Can I use my foreign card and mobile payments in Korea?

Often in shops, but not everywhere. Korean online stores, apps and some machines may only take Korean cards or ask for Korean identity verification. If you live here, a Korean debit card solves most of this. What to do 1. Visiting: carry your card plus some cash as a backup. 2. In Seoul, newer ticket machines at many subway stations accept overseas Visa and Mastercard cards and some mobile payments for single-journey tickets and Climate Card short-term passes. A service fee applies to overseas cards. 3. Living here: open a bank account and get a debit (check) card. It's usually issued with your account and can include a transit card function. 4. A Korean credit card comes later: issuers look at your visa status, job, income and Korean banking history. 5. Korean mobile payment apps usually need identity verification with a phone in your own name. Whether a foreign card can be added differs by app, so check the app's own guide. Good to know • See our identity verification Q&A for why sign-ups fail. Official sources • Seoul Metropolitan Government – overseas cards at subway ticket machines (Korean): https://news.seoul.go.kr/traffic/archives/516544 • Easy-to-Find Practical Law – Financial Transactions (cards): https://www.easylaw.go.kr/CSM/SubCcfCmd.laf?csmSeq=2500 Checked by the Verihood team on October 3, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you act.