If you have already sorted out your residence status and health care, it is now time to settle into everyday life. This article is the third and final part of the New to Korea? guide, bringing together everything you need to live in Korea in one place. Rather than covering every detail here, we link you to a dedicated guide for each topic. You do not need to do everything at once. Work through things one by one, starting with the most urgent. The order below is one that many people have found helpful.
Here are the items worth checking quickly first. Once you have your Alien Registration Card, many people take care of opening a bank account, setting up a mobile phone, and getting a transit card first. If you have children, registering for school or daycare comes next, followed by enrolling in free Korean language classes if Korean is difficult for you, and checking what work your visa allows if you are looking for a job.
Process Overview at a Glance
- 1. Open a bank account and get a transit card
Use your Alien Registration Card to open an account at a nearby bank branch, and buy a transit card at a convenience store so you are ready to use the subway and bus.
- 2. Set up a mobile phone
Activating a phone at a carrier store using your Alien Registration Card makes bank authentication and contact with government offices much easier.
- 3. Apply for utilities at your home
Once your address is settled, apply for electricity, water, gas, and heating. If your household has a low income, also check whether you qualify for housing benefit support.
- 4. Register children for school or daycare
Children who are subject to compulsory education may enroll regardless of residence status, and you can also apply for childcare cost support.
- 5. Enroll in Korean language classes
Enrolling in free Sejong Institute classes or the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) helps with daily life and can benefit your residence extension or naturalization review.
- 6. Check what work your visa allows, then start working
Working outside what your visa permits can lead to serious penalties, so confirm what your visa allows before you begin any job.
Money: Bank Accounts and Finance
The starting point for daily life is a bank account. You need one to receive your salary, pay utility bills, and send money. You can usually open an account at a nearby bank branch using your Alien Registration Card. For how to open an account, see the Bank Account Opening Guide. For a broader overview covering debit cards, money transfers, savings, and protecting yourself from financial fraud, see the Financial Life Basics guide.
There is one thing you must always remember. Never lend your bank book or ID to another person. If someone says “just lend it to me for a moment” or “I will pay you a fee” and you hand over your account, you can be held criminally liable. Do not do this under any circumstances.
Housing and Utilities
When looking for housing, households with a low income may be able to receive support such as housing benefit (Jugeogeubyeo).
Details on who qualifies and how to apply are in the Housing Benefit Guide. Once you have a home, you will need to apply for electricity, water, gas, and heating. For how to apply and how to pay the bills, see the Electricity, Water, Gas, and Heating Guide. Things like waste sorting and recycling, noise between floors, and greeting your neighbors can feel unfamiliar at first. Reading the Korean Daily Life, Culture, and Customs guide in advance will be helpful.
Mobile Phone and Transport
You can activate a mobile phone using your Alien Registration Card by visiting a carrier store. Having a phone makes bank authentication, contact with government offices, and staying in touch with family and friends much easier.
For getting around, a transit card is the most convenient option. You can buy one at a nearby convenience store, top it up, and use it on the subway and bus. When transferring between buses or between bus and subway, you receive a transfer discount, which saves on fares.
If you plan to drive, check the Korean Driver’s License Guide for information on getting a license and having a foreign license recognized.
Learning Korean
It is a good idea to start with expressions you will use every day, such as greetings, numbers, and asking for directions. Practicing a little consistently is the fastest way to improve.
Children’s Schooling
If you have children, you can enroll them in Korean schools. Children who are subject to compulsory education may attend school regardless of their residence status. For information on enrollment procedures, adjusting to school life, and after-school care, see Enrolling Children in Korean Schools and Childcare. For childcare cost support available when sending children to a daycare center or kindergarten, see the Childcare Support Guide.
Employment
Before you start working, the most important thing to do is confirm what kind of work your visa allows. The range of permitted work differs by visa type, and working outside what is permitted can lead to serious penalties. Check what is permitted for your status first at the Work by Visa Type Guide. Once you start working, it is important to know your rights regarding wages, working hours, rest, and how to respond to unfair treatment. See the Labor Rights Basics guide.
Next Steps
The specific procedures for things like banking, utility bills, phone plans, and driver’s licenses covered in this guide can change over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please check with your bank or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345. If you would like to read all three parts of the guide from the beginning, see New to Korea? ① Residence and Status and ② Health, Hospitals, and Insurance as well. If you are ever unsure where to ask for help or run into a problem, feel free to call the 1345 Immigration Contact Center at any time. Assistance is available in multiple languages.