Mobile phone checklist

1. Day one: prepaid SIM at the airport

   Done

   Counters at Incheon and Gimhae sell prepaid SIMs on a passport alone — no registration card, no Korean address, no credit check. It gives you a real Korean number, which is what you need.

   • Expect ₩30,000–60,000 for a month with a generous data allowance.
   • Buy the longest term you can. You will need the number continuously for the next two months.
   • Check your phone is unlocked and supports Korean bands before you fly. Most modern handsets do.
   • Keep the number when you move to postpaid — Korean numbers port between carriers easily.

2. Understand the identity verification problem

   Done

   Large parts of the Korean internet require 본인인증 — identity verification tying your registration number to a phone number registered in your own name. Without it you cannot use many government services, some banking features, ticket sites, or certain delivery apps.

   • The phone contract must be in your name, with your registration number attached. A friend's number will not work.
   • Some prepaid SIMs are not registered against your details in a way that satisfies verification — ask explicitly whether the SIM supports 본인인증.
   • Once you have a registration card and a postpaid contract in your name, this problem disappears.

3. Choose between a carrier and an MVNO

   Done

   Option	Cost	Best for
   SKT, KT, LG U+ (the three carriers)	Higher monthly cost; handset subsidies available	Buying a phone on contract, wanting shop support, best rural coverage
   MVNO (알뜰폰) — resellers on the same networks	Often half the price for the same coverage	Bringing your own phone. This is what most cost-conscious residents use
   Prepaid (선불폰)	Pay as you go	Short stays, or the first two months before your card arrives

   MVNOs run on the same three networks, so coverage is identical. The trade-off is customer service — fewer physical shops, and English support is variable. Some MVNOs specifically market to foreign residents and handle registration cards without fuss.

4. Sign up for postpaid once your card arrives

   Done
   • Registration card — required.
   • Korean bank account or a Korean credit card for the direct debit.
   • Passport.
   • Your existing number, if you want to port it.

   Some carriers ask for a deposit from foreign customers, or restrict the contract length to your remaining period of stay. Both are normal. If a shop refuses outright, try a different branch or an MVNO — practice varies.

5. Avoid the handset trap

   Done

   Korean phone shops bundle handsets with 24-month contracts and headline discounts that are structured to be confusing. Two rules:

   • Compare the total two-year cost, not the monthly figure or the discount. Handset subsidy plus plan cost minus "선택약정" (a 25% plan discount for bringing your own phone) is the actual comparison.
   • If you already have a phone, do not buy one here. Bringing your own device onto an MVNO plan is dramatically cheaper than any bundled deal.

   A two-year contract also outlives many visas. Check the early-termination terms before signing if your status expires sooner.

6. Set up the apps that need the number

   Done
   • KakaoTalk — messaging, and effectively mandatory for social and work life.
   • Naver Map or Kakao Map — Google Maps has restricted data in Korea and gives poor walking and transit directions.
   • Your bank's app, once the account is open.
   • Government24 and the NHIS app, for certificates and health insurance.
   • Coupang, Baemin or Yogiyo for delivery — all need a verified Korean number, and some reject Latin-script names, which is what our name converter is for.

Frequently asked

Can I get a phone contract before my registration card?

Prepaid, yes, on a passport. Postpaid, generally no. A very small number of shops will open a postpaid contract on an alien registration application receipt, but do not build a plan around finding one.

Is an eSIM an option?

Yes, all three carriers and most MVNOs support eSIM now, and travel eSIMs work well for the first few days. For identity verification you still need a properly registered contract in your own name.

What happens to my number when I leave?

Cancel the contract before you go, after you have finished with anything that sends verification codes to it — bank transfers, tax refunds, pension claims. Losing the number while a refund is pending is a genuine problem. See the leaving Korea checklist.