Living in Korea Guide

Just arrived in Korea for the first time? Here's how to get from the airport to your destination, plus some things that are good to know when you enter the country.

Procedures After Arriving at the Airport

1. Immigration: submit your passport and arrival card (filled out on the plane)
2. Baggage claim: pick up your luggage at the carousel
3. Customs declaration: declare valuables or cash of 10,000 USD or more
4. Head to the arrivals floor: choose your transportation (airport railroad, bus, taxi)

Airport Transportation

What to Have Ready on Arrival

• Cash: at least 20,000–30,000 KRW to buy a transit card (currency exchange counters available)
• SIM: buy one at a convenience store or carrier booth inside the airport
• Wi-Fi: the airport's free 'Airport WiFi' is available
• School contact: save your international office's emergency number in case of trouble

Korea offers many types of housing. Choose one that fits your budget, lifestyle, and Korean language ability.

Sites for Finding Housing

• Zigbang (zigbang.com): search for studios/officetels
• Dabang (dabangapp.com): compare a wide range of listings
• For foreigners: KoreaStay, Borderless House

Korea's public transportation is famous worldwide for being convenient and affordable. With a single transit card, you can use the subway, buses, and even pay at convenience stores anywhere.

Public Transit Fares (Seoul, 2025 reference)

※ Fares may be adjusted each year.

Essential Transit Apps

• Kakao Map: directions and real-time bus/subway arrival information
• Naver Map: detailed walking/public-transit routes
• Kakao T: hail taxis and check fares in advance

Foreigners staying in Korea for six months or longer are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance. It may seem like a burden at first, but it greatly reduces your medical costs when you get sick or injured.

Mandatory National Health Insurance Enrollment

Coverage Scope

If it's your first time using a Korean hospital, familiarize yourself with the process in advance. Korea offers high-quality medical care, and thanks to health insurance, the costs are reasonable too.

General Treatment Process

1. Register at the hospital after arriving (show your alien registration card or passport)
2. Wait for your turn in the waiting room
3. Consultation and tests (if needed)
4. Payment (pay your share after the insurance is applied)
5. Pick up your prescription medication at a nearby pharmacy (a prescription is required)

Understanding the Types of Medical Facilities

• Clinics/small hospitals: minor symptoms like colds or skin conditions → a nearby neighborhood clinic
• General hospitals: hospitalization, surgery, specialized care → university hospitals, Samsung/Asan, etc.
• Emergency room: serious injuries, high fever, difficulty breathing, etc. → call 119 or go directly

Using a Pharmacy

Prescription drugs must be bought at a pharmacy. When you submit your prescription, the pharmacist will explain how to take the medication. Over-the-counter drugs like cold medicine and digestive aids can be bought without a prescription at convenience stores or pharmacies.

To live in Korea, you'll need a bank account. You'll use it for paying rent, receiving part-time wages, setting up automatic phone bill payments, and more.

Documents Needed to Open a Foreigner's Account

• Passport (original)
• Alien registration card (issued 90 days after arrival)
• Student ID or certificate of enrollment
• Korean phone number (for identity verification)

Without an alien registration card, opening an account can be difficult. Right after arriving, get by with a prepaid card provided by your university or by exchanging foreign currency, and open a bank account after completing your alien registration.

Major Banks

• KB Kookmin Bank (KB): dedicated counters for foreigners, English service
• Shinhan Bank: English banking available via the SOL app
• Woori Bank: many branches on campus, dedicated accounts for international students
• Hana Bank: strong foreign-exchange services, multilingual support

Mobile Banking

After opening an account, install each bank's app so you can transfer money, check your balance, and manage your cards from your smartphone. Fintech apps like Toss and KakaoBank (which you can join 6 months after alien registration) are convenient too.

In Korea, a mobile phone is essential for everyday life. Bank verification, delivery apps, and transit apps all require a Korean number.

Korea is generally a very safe country. Still, keep these emergency contacts and basic safety tips in mind in case of an emergency.

Emergency Contacts (save these!)

Disaster Text Alerts

In Korea, emergency text messages are sent to your phone during disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy rain. If you use a Korean SIM, you'll receive them automatically. They're sent in English too, so there's no need to panic.

Recommended Safety Apps

• Safety Ddeemdol: disaster alerts and shelter guidance (official app of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety)
• 112 Emergency Report: emergency reporting with automatic location transmission

The cost of living in Korea varies greatly depending on the region, housing type, and eating habits. Use the average monthly cost of living in Seoul as a reference, and build a budget that fits your own situation.

Average Monthly Cost of Living (Seoul, 2025 reference)

※ This can vary greatly depending on your personal lifestyle.

Regional Cost Differences

• Seoul/Metropolitan area: Highest (the baseline)
• Metropolitan cities (Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, etc.): 80–90% of Seoul
• Smaller regional cities: 60–80% of Seoul

Money-Saving Tips for Students

• Use the student cafeteria: a meal for 3,000 KRW to 5,000 KRW
• Take advantage of convenience store 1+1 and 2+1 deals
• Use a transit pass or the Climate Card
• Shop during supermarket discount hours (after 7 p.m.)
• Use secondhand marketplace apps (Danggeun Market, Bunjang)
• Cut phone costs with an MVNO (budget carrier)
• Make full use of libraries and free cultural events

Here's a rundown of what to do during your first week after arriving in Korea. Check off each item as you start your new life!