Moving to South Korea: visas, banking and SIM cards

By Minjun Park, South Korea host 24 October 2026 6 min read

Explore the dazzling night cityscape of Seoul, brightly illuminated with modern skyscrapers over the Han River. — Photo by O-seop Sim on Pexels

It is late October in Seoul, and the air has that specific crisp bite you only get when the silvergrass on Haneul Park turns gold. You have just landed at Incheon, shaking off the long flight, and the first thing you will notice is how fast life moves here. The city is alive with the autumn festivals—like the Seoul BBQ Festival at Nanji Hangang or the final Car-Free Jamsugyo Bridge events—but once you step out of the airport terminal, your focus needs to shift from sightseeing to survival. Getting your administrative house in order in South Korea is not about bureaucracy for its own sake; it is about unlocking the doors to daily life. Without these three things—a valid visa status, a local bank account, and a working SIM card—you are essentially a ghost in the machine: unable to sign leases, pay utilities, or even call a taxi reliably.

The Visa Landscape: ETA, e-Arrival, and the ARC

Your legal status is the foundation. If you are from one of the 67 visa-exempt countries—including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most of the EU—you likely do not need a traditional visa for short stays. South Korea has extended its temporary K-ETA exemption until 31 December 2026. This means for many travelers, showing a valid passport is enough. However, if you plan to stay longer than 90 days, or if you are not from an exempt country, the rules tighten significantly.

For those arriving under the visa-waiver program, you must file the free e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within three days of landing. Be careful: there are lookalike websites that charge fees. The official government portal is free. Alternatively, you can apply for a K-ETA for ₩10,000 (roughly $7), which is valid for three years and allows you to skip the arrival card entirely. Apply only at the official k-eta.go.kr site to avoid scams.

But here is the critical part for long-term residents: if you intend to stay more than 90 days, you must obtain an Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days of your entry. You will need to book an appointment via hikorea.go.kr, bring your passport, a 3.5×4.5cm photo, and ₩30,000 in cash for the fee. Late registration draws fines ranging from ₩200,000 to ₩1,000,000. The ARC is your golden ticket. It is the key that unlocks a postpaid phone contract, a bank account, and enrollment in the National Health Insurance system. Do not wait until the last minute; immigration offices can be crowded, and appointments fill up fast.

Banking: Navigating the Big Four

Once you have your ARC, you can open a bank account. South Korea’s financial sector is dominated by the “Big Four”: KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, and Hana banks. While some branches may offer limited accounts using just your passport while your ARC is pending, having the physical card makes the process seamless. When you walk into a branch, expect to state a purpose for the account, such as receiving salary or paying rent.

A word of caution regarding Woori Bank: they are notoriously strict about balance certificates for visa paperwork. If you need to prove funds for immigration purposes, ensure your money has sat in the account for at least three months or arrives directly from a family member abroad. Transferring large sums in quickly can trigger compliance reviews. For daily living, however, these banks are efficient. You will find branches in almost every district, from the luxury towers of Gangnam/Samseong to the university hubs of Hongdae. Remember that Seoul’s cost of living is rising; rents for a modest one-room flat (~33 m²) with a ₩10m deposit are averaging around ₩710,000 per month, so having a reliable domestic transfer system is essential for paying landlords who often prefer local transactions over international wire delays.

SIM Cards and Digital Life

You cannot survive in Seoul without a smartphone, and you cannot get a smartphone contract without an ARC. At the airport arrivals hall, you will see counters for KT, SK Telecom, and LG U+. Here, you can buy prepaid tourist SIMs or eSIMs. These are convenient for your first few weeks but are expensive for long-term use. They also lack the full functionality of a Korean ID number, which limits app registrations.

Once you have your ARC, switch to a postpaid plan in your own name. This gives you a permanent Korean phone number, which is required for everything from registering for gym memberships to verifying identities on social media. While Google Maps is popular globally, walking directions are limited in Korea. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap immediately. They are indispensable for navigating the subway lines, finding the nearest convenience store, and reading menus in real-time.

Daily Logistics: Transit and Safety

Seoul’s public transit is world-class. Your first purchase after the SIM should be a T-money card, a reloadable smart card usable on subways, buses, taxis, and even in convenience stores. The base fare for a single subway ride (first 10 km) is ₩1,550 (about $1.1) when paid with T-money, compared to ₩1,650 for a cash single-journey ticket plus a ₩500 refundable card deposit. If you are commuting daily, consider the Climate Card (Gifuhaengdong Card), which offers unlimited travel for roughly ₩62,000–₩65,000 per month.

Safety in Seoul is generally high, with very low street crime. However, crowd safety is a live concern following the 2022 Itaewon incident. Avoid packed downhill alleys during major festival nights, such as the upcoming Dogok Metasequoia Road Festa or the autumn Hangang Festival events. Instead, embrace the city’s open spaces. The Han River parks are where locals go to cycle, picnic, and watch the Banpo Moonlight Rainbow Fountain shows. Just remember: missing the last train is a far more common practical problem than any crime. Plan your return route before you head out for dinner.

Food costs are also shifting. Inflation is biting, with prices like a roll of gimbap creeping toward ₩4,000 and one-room rents jumping 5.2% recently. A bowl of bibimbap at a local spot might set you back ₩12,000, while kimchi jjigae baekban is around ₩8,846. Budget accordingly, but enjoy the rich culinary culture that makes this setup worth the effort.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to enter South Korea?

If you are from one of the 67 visa-exempt countries, you can enter with just a passport due to the K-ETA exemption extended until Dec 31, 2026. Otherwise, you must apply for a visa or use the free e-Arrival Card.

How do I get an Alien Registration Card (ARC)?

You must book an appointment on hikorea.go.kr within 90 days of entry, bring your passport, a 3.5x4.5cm photo, and ₩30,000 cash to your district immigration office.

Can I open a bank account with just my passport?

Some banks may offer limited accounts with just a passport, but having an ARC is strongly recommended for full access. Woori Bank is particularly strict about balance history for visa documentation.

What map app should I use in Seoul?

Download Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps walking directions are limited in Korea, and these local apps are essential for navigating the subway and finding businesses.

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