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Life in Korea — 한국 생활 안내

Visa basics, your first 30 days, and everyday tips for foreigners living in Korea.

Visa types

Key rules

• 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. source
• Report a move within 15 days — Registered foreigners must report a new address within 15 days, at the community center, immigration office or HiKorea. source
• 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. source
• 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. source
• 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. source

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.

Everyday tips

• When identity verification fails — Most sign-up blocks (Kakao, Naver, delivery apps) happen because you do not have a Korean phone in your own name. Once you have your residen…
• Use Naver Map or KakaoMap — Google Maps directions are limited in Korea. Naver Map and KakaoMap have English and show live bus and subway times.
• Eating alone — Many BBQ places need two orders. Look for solo-friendly menus or find a meal buddy on omeetu.
• Sorting your trash — General waste goes in your district's official pay-as-you-throw bags; food waste and recycling are separate. Days and times differ by distri…
• Renting: key terms — Check the deposit (returned), monthly rent and maintenance fee separately. Jeonse means one large deposit and has many scams; check the prop…
• Going to a clinic — For colds or stomach trouble, visit a local clinic; for serious issues, a general hospital. Your card and insurance cut costs a lot. For lan…
• Keep a little cash — Cards work almost everywhere, but markets, street food and some top-ups need cash.
• Parcels and delivery — Delivery apps often need identity checks. You can send parcels at convenience stores; use your exact name and phone when receiving.
• Common scams — Watch for brokers promising fast visas or jobs for money, deposit scams and fake immigration texts with links. Verify through HiKorea or 134…
• Weather and fine dust — Spring has fine dust, summer has monsoon and heat, winters can drop below -10°C. Wear a KF94 mask on high-dust days.
• Feeling lonely — Try language exchanges, running or hiking groups, or check in on omeetu. If things are hard, call 1345 or Danuri 1577-1366.
• When a place refuses foreigners — Some places refuse foreigners. Find another place, and for discrimination you can contact the National Human Rights Commission (1331).
• Get your national pension back when you leave (lump-sum refund) — If you paid into the National Pension while working in Korea, you may get your contributions back with interest when you go home. E-9, H-2 a…
• Exchange your foreign driver's license for a Korean one — A foreign license alone does not let you drive in Korea. Go in person to a driver's license examination center (not a police station; no pro…
• Lost your residence card (ARC)? — Get a new card at the immigration office for your address. Book a visit on HiKorea first. Bring your passport, the application form, somethi…
• Severance pay when you leave a job — If you worked 1 year or more at the same company for 15+ hours a week, you are entitled to severance pay as a foreigner too: 30 days of aver…

Help lines

• 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)
• 112 Police
• 119 Ambulance & fire

Checked 2026-10-12 · This is general guidance, not legal or visa advice. Check HiKorea or call 1345. 안내이며 법률·비자 자문이 아닙니다.

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