Asia · Capital Seoul
High-tech, safe and buzzing with culture day and night.
LanguagesKorean
CurrencyKRW
Population51.7M
EnglishLocal language helps a lot
Overview
A safe, modern and fast-paced country with great infrastructure, rich traditions and a growing foreign community.
Korea is one of Asia's most dynamic economies, home to Samsung, Hyundai and LG. Newcomers come to teach English, study at leading universities, work in tech and research, or simply experience the culture behind K-pop, K-dramas and Korean food.
If you stay more than 90 days, you must apply for an ARC (Alien Registration Card, also called a residence card) at your local immigration office. You need it for your phone contract, bank account and health insurance.
Last reviewed September 2026
Visas
Skilled workers use the E-7, teachers the E-2, students the D-2, graduates the D-10, and long-term residents can aim for the F-2-7 points visa.
Register for your ARC within 90 days at the immigration office. Book appointments through HiKorea.
Last reviewed September 2026
Jobs
Opportunities in teaching, tech, research and engineering, with Korean language skills opening many more doors.
Many foreigners start as English teachers on the E-2 visa. Skilled professionals find roles in semiconductors, IT, gaming, automotive, shipbuilding, research and international business.
Hierarchy and seniority matter. Team dinners (hoesik) build relationships, though they are less mandatory than they used to be. The legal limit is 52 hours a week, including overtime.
Last reviewed September 2026
Housing
Korea's unique deposit system means large upfront sums. Understand jeonse and wolse before you sign.
Last reviewed September 2026
Healthcare
Excellent, affordable care through the National Health Insurance Service, which covers most foreign residents.
Foreign residents staying six months or more are automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Employees pay about half of the premium through salary deductions, and the employer pays the rest. Students and self-employed people pay a monthly premium directly.
Pharmacies are near most clinics. Some common medicines can be bought at convenience stores.
Last reviewed September 2026
Cost of living
Moderate overall, with cheap transport and eating out but pricey fruit, imported food and housing deposits.
Fresh fruit, beef, cheese and imported products are expensive. Coffee is also pricey compared with meals.
Last reviewed September 2026
Transportation
Excellent subways, buses and high-speed trains, all easy to use with a T-money card.
Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju have subway systems, and buses reach almost everywhere. Transfers between subway and bus are discounted.
KTX and SRT high-speed trains connect Seoul with Busan in about 2.5 hours. Korail runs slower trains to the rest of the country.
Google Maps has limited directions in Korea. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap instead, and Kakao T for taxis.
Many licences can be exchanged for a Korean one. Traffic in big cities is heavy, and speed cameras are everywhere.
Last reviewed September 2026
Lifestyle
Food, nightlife, hiking, cafés and a strong sense of community and etiquette.
Korean life is busy and social. Evenings often include Korean barbecue, chicken and beer (chimaek) or karaoke (noraebang). Cafés are everywhere and often open late.
Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (harvest festival) are the biggest holidays, when many people travel home.
Last reviewed September 2026
Education
A highly competitive school system, international schools for expat families and strong universities with scholarships for foreigners.
Korean public schools are free and academically demanding. Many children also attend private after-school academies (hagwons). Foreign children can enrol in local schools, which teach in Korean.
Seoul, Busan, Songdo and Jeju have international and foreign schools, including Seoul Foreign School, Dwight School Seoul and Busan Foreign School. Fees often exceed 30 million won a year.
Top universities include Seoul National University, KAIST, Yonsei, Korea University and POSTECH. Many offer English-taught programmes, especially at graduate level.
Daycare centres (eorinijip) are common, but foreign families usually do not receive the same subsidies as citizens.
Last reviewed September 2026
Banking
Get your ARC and a local phone number first, then open an account and use mobile payments everywhere.
Major banks include KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, Hana and NH NongHyup, plus digital banks such as KakaoBank and Toss Bank. You usually need:
New accounts may have limits on daily transfers until you show proof of income.
Income tax is withheld monthly and settled through year-end tax settlement each January. Foreign employees can choose a flat 19% rate (plus local tax) in some cases. Most workers also pay into the National Pension Service.
Last reviewed September 2026
Laws
Very safe, with strict drug laws, firm drink-driving limits and rules for keeping your immigration status up to date.
Korea has very strict drug laws. Cannabis is illegal, and Korean law can apply to use abroad. Drug tests on entry or after an arrest can lead to prosecution and deportation.
Last reviewed September 2026
Travel
Incheon is a major hub for Asia, and Korea itself is easy to explore by train and bus.
Japan, Taiwan, China and Southeast Asia are short, affordable flights away. Ferries run from Busan to Fukuoka and Osaka.
Many nationalities need a K-ETA or visa to enter. Residents with a valid ARC can re-enter without one.
Last reviewed September 2026
1 review
Private English and French academy (hagwon), Busan· Busan
My academy teaches children and some adults. The salary of 2.6 million won plus a housing allowance is standard, and they have always paid on time, which is not guaranteed in every hagwon. The Korean staff are kind and helped me with my residence card and bank account. However, timetables change with little notice, and classes run until 10pm. Paid holiday is limited to 11 days, and I was asked to work on one public holiday. Parents can be demanding about results. It is a decent job if you want to experience Korea, but ask current teachers about hours and overtime before signing.
Salary always paid on time
After two years in Tokyo, I thought moving to Korea would be easy. Both are East Asian countries, both have excellent public transport and a love of convenience stores. I was wrong. Korea surprised m…
I spent six days in Seoul over the Chuseok long weekend last year, flying up from Singapore. I have used public transport in many Asian cities, and Seoul's system is one of the best I have ever used.…
Visas, jobs, housing or daily life: people on the ground usually answer within a day.
Ask a questionHelpful Korean colleagues
Late working hours
Frequent timetable changes