How do I get a phone plan in Korea, with or without an ARC?

Requirements differ by carrier and by your visa status. Bring your passport and, once you have it, your Alien Registration Card (ARC); some carriers also ask for a Korean bank account in your name. What to do 1. Compare plan types: monthly (postpaid) plans, plans from budget carriers (MVNOs) including prepaid ones, and eSIM. 2. Before your ARC arrives, ask carriers what you can open with a passport. The number of lines you can open on a foreign passport is limited. 3. Once you have your ARC, make sure your main line is in your own name. Opening a bank account in an app, for example, can require a phone in your own name. 4. Read the contract terms before you sign and keep a copy. Good to know • ID checks for new lines are getting stricter (face verification is being phased in), so bring your original ID. • Never open a line for someone else or lend yours. Lines in other people's names are used for voice phishing. Official sources • Seoul Foreigner Portal – Telecommunications & Internet: https://global.seoul.go.kr/hmpg/finf/elsi/comm/contPageDetail.do?conts_no=D6067AA192E8432180EDF96112A7C241&lang=en • Korea.kr – face verification for new phone lines (Korean): https://www.korea.kr/news/policyNewsView.do?newsId=148967396 Checked by the Verihood team on October 3, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you act.