Moving to Korea Checklist: Your First 60 Days Step-by-Step

Quick Answer

Moving to Korea as a foreigner follows a strict sequence: get a temporary SIM, book your ARC (Alien Registration Card, now called Residence Card) appointment, receive your card, open a bank account, then switch to a real phone plan. The whole administrative setup takes 4-6 weeks from landing. Mess up the order and you will waste weeks waiting.

The Timeline

The critical dependency chain:

Visa --> Temporary SIM --> ARC appointment --> ARC card --> Bank account --> Postpaid phone --> Full access

Step-by-Step Guide

Before You Arrive

1. Secure Your Visa

You need a valid long-term visa before entering Korea. See our visa types guide for details on each category. Common visa types:

What you need: Passport valid for 6+ months, visa application completed at Korean embassy/consulate in your home country.

2. Prepare Documents (Bring Originals + Copies)

Pack these in your carry-on, not checked luggage:

• Passport (valid 6+ months)
• Visa Grant Notice / visa sticker in passport
• Passport-size photos: 3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background, taken within last 6 months (bring 4-5 copies)
• Employment contract or university admission letter
• Proof of accommodation (Airbnb confirmation, hotel booking, or housing contract)
• Apostilled documents if required (degree certificate, criminal background check)
• Cash: at least 500,000 KRW (~$370 USD) for first-week expenses (immigration fees, transport, food)
• International debit/credit card that works overseas (Visa/Mastercard; notify your bank)
• Phone unlocked for Korean SIM cards (check with your carrier before departure)
• Travel insurance covering first 1-3 months (before NHIS kicks in)

3. Download Essential Apps Before Landing

Tip: Some apps require a Korean App Store. Create a spare Google account with Korea as the region, or switch your Apple ID region temporarily.

4. Book Temporary Accommodation (First 2-4 Weeks)

You need a place to land while you sort out permanent housing. Options:

Recommendation: Book 2-4 weeks of temporary housing before arrival. A goshiwon or Airbnb works fine as a landing pad. You can view permanent apartments in person during week 2-3.

Where to search:

• Airbnb (airbnb.com)
• FOHO / ForeignerHome (foreignerhome.com) — foreigner-focused, multilingual
• Goshiwon listings on Naver or direct walk-ins in university areas (Sinchon, Hongdae, Gangnam)

Day 1: Airport and Getting to Your Place

At Incheon Airport

Step 1: Get a SIM Card or eSIM

You need a Korean phone number immediately. Almost everything (deliveries, banking OTPs, taxi apps, immigration booking) requires one. For a detailed breakdown of SIM options and identity verification, see our phone verification guide.

Recommendation: Buy a prepaid SIM with a Korean phone number at the airport counter. Data-only eSIMs are fine for tourists, but as a resident you need an actual callable number for ARC appointment booking and bank verification. Budget 30,000-55,000 KRW.

Common mistake: Getting a data-only eSIM and realizing you can’t receive verification calls or SMS for Korean services.

Step 2: Get a T-money Card

T-money is the rechargeable transit card for subways, buses, and some taxis across Korea.

• Where: Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) in the airport or anywhere in the city
• Cost: 2,500-4,000 KRW ($2-$3) for the card
• Recharge: Cash at convenience stores or subway station machines (1,000-90,000 KRW increments)
• Tip: Load at least 20,000 KRW for your first few days of transit

Alternatively, you can add T-money functionality to your phone via the T-money app or Apple/Samsung Pay (may require Korean card setup later).

Step 3: Get to Your Accommodation

From Incheon Airport to Seoul:

Recommendation: AREX Express if going to/through Seoul Station. AREX All-Stop if your destination is near Hongdae or DMC. Airport bus if going to Gangnam, Jamsil, or other areas not on the AREX line.

From Gimpo Airport: Subway lines 5 and 9 connect directly. Taxi to central Seoul is 20,000-35,000 KRW.

Week 1: The Essentials

1. Book Your ARC (Residence Card) Appointment

Do this on Day 1-2. Appointment slots fill up fast, especially during peak periods (March-April, September-October when students arrive). See our ARC guide for the full application process and required documents.

How to book:

1. Go to HiKorea (available in English)
2. Click “Reserve Visit” under “Petition Application”
3. Select “Visit Reservation Application (Non-member)”
4. Choose “Identity verification using passport number”
5. Select “Foreign Resident Registration”
6. Pick your nearest immigration office based on your accommodation address
7. Select available date and time

Wait time for appointment: 1-2 weeks normally; 3-4 weeks during peak periods (March/April, September/October).

Tip: Check the site daily for cancellation slots if the earliest appointment is weeks away. Mornings tend to have more availability.

Common mistake: Waiting until week 3-4 to book. By then, you are looking at a 5-6 week wait and potentially missing the 90-day registration deadline.

