certifies the Korean ability of non-native speakers. It’s used for university admission/graduation, some visas (residence/work), as the Korean proof in K-Point (visa score), and for jobs. TOPIK I covers levels 1–2 (listening·reading); TOPIK II covers levels 3–6 (listening·reading·writing); your level is set by total score. Besides paper (PBT), there are computer-based (IBT) and speaking tests. Check schedules at topik.go.kr.
This is general guidance and may change over time. Always verify the latest details with the official source before applying.