Your first 90 days in Korea

From alien registration to health insurance, banking and your phone: what to do after you arrive, in order. (D-2 degree students and D-4 language students)

Based on official guidance from the Ministry of Justice, Seoul City, the National Health Insurance Service and others, as of 20 October 2026. Rules and fees change, so check HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or call 1345 before you apply. This page is not legal advice.

Alien registration date

Enter the day you arrived in Korea and we show the date 90 days later. For reference only; the date you enter is not saved.

Arrival date

Confirm the exact deadline with the immigration office. Reservations can fill up, so book several weeks before the deadline.

1. Your first week

Save these numbers

Police 112, fire and ambulance 119. When you call 119 an interpreter is connected: say "English please". The ambulance is free.
Immigration Contact Center 1345. The languages available depend on the time of day.
1330 Korea Travel Helpline (24 hours, made for tourists, but it can connect you to 1345 or 119).
In Seoul, the 120 Dasan Call Center. In Busan, the Foreigner Integrated Call Center 1600-0051.

Reserve your alien registration on HiKorea

If you stay in Korea for 91 days or more, you must register within 90 days of your arrival.
You must reserve a visit on HiKorea before going to the immigration office.
Bring: application form, passport, one photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm), certificate of enrolment, and proof of where you live. Schools often explain what is needed: ask your international office first.
The registration card costs 35,000 KRW (from 1 January 2025; check the official page again).
The card usually takes 2 to 4 weeks after you apply. Official sources differ, so reserve early.

Get your address right

Your health insurance bills and notices go to the address you registered. Write it down to the building and room number.
If you move, you must report your new address. The Ministry of Justice says within 15 days of moving in. Check the method and deadline on HiKorea once more.

2. What to finish within 90 days

Alien registration (the most important)

The deadline is 90 days from your arrival. Missing it can lead to penalties or fines. Do not wait.
Carry your card with you at all times once you have it.

Health insurance

After you register, students are enrolled in National Health Insurance (as regional subscribers) without applying.
D-2 students are covered from the day of entry (or the registration date, if later).
For D-4 language students the start date depends on the visa type. Ask the NHIS to confirm: 1577-1000 (English 033-811-2000).
Because foreigners' income and assets are hard to check, an average premium or more can be charged; the NHIS says D-2 and D-4 students get a 50% reduction. Check the real amount on your bill.
If no notice arrives, visit your nearest NHIS branch or Foreigner Service Center.

Bank account

Visit a bank in person with ID (passport or alien registration card, for example). Real-name verification is required.
Apply for internet banking at the bank when you open the account.
Each bank asks for different documents and has its own conditions. Read the bank's English guide first.

Mobile phone

Contract plans usually need a passport copy and the alien registration card, and the conditions differ by carrier and plan.
There are also prepaid plans for foreigners: ask at a carrier shop or customer centre.

Transport card

T-money or Cash-bee cards are sold at convenience stores and subway stations; you top them up. In Busan you can buy and top up the Hanaro Card at convenience stores and metro stations.

3. Good to know early

Part-time work

Students may not work in principle. You may work only after your school confirms it and the immigration office gives permission. Working without permission can be punished.
D-2 students can apply right away if they meet the conditions; D-4 (language) students can apply only 6 months after entering Korea. There is no fee.
Low attendance can limit your permission. See this site's part-time check page below for the details.

See the part-time check page →

If your details or school change

If your registered details change (name, passport information, school), report it to immigration. The deadline and method can differ by item: check HiKorea.
Changing schools inside Korea is difficult, and only some cases are allowed. Talk to your current school and 1345 first.

Attendance and leave of absence

For language students, attendance matters for extending your stay and for moving on to a degree.
If you do not register for a semester, take leave or withdraw, your school informs immigration.
The Ministry of Justice says that if a D-2 student takes leave and leaves Korea, the student visa is cancelled and a new visa is needed to return. Language students should ask their school and 1345.

Leaving, re-entering and extending

A registered student who comes back within one year of leaving (or within the remaining stay, if shorter) does not need a re-entry permit. Exceptions apply if you are under an entry ban.
You can apply to extend your stay from 4 months before it ends. Apply before it expires, and stay in Korea while the application is pending.

Sources

Ministry of Justice immigration service "FAQ for international students" (2025-03-07), Seoul Metropolitan Government "Guidebook for Living in Seoul" (2026), National Health Insurance Service (nhis.or.kr), Study in Korea (studyinkorea.go.kr), Korea Tourism Organization, Busan City.

Checked 2026-10-20