2. Seoul Immigration Offices by District

Your appointment must be at the office that covers your registered address area. Key offices:

• Seoul Southern (서울남부): Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa, Gangdong
• Seoul (서울): Jongno, Jung-gu, Yongsan, Seongbuk, etc.
• Seoul Western (서울서부): Mapo, Seodaemun, Eunpyeong
• Sejongno (세종로): Central Seoul (some visa types)

Check HiKorea for the full district-to-office mapping.

3. Prepare ARC Application Documents

Gather these before your appointment:

Proof of residence varies by your situation:

Common mistake: Not bringing enough cash. ATMs at immigration offices may not accept foreign cards. Bring 50,000 KRW in cash to be safe (fees + photos + copies).

4. Get Oriented in Your Neighborhood

During week 1, while waiting for your ARC appointment:

• Find the nearest subway station and learn your commute route (use Naver Map)
• Locate the nearest convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven — they are everywhere)
• Find the nearest large grocery (Homeplus, E-Mart, Lotte Mart) or small market
• Download and set up KakaoTalk with your temporary number
• Practice ordering food via delivery apps (Baemin/Coupang Eats) — English support is limited but improving
• Visit your local district office (구청, gu-cheong) to know where it is; you may need it later for address registration

Week 2-4: Getting Set Up

5. Attend Your ARC Appointment

On appointment day:

• Arrive 20 minutes early
• Bring ALL documents listed above (originals + copies)
• Bring cash (exact amount preferred; change-making is not guaranteed)
• The process takes 30-60 minutes on-site
• You will be fingerprinted and photographed
• Copies are available on-site for ~500 KRW per page if you forgot anything

After the appointment:

• You receive a receipt, not the card itself
• Card processing takes 2-4 weeks (typically 2 weeks, up to 1 month in rare cases)
• Card is delivered to your registered address or you pick it up (depends on what you chose)
• Make sure someone is home to receive the delivery, or choose office pickup

What your ARC number looks like: 13 digits starting with your birth year. Format: YYMMDD-XXXXXXX. This number is your Korean ID for everything.

6. Receive Your ARC and Open a Bank Account

Once you have your physical ARC card in hand, it’s time to open a bank account. Here’s a quick comparison:

Which bank to choose:

Documents needed:

• ARC (Residence Card) — mandatory at most banks
• Passport
• Korean phone number (for SMS verification)
• Proof of address (rental contract preferred)
• Employment contract or school enrollment letter (some banks request this)
• Initial deposit: 1,000-10,000 KRW minimum

Process:

1. Visit a branch in person (online account opening not available for foreigners)
2. Take a number and wait (budget 30-60 minutes total)
3. Fill out application forms
4. Say YES to online/mobile banking setup even if it does not work immediately with your temporary phone — it will be activated once you switch to a postpaid number
5. Receive your debit card (체크카드) on the spot or within 1-2 weeks by mail

Daily transfer/withdrawal limits: Initially low for new foreign accounts (often 300,000-500,000 KRW/day). Bring your employment contract and pay stubs to request higher limits.

Cost: Free for basic savings account. ATM withdrawals at other banks: 500-1,000 KRW per transaction.

Common mistakes:

• Going without your ARC (most banks will not open an account without it)
• Going during lunch hour (12-1 PM) or Friday afternoon (busiest times)
• Not asking for mobile banking activation
• Forgetting to bring proof of address or employment

Tip: Go on a Monday or Tuesday morning for shorter wait times.

Can you open a bank account without ARC? Some branches allow a basic account with just your passport, but with severe restrictions (low limits, no mobile banking, limited functionality). Not recommended unless urgent.

New in 2025: Six banks (Shinhan, Hana, iM, Busan, Jeonbuk, Jeju) now accept the Mobile ARC for account opening as of March 21, 2025.

7. Switch to a Postpaid Phone Plan

Why switch: Prepaid SIMs work for calls and data but cannot be used for Korean identity verification (본인인증), which you need for signing up on Korean websites, government services, delivery apps, and more. A postpaid plan tied to your ARC gives you full access.

What you need:

• ARC (Residence Card)
• Korean bank account with debit card (for auto-payment)
• Passport

Options:

Process:

1. Visit a carrier store (not a convenience store — you need the official store for postpaid)
2. Bring ARC, passport, and Korean bank card
3. Choose your plan
4. Request number portability (번호이동, beonho-idong) if you want to keep your prepaid number
5. Setup takes 30-60 minutes

After switching:

• Update your phone number at your bank (visit branch or use the app)
• Update KakaoTalk and other apps with your new number
• Mobile banking and Korean identity verification should now work

Common mistake: Not requesting number portability when switching. If you lose your prepaid number, you lose all the verification codes and accounts linked to it.

