Living in Korea, from your first week to settled-in

Living hub

ARC, then a bank account, phone, lease, and insurance, in that order.

Guides

If you are arriving, work top to bottom. If you are already here, jump to the piece you still need to sort out.

The chronological playbook from 60 days before arrival through your first 30 days: every deadline and first step.

The 90-day deadline, where to go, what to bring, and why the ARC unlocks almost everything else.

Which banks work for foreign residents, what documents you need, and the foreigner-friendly options.

Prepaid vs contract, the carriers, what an ARC changes, and how to get connected on day one.

Jeonse, wolse, officetels, and one-rooms: the rental system and the vocabulary before you start looking.

What it actually costs to live in Korea: rent, utilities, NHIS, food, and realistic monthly budgets.

Almost everything in Korean daily life keys off your registration:

The Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) comes first, within 90 days of arrival. Most other steps need it.
A bank account and a phone usually need the ARC, and a lease and utilities usually need both.
Health insurance and a registered address follow, and from there daily life gets a lot simpler.

New here? Start with the moving-to-Korea checklist for the full timeline, then the ARC guide for the first real deadline.

Health insurance, utilities, and community are the next layer after the essentials are in place.