Life in Korea · reviewed 29 Aug 2026
Residence status, housing, healthcare, daily setup and family arrangements. Check these before you accept a role, not after you arrive.
The move, in order
Confirm the visa route, housing and health insurance in writing.
Documents, first-month budget and who meets you on arrival.
Residence registration, a phone line and a bank account, in the order your documents allow.
Health insurance, lease checks, local support and family routines.
Practical information
Requirements vary by employer and personal circumstances. Use the official links and confirm details directly.
Work & residence
Visa and residence requirements depend on the job, employer and your circumstances. Ask the employer what it sponsors, then verify the current rule through Korea Immigration Service channels.
Open Hi Korea (opens in a new tab)Verify with: employer + immigration authority
Health insurance
Workplace and individual coverage can follow different routes. Check how your employer will register you, the timing, dependants and any exception that may apply.
NHIS guidance for foreigners (opens in a new tab)Foreign-language support: 1577-1000 (6) / 033-811-2000
Housing & deposit
Compare the actual commute, deposit, monthly cost, utilities and contract party. Korea's deposit-based rental structures require careful document and protection checks.
Official English legal guide (opens in a new tab)Verify with: employer + qualified local adviser
Daily setup
Banking, mobile service and recurring payments often depend on local identification and provider requirements. Keep a short arrival checklist and ask what the school helps arrange.
Financial transactions guide (opens in a new tab)Verify with: provider before choosing a product
Family move
A partner's plans, children's routines, healthcare access and housing needs can change the right location. Make these questions part of offer evaluation, not an afterthought.
Open the family move guideCheck each person, cost and deadline separately
Local support
Foreign-resident centres can help with practical orientation and referrals. Services vary by city, so start with the relevant local portal and confirm eligibility.
Seoul Foreign Resident Portal (opens in a new tab)Scope note: this portal is Seoul-specific
Research neighbourhoods, public transport, food, language learning and ways to meet people outside the campus.
Compare commute, housing, healthcare, partner plans, children's routines and the support your employer has confirmed.
Open the family move guideNo. The five-field quick profile is enough. A CV is optional and can be added only if you want.
No. Profiles, contact details and documents are not displayed publicly. School discovery is also optional.
Yes. Choose “Just exploring” for timing and tell us which life-in-Korea topics matter to you.
No. We provide orientation and official links. Eligibility must be confirmed with the employer and the relevant Korean authority.
Yes. The optional relocation field lets you signal a family move so future information can be more relevant.
Personal requirements may differ. Confirm employment, immigration, housing and healthcare details with your employer, the relevant authority or a qualified adviser.
