Your First 7 Days in Korea: The International Student Survival Checklist (ARC, Bank, Phone, Insurance) | Admissions.kr

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Visa policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements at immigration.go.kr or your nearest Korean embassy. Last verified: 2026-03-21

You Just Landed at Incheon. Your To-Do List Is Already 20 Items Long.

Your flight touched down. You collected your bags. You made it through customs. Congratulations — you are officially in Korea. But somewhere between the jet lag and the unfamiliar signs, a quiet panic sets in: Where do I go? How do I get a phone? When do I open a bank account? What is an ARC and why does everyone keep telling me I need one?

The first week in Korea is the most overwhelming — and the most important. Miss a deadline in these seven days, and you could be scrambling for months. Follow this checklist, and you will have every essential piece in place before your first class even starts.

TL;DR

Day 1–2: Get from the airport to campus. Buy a prepaid USIM card (선불 유심) immediately.
Day 2–3: Attend university orientation. Collect temporary documents you will need for everything else.
Day 3–5: Open a temporary bank account with your passport (no ARC needed yet).
Day 5–7: Visit your local Immigration Office and apply for your ARC (외국인등록증, Alien Registration Card).
After ARC arrives (2–3 weeks): Switch to a postpaid phone plan, upgrade your bank account, and enroll in National Health Insurance (국민건강보험).

Feeling overwhelmed already? Admissions.kr offers arrival support packages that walk you through every step.

Before You Leave Home: Documents to Pack

Before we get to Day 1, make sure these documents are in your carry-on bag — not your checked luggage:

Passport (with valid visa sticker or visa grant notice)
University admission letter (입학허가서) — printed copy
Passport-size photos (at least 6 copies, 3.5cm x 4.5cm, white background)
Proof of accommodation (dormitory assignment letter or lease agreement)
Financial proof (bank statement or scholarship certificate — you may need it again)
Travel insurance certificate (to cover you until National Health Insurance kicks in)
Home country documents: birth certificate, degree transcripts, and any apostilled or notarized documents your university requested. You cannot easily get these after you arrive.

Keep digital copies of everything in cloud storage. If a document gets lost, a scanned copy can buy you time.

Day 1–2: Airport to Campus

Step 1: Buy a Prepaid USIM Card (선불 유심)

You need a working phone number from the moment you step out of the airport. A prepaid USIM card lets you make calls, use data, and access Korean apps without signing a long-term contract.

Where to buy: Convenience stores and telecom booths at Incheon Airport arrivals hall. Look for KT, SKT, or LG U+ kiosks. You can also order one online before arriving and pick it up at the airport.

What you need: Your passport. That is it.

Cost: Approximately ₩30,000–₩55,000 (~$22–$40 USD) for 30 days of data and calls.

Why this matters: Without a Korean phone number, you cannot verify accounts on Kakao, Naver, or most Korean apps. You also cannot receive calls from your university or immigration office.

Step 2: Get to Campus

Airport Railroad Express (AREX, 공항철도): The cheapest option from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station — about ₩4,750–₩5,350 (~~$3.50–$4 USD) for the regular (all-stop) train or ₩13,000 (~~$10 USD) for the express/direct train (discounts available if booked online). Takes 43–66 minutes.

Airport Bus (공항버스): Direct limousine buses run to major university areas (Sinchon, Gangnam, Suwon, etc.). Costs ₩15,000–₩18,000 (~$11–$13 USD) for Seoul destinations; suburban routes may be slightly less. Check routes at the airport bus ticket counters or at airportlimousine.co.kr.

Taxi: ₩75,000–₩90,000+ (~$56–$67+ USD) for a regular taxi to central Seoul; deluxe taxis (모범택시) can exceed ₩130,000. Not recommended unless you have heavy luggage and a specific address.

Tip: Buy a T-money card (티머니) at any convenience store in the airport (₩3,000 for the standard card, then load money onto it). It works on all subways, buses, and even some taxis. You will use this card every single day.

Step 3: Check Into Your Accommodation

If you are in a university dormitory (기숙사), check-in is usually organized by the international office. Bring your admission letter and passport. If you are renting a room off-campus (원룸, 고시텔, or shared housing), have your lease agreement ready.

Day 2–3: University Orientation

Step 4: Attend the International Student Orientation

Most Korean universities hold a mandatory orientation for international students during the first week. Do not skip this. It is where you will:

Receive your student ID card (학생증)
Get instructions for course registration (수강신청)
Learn about campus facilities: library, health center, counseling services
Receive a temporary enrollment certificate (재학증명서) — you will need this for your bank account and ARC application

Step 5: Collect Key Documents from the International Office

Ask for:

Certificate of Admission (입학증명서)
Certificate of Enrollment (재학증명서) — even a temporary one
Dormitory confirmation (if applicable)
Your university's designated immigration office and instructions for ARC registration

These documents are your currency for the next few days. You will need them at the bank and the immigration office.

Day 3–5: Open a Bank Account

Step 6: Open a Temporary Bank Account

You need a Korean bank account to receive scholarship payments, pay tuition, and handle daily transactions. As of 2026, several banks allow international students to open a basic account with passport only — before your ARC arrives.

Banks that commonly accept passport-only accounts:

Bank	Notes
KEB Hana Bank (하나은행)	Most foreigner-friendly; many branches have English-speaking staff
Woori Bank (우리은행)	Common on university campuses; student-oriented services
Shinhan Bank (신한은행)	Wide branch and ATM network
NH NongHyup (농협은행)	Available in smaller cities and rural areas

What to bring:

Passport
University enrollment certificate (재학증명서)
Korean phone number (from your prepaid USIM)
Your accommodation address in Korea

Important: A passport-only account is typically a basic account with limited daily transfer amounts (often ₩500,000–₩1,000,000 per day). After you receive your ARC, you can visit the bank again to upgrade to a full account with higher limits and online banking access.

Tip: Choose a bank with a branch on or near your campus. You will visit it multiple times in your first months.

Day 5–7: Apply for Your ARC (Alien Registration Card)

Step 7: Visit the Immigration Office

The Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증, ARC) is the single most important document you will obtain in Korea. It is your ID card, your proof of legal residence, and the key to unlocking full bank services, a postpaid phone plan, and health insurance.

You must apply for your ARC within 90 days of arrival. Do not wait until the last week. Apply in your first week while everything is fresh.

Where: Your local Immigration Office (출입국관리사무소) or branch office. Check HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) for the office that serves your address. You can also book an appointment online through HiKorea to avoid long wait times.

What to bring:

Passport (original)
Completed application form (available at the office or downloadable from HiKorea)
1 passport-size photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
University enrollment certificate (재학증명서)
Proof of accommodation (dormitory confirmation or lease contract)
Application fee: ₩35,000 (~$26 USD) — raised from ₩30,000 as of January 2025

Processing time: Your ARC will typically be mailed to your address within 2–3 weeks. Some offices issue a receipt that serves as temporary proