Korea survival kit

☎️ Save these numbers now

• 112 Police
• 119 Fire and ambulance
• 1345 Immigration Contact Center (many languages)
• 1330 Travel hotline & interpretation (24/7)
• 1577-1366 Danuri (migrants & families, 15 languages)
• 1577-0071 Foreign worker counseling
• 1350 Labor ministry (wages, labor)
• 033-811-2000 Health insurance (NHIS) in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Uzbek (weekdays 9-18)

🗓 Your first 30 days

1. Book and apply for your residence card · Book on HiKorea, bring passport, photo, proof of address and documents for your status. The card usually takes a few weeks.
2. Get a phone plan · Before your card, use a prepaid SIM with your passport. After it, get a plan in your own name. Most app identity checks need a phone in your name.
3. Open a bank account · Usually easier with your residence card and phone. Students can use the campus branch. Transfer limits may start low.
4. Check health insurance · Check your enrollment and premium with NHIS and set up auto-payment to avoid arrears.
5. Address registration · Report moves within 15 days and keep the address on your card up to date.
6. Transit card and map apps · Get a T-money card (or a card with transit) and install Naver Map or KakaoMap.
7. Save emergency numbers · Save 112 police, 119 ambulance/fire, 1345 immigration help, 1330 travel hotline, and your embassy.

⚠️ Rules you must know

• Alien registration within 90 days · If you stay more than 90 days, register at your local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. Not registering can lead to fines or removal. Book a visit on HiKorea.
• Report a move within 15 days · Registered foreigners must report a new address within 15 days, at the community center, immigration office or HiKorea.
• Extending your stay: from 4 months before expiry · Apply from 4 months before your stay ends until the expiry date (the day before, online). Late applications can be fined.
• Short trips: no re-entry permit within 1 year (F-5: 2 years) · Registered foreigners who return within 1 year of leaving (or before their stay expires, if sooner) do not need a re-entry permit. Permanent residents (F-5): 2 years. Overseas Koreans (F-4): within the permitted stay. For longer trips, get a multiple re-entry permit before leaving.
• Health insurance: automatic after 6 months · After registering and staying 6 months, you are automatically enrolled in National Health Insurance. D-2, F-6, F-5 and E-9 holders are enrolled at registration. Unpaid premiums can affect visa extensions.

🛡 Scam alerts

• Immigration offices never ask for documents or personal data by international phone call. Report such calls to 1394 or 112.
• It is illegal for an employer or broker to keep your passport or residence card as security (Immigration Act, Article 33-3).
• The Employment Permit System (EPS) blocks private brokers. Be careful if anyone asks for money to get you a job or a visa.
• Watch for brokers promising fast visas or jobs for money, deposit scams and fake immigration texts with links. Verify through HiKorea or 1345.

💴 Minimum wage and unpaid wages

Minimum wage in 2026 is ₩10,320 per hour, and ₩10,700 from 1 January 2027. It applies to foreign workers and part-time jobs too. If your wages are not paid, call 1350 (Korean, English) or 1577-0071 (18 languages), or file a free claim on the Labor Portal (labor.moel.go.kr).

🎓 Visa guides

D-2 Student · D-4 Language trainee · D-10 Job seeker · E-2 Language instructor · E-7 Professional · E-9 Non-professional employment (EPS) · F-2 Resident · F-4 Overseas Korean · F-5 Permanent resident · F-6 Marriage migrant · H-1 Working holiday · C-3 Short-term visitor

Checked 2026-10-12 · General guidance, not legal or visa advice. For your case, check HiKorea or call 1345.