Guides
Long-form explanations of the systems that actually affect your life in Korea. 22 articles, all written in English from Korean primary sources.
Visas
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The F-2-7 points system explained — all 170 points, category by category
A complete walkthrough of Korea's F-2-7 points-based residence visa: why annual income is worth 60 of the 170 points, what each category is really worth, who is eligible to apply, and the quota nobody mentions.
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How to close an F-2-7 points gap — the routes ranked by return
A costed, ranked plan for closing an F-2-7 points gap: why an income band beats a qualification, what each route actually takes, and a twelve-month schedule.
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D-10 to E-7 in Korea — the full conversion process and timeline
Converting a D-10 job seeker visa to an E-7 work visa: the documents from both sides, realistic timings, the employer conditions that cause refusals, and what to do if the two-year D-10 ceiling is approaching.
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E-7 visa requirements explained — occupation codes, salary floor and employer tests
What the E-7 skilled worker visa actually requires: the occupation code system, the degree-or-experience test, the income floor, and the employer conditions that cause most refusals.
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Korean permanent residence (F-5) — every route explained
How to get F-5 permanent residence in Korea: the main sub-categories and how they differ, the residence, income and language requirements, and the realistic timeline from arrival.
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The F-6 marriage visa in Korea — step by step
Getting and keeping an F-6 marriage migrant visa: registering the marriage in both countries, the sponsor income test, the communication requirement, renewals, and the route to F-5.
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Working part-time on a Korean student visa — the rules for D-2 and D-4
How part-time work permits work for students in Korea: the hour caps tied to your TOPIK level, how to apply, which jobs are excluded, and what happens if you work without permission.
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TOPIK or KIIP — which is worth more for a Korean visa?
A direct comparison of TOPIK and the Social Integration Program for visa purposes: points awarded, time and cost, and which one to choose depending on your goal.
Tax
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Korea's 19% flat tax for foreigners — is it actually worth electing?
A detailed analysis of the flat-rate tax election for foreign workers in Korea: what it costs you in lost deductions, where the crossover really sits, and the three situations where it wins.
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The Korean year-end tax settlement for foreigners — 연말정산 explained
How Korea's year-end tax settlement works for foreign employees: the February deadline, which deductions you can actually claim, the credit card rule, and what to do if you leave mid-year.
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Korean national pension lump-sum refund for foreigners — who can claim and how
How to reclaim your Korean National Pension contributions when you leave: which nationalities qualify, how much you get back, claiming before or after departure, and the documents needed.
Health
Money
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Opening a Korean bank account as a foreigner — bank by bank
Which Korean banks work best for foreign residents, why your first account is transfer-limited, how to get the limit lifted, and what documents each bank asks for.
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Sending money out of Korea — remittance limits, documents and costs compared
How to transfer money from Korea abroad as a foreign resident: the annual limit without proof of income, which documents lift it, and how banks compare with licensed transfer operators.
Housing
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Jeonse explained — how Korea's deposit-instead-of-rent system works
A full explanation of jeonse: how paying a huge deposit instead of monthly rent works, why it exists, what happens when it goes wrong, and the four checks that protect your money.
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Wolse or jeonse — which Korean rental system should you choose?
A direct comparison of Korea's two rental systems for foreign residents: real costs, deposit risk, what you need to qualify, and how to find and secure a place.
Daily life
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Korean addresses explained — road names, romanization and international delivery
How the Korean road-name address system works, how to convert an address to English correctly, why Jong-ro is not Jongno on a street sign, and how to fill in a Western checkout form.
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Exchanging a foreign driving licence in Korea — how it works by country
Which countries can exchange a driving licence for a Korean one, the embassy verification step, the written test, and what to do if your country has no arrangement.
Work
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Finding a job in Korea as a foreigner — where to look and what employers check
A practical guide to the Korean job market for foreign professionals: which job boards work, what a Korean CV looks like, the visa question employers actually care about, and how interviews run.
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Reading a Korean employment contract as a foreigner
What to check in a Korean employment contract before signing: statutory minimums you cannot waive, severance, working hours, probation clauses, and the terms that affect your visa.