Living in Korea

First weeks: the residence card

Foreign residents staying longer than 90 days register with immigration and receive a residence card (외국인등록증, formerly called the alien registration card). Almost everything else — a bank account, a phone contract in your name, health insurance paperwork — follows from that card, so it is the first appointment to book after you arrive.

Housing

Korean rentals use a deposit system: jeonse (a large lump-sum deposit and no monthly rent, less common for students) and wolse (a smaller deposit plus monthly rent). Students most often live in university dormitories, small studio apartments (원룸), or budget rooms called goshiwon. Read the contract, and never pay a deposit before seeing the registered owner's documents.

Banking and phones

Banks open accounts for foreign residents with a residence card and proof of enrolment or employment. Mobile plans work the same way; prepaid SIMs are available at the airport for the first weeks. Most daily payments are by card or app — cash is rarely needed.

Getting around

Public transport is fast, clean and inexpensive. A rechargeable transit card (T-money or similar) works on subways, buses and taxis nationwide. Seoul's subway is one of the largest in the world, and intercity KTX trains connect Seoul to Busan in under three hours.

Healthcare

Korea has universal National Health Insurance, and international students are enrolled as residents. Clinics are everywhere, appointments are quick, and pharmacies are marked 약. Emergency number: 119.