Planning a Long-Term Stay in South Korea

To stay in South Korea for more than 90 days, you must secure a long-term visa (like the D-2 for students or H-1 for working holidays) before arrival. You will need to register for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days of landing to access local banking, SIM cards, and health insurance.

1. Determine your visa category. If you plan to stay beyond the 90-day tourist limit, identify if you qualify for a D-2 (study), D-4 (language training), H-1 (working holiday), or E-2 (teaching) visa. Check the Korean Embassy website in your home country for the specific supporting documents required for your category.
2. Secure housing before arrival. Short-term rentals (Airbnb) are expensive for long stays. Look for 'Goshiwons' (tiny, affordable rooms) or look on apps like Zigbang or Dabang once you have a local number. Be prepared to pay a 'key money' deposit, which can range from $2,000 to $10,000+ for standard apartments.
3. Apply for your ARC. Once you arrive on a long-term visa, book an appointment at your local Immigration Office via the HiKorea website. You need to do this within your first 90 days to receive your Alien Registration Card, which acts as your primary ID for all services.
4. Set up essential services. Use your ARC to sign up for a post-paid mobile plan and open a local bank account (KB Kookmin or Woori Bank are foreigner-friendly). These are difficult to set up without the physical ARC card.

Can I work on a tourist visa?

No, working on a tourist visa is strictly illegal in South Korea and can lead to deportation and a multi-year ban.

Do I need to speak Korean?

While you can survive in major cities with English, learning Hangeul (the alphabet) is essential for reading signs, menus, and navigating public transit.