Month 1-2: Settling In

8. Find Permanent Housing

Now that you have an ARC, bank account, and phone plan, you can sign a proper lease. See our apartment-finding guide for the full process and our Jeonse vs Wolse guide for rental system details.

Korea’s rental system:

For most foreigners, wolse is the practical choice.

Typical costs for a studio/officetel in Seoul:

How to find housing:

• Licensed real estate agents (공인중개사, budongsan): Walk into offices in your desired neighborhood. They show you available units. Commission: 0.3-0.9% of annual rent.
• Zigbang (직방) / Dabang (다방) apps: Korean-language listing apps. Filter by area, price, type.
• ForeignerHome (foreignerhome.com): English-language listings, foreigner-focused support.
• Peter Pan (피터팬) cafe on Naver: Popular direct-from-landlord listings (Korean only).

Documents needed for a lease:

• ARC
• Passport
• Bank account (for deposit transfer and monthly rent autopay)
• Employment verification or proof of income (some landlords request this)

Critical protections:

• Register your lease at the local district office (구청) within 14 days of signing. This gives your deposit legal priority if the landlord defaults.
• Get jeonse deposit insurance if putting down a large deposit (available through SGI or HUG).
• Take timestamped photos of the apartment condition at move-in.

Inspection checklist when viewing:

• Check windows for mold and proper sealing
• Stand quietly for 60 seconds to assess noise levels
• Test hot water (should arrive within 30-60 seconds)
• Check drainage in bathroom and kitchen
• Test heating (ondol) and AC
• Verify Wi-Fi signal strength
• Check digital door lock function
• Confirm fire safety equipment
• Get written deposit refund conditions

Red flags:

• “All cash, no contract” arrangements
• Landlord refusing to itemize monthly costs
• Visible mold or poor ventilation
• No fire extinguisher
• Pressure to pay before signing a contract

Hidden costs to ask about:

• Management fee (관리비, gwanlibi): 50,000-150,000 KRW/month for officetels/apartments. Ask what it includes (heating, water, internet, parking, or not).
• Utilities (전기/가스/수도): Often separate from management fee. Winter heating bills can spike to 100,000-200,000 KRW/month.
• Internet: 20,000-30,000 KRW/month if not included.

9. Register for National Health Insurance (NHIS)

Who must enroll: All foreigners staying over 6 months with a valid ARC are legally required to enroll in NHIS. For complete details on premiums, coverage, and the gap period before enrollment, see our health insurance guide.

Timeline:

• Employed: Your employer should register you within 14 days of hire. The cost is split 50/50 (approximately 3.43% of salary each).
• Self-employed/freelance: You must register yourself. Visit the NHIS office.
• Students: Often automatically enrolled. Premium in 2025: ~76,390 KRW/month.

Registration process:

1. Gather documents: ARC, passport, proof of address, employment/income verification
2. Visit your regional NHIS office (find yours at nhis.or.kr)
3. Complete application forms (available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese)
4. Receive premium assessment in 7-10 business days
5. Set up payment (bank auto-debit)
6. Receive insurance card in 2-3 weeks

Coverage begins: First day of the month following your application.

Monthly cost:

What NHIS covers (after copay):

• Hospital visits: you pay ~30% outpatient, ~20% inpatient
• Emergency care: ~10% copay
• Prescription medications: 20-30% copay
• Diagnostic tests, surgery, rehabilitation
• Annual health checkups (free for eligible enrollees)
• Basic dental (essential procedures only; cosmetic not covered)

Common mistake: Delaying enrollment. Late enrollment can trigger back-premiums and penalties. If your employer handles it, confirm they actually registered you.

NHIS hotline: 1577-1000 (press 7 for English) or 033-811-2000 (English, Chinese, Vietnamese)

10. Address Registration and Other Admin

Register your address at the district office (구청): Once you have a permanent address, visit your local gu-cheong to update your registered address. This updates your ARC information and is needed for voting eligibility (if applicable), local services, and mail delivery.

Get a Korean driver’s license (optional): If you have a valid international driving permit (IDP), it is valid for 1 year. For a Korean license, you can convert your home country license at a driver’s license exam center (면허시험장). Some countries have reciprocal agreements for direct conversion; others require a simplified test.

Set up internet at home:

• Major providers: KT, SKT, LG U+
• Cost: 20,000-40,000 KRW/month for 100Mbps-1Gbps
• Installation: 1-3 days after signing up
• Contract: Usually 1-3 year commitment with early termination fees

Important Notes

Cash Is Still King for Government Services

Immigration fees, photo booths, and some government offices only accept cash. Always carry at least 50,000 KRW in cash during your first month.

The “Real Name Verification” Barrier

Many Korean websites and apps require identity verification (본인인증) through a postpaid phone plan tied to your ARC. Until you have this, you cannot:

• Sign up for many Korean websites (Naver, Kakao accounts with full features)
• Use certain delivery services
• Register for government online services
• Set up certain mobile banking features

This is why the ARC —> bank account —> postpaid phone chain is so critical.

