What should I do in my first weeks after moving to Korea?

If you'll stay more than 90 days, register for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) first. Then set up a phone, a bank account and a transit card. What to do 1. Book a visit on HiKorea, then apply for your ARC at the immigration office for your address within 90 days of entry. Check which documents your visa type needs before you go. 2. Get a phone line. See our phone plan Q&A. 3. Open a bank account and get a debit (check) card. See our bank account Q&A. 4. Get a transit card. See our transit card Q&A. 5. Check your health insurance. Employees are enrolled through work; other foreign residents are generally enrolled by NHIS after 6 months in Korea (timing differs for some visa types). 6. Learn your building's trash rules. See our trash Q&A. Good to know • Moving? Report your new address within 15 days. Late reports can be fined. • Carry your ARC with you; not carrying it can be fined. • Visa and stay questions: call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center, in many languages). Official sources • Seoul Foreigner Portal – Alien Registration: https://global.seoul.go.kr/hmpg/finf/immi/regi/contPageDetail.do?conts_no=83E6C489F51E4ED2A56F317E84549A5A&lang=en • Seoul Foreigner Portal – Change of Place of Stay: https://global.seoul.go.kr/hmpg/finf/immi/addr/contPageDetail.do?conts_no=679AD313DF2349B8819FFA654A11AEAA&lang=en • HiKorea (visit reservations): https://www.hikorea.go.kr Checked by the Verihood team on October 3, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you act.