Moving to Korea Checklist: What I Wish I'd Known Before Arriving in Seoul
Hey! After three years here in Seoul, I've learned what actually matters when moving to Korea versus what you can figure out later. Here's my honest breakdown so you don't waste time (or money) like I did.
Before You Arrive
Get your visa sorted β Apply through your nearest Korean embassy. Most people need an E-1 (English teacher) or D-10 (job seeker) visa. This takes 4-6 weeks, so start early. Book temporary accommodation β Don't commit to a long-term place sight unseen. Stay in a guesthouse (around 30,000-50,000 KRW/night) for the first 2-3 weeks. Check Airbnb or Naver's guesthouse listings. Arrange health insurance β Get international health insurance before arriving. Korean healthcare is cheap, but you'll need an Alien Registration Number (μΈκ΅μΈλ±λ‘μ¦) first. Open a Korean bank account remotely β Some banks like Wise or N26 let you do this before arrival, which helps tremendously. Housing Hunt (The Biggest Decision)
This is where I made mistakes. You'll encounter two main rental systems:
Jeonse (μ μΈ) β Deposit 50-70% of apartment value upfront, pay no monthly rent. Sounds great but risky if the landlord disappears. I avoided this. Wolse (μμΈ) β Monthly rent + deposit (usually 2-3 months' rent). More predictable. Expect 600,000-1,200,000 KRW/month for a small apartment (studio/one-bedroom) in Seoul. Use Naver'sλΆλμ° (naver.com/realestate) or Zigbang app β these are THE Korean real estate sites. Hire a real estate agent (λΆλμ°); they're free and know neighborhoods like Hongdae, Gangnam, and Itaewon well.
Government Registration & Documents
Get your Alien Registration Certificate β Do this at your local immigration office (μΆμ
κ΅) within 90 days. You'll need your passport and housing contract. Register with your embassy β Many embassies let you register online for emergencies. Get a Korean phone number β Buy a SIM card at any convenience store (GS25, CU, Emart24) for about 30,000 KRW. Need a local number for everything: banking, apps, delivery. Essential Apps & Services
Don't sleep on these β your life will be 10x easier:
Naver Map & Kakao Map β Better than Google Maps in Korea Coupang β Amazon equivalent; next-day delivery is standard Toss β Mobile banking app, easiest for transfers Papago β Better than Google Translate for Korean-English λΉκ·Όλ§μΌ (Carrot Market) β Facebook Marketplace equivalent for buying secondhand furniture Banking & Money Stuff
Open an account at Shinhan Bank or KB Kookmin β they're most foreigner-friendly You'll need your Alien Registration Certificate + passport Transfer fees are cheap; expect 1,000-2,500 KRW per international transfer via Wise Get a credit card after 3 months β builds credit history Transport Card & Getting Around
Buy a T-money card (5,000 KRW) at any convenience store. Seoul's subway is incredible β one trip costs 1,250-2,450 KRW depending on distance. Download the subway app Subway Korea for route planning.
Quick Personal Tip
Honestly? Make Korean friends early. Apps like Meetup or Facebook expat groups are okay, but Koreans will teach you the real shortcuts β the best restaurants, how to navigate bureaucracy, neighborhood gems. I spent my first year mostly with expats and missed out on actual Seoul.
Welcome to Korea! You've got this. π°π·
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