Working Days vs. Calendar Days

Immigration processing times are in business days, not calendar days. “2 weeks” means 10 business days, so expect about 14 calendar days minimum.

Peak Immigration Periods

March-April and September-October see massive surges at immigration offices due to university semester starts. Book appointments early. Expect longer processing times during these windows.

Keep Your Old SIM

Do not throw away your prepaid SIM after switching to postpaid. Keep it as a backup. Some verification codes may still be tied to the old number during transition.

Photo Booths Are Everywhere

If you did not bring passport photos, nearly every subway station has a photo booth (인생네컷 or similar). Immigration-spec photos cost 6,000-10,000 KRW for 4-8 prints.

Common Questions

Q: Can I do anything without an ARC? Very little beyond basic tourism. You can use your passport for hotels, prepaid SIMs, and cash transactions. But bank accounts, phone plans, housing contracts, and health insurance all require an ARC.

Q: How soon should I book my ARC appointment? Day 1 or 2 after arrival. Slots fill up, especially in peak months. The legal deadline is 90 days from visa activation, but the practical deadline is “as soon as possible” because everything else depends on it.

Q: What if I change my address after getting the ARC? Report the change within 14 days at your local immigration office or district office. You can also update it on HiKorea online. Failure to report can result in fines.

Q: Can I use a foreign credit card in Korea? Yes, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at stores and restaurants. But many online services, delivery apps, and subscription payments require a Korean card. Get your Korean bank debit card set up as soon as possible.

Q: What is the Mobile ARC? Launched in 2025, it is a digital version of your Residence Card on your phone. Some banks and services accept it, but not all. Keep the physical card with you until digital acceptance is universal.

Q: Do I need to speak Korean? Not strictly, especially in Seoul. But learning basic Hangul (the alphabet, learnable in a few hours) and survival phrases makes daily life dramatically easier. Most government offices and banks in non-tourist areas have limited English support.

Q: What if my employer is supposed to handle registration but has not? Follow up immediately. Some employers delay or forget. You are legally responsible for your own ARC registration within 90 days. If your employer will not help, go to the immigration office yourself with your employment contract.

Q: How much money should I bring for the first two months?

Checklist Summary

Print this and check off as you go:

Before Arrival:

• Visa secured
• Documents prepared (passport, photos, contracts, apostilled docs)
• Temporary housing booked (2-4 weeks)
• Phone unlocked
• Cash ready (500,000+ KRW or equivalent)
• Apps downloaded (Naver Map, KakaoTalk, Papago, Kakao T)
• Travel insurance active

Day 1:

• Prepaid SIM with Korean phone number purchased
• T-money card purchased and loaded
• Arrived at temporary accommodation
• ARC appointment booked on HiKorea

Week 1-2:

• ARC appointment attended
• All documents submitted to immigration
• Neighborhood explored (subway, convenience store, grocery)

Week 2-4:

• ARC (Residence Card) received
• Bank account opened (KEB Hana, KB Kookmin, or Shinhan recommended)
• Debit card received
• Mobile banking activated
• Postpaid phone plan activated (number ported from prepaid)
• Bank phone number updated to postpaid number

Month 1-2:

• Permanent housing found and lease signed
• Lease registered at district office (within 14 days)
• Address updated on ARC
• NHIS health insurance enrolled (or confirmed employer did it)
• Internet set up at home
• Korean identity verification (본인인증) working on phone
• Settled in

Sources

• Digital Nomads Korea - Moving to Korea Complete Guide
• Citygram Seoul - ARC Guide 2026
• Citygram Seoul - Rent Apartment Korea
• Citygram Seoul - SIM Card & Phone Plan Guide
• Enkostay - ARC, Bank Account and Insurance Guide
• Enkostay - Opening Bank Account
• Enkostay - Renting in South Korea
• Korea Living Guide - Banking Complete Guide
• Korea Living Guide - How to Rent Apartment
• ForeignerHome - Korea Housing Guide 2025
• ForeignerHome - SIM Card Guide 2025
• ForeignerHome - Banks in Korea Guide 2025
• ForeignerHome - Jeonse vs Wolse vs Banjeonse
• 10mag - SIM Cards and Phone Plans in Korea
• HacksKorea - NHIS Guide 2025
• NHIS Official - Guidance for Foreigners
• Korea With Me - ARC Guide
• Korea With Me - Bank Account Guide
• Ctrl+Alt+Korea - ARC Step-by-Step Guide
• Trazy Blog - Residence Card in Seoul 2026
• Allo Korea - Housing Guide 2026
• Korea.net - Mobile ARC for Banking (March 2025)
• Torn Tackies - 19 Things Before Moving to South Korea
• Bamboo Routes - South Korea Expat Guide 2026