You need a Korean phone number to do almost everything else β including opening a bank account. Here's the order that works.
You can get a prepaid SIM at Incheon Airport arrivals with just your passport β no ARC needed. It works instantly so you have a Korean number from the moment you land. Roughly β©30,000β40,000/month.
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| SKT / KT / LG U+ | The big 3 carriers. Best coverage, English support desks. Easiest at the airport. |
| μλ°ν° (budget MVNO) | Half the price, same network. Switch to one of these after you get your ARC and want to save. |
Rule of thumb: prepaid SIM first for the first month, then a cheaper contract or MVNO plan once your ARC is ready.
μΉ΄μΉ΄μ€λ± ν¬ KakaoBank and ν μ€ Toss are app-only banks you can often open with just a passport and a Korean phone number β no branch visit. This is how most students start.
Some employers want an account at a traditional bank (μ ν Shinhan, μ°λ¦¬ Woori, νλ Hana, κ΅λ―Ό KB). For these you'll usually need your ARC + passport, and a 20β30 min branch visit. Branches near big universities are used to foreign students.
Use Wise or your bank's foreigner remittance service rather than cash exchange β far better rates and no hidden fees. Many students keep a Wise card from home for the first weeks before the Korean account is ready.
Most of this you can do alone. But if a bank or carrier asks for documents you don't have, a verified student can translate and walk you through it.
Request a student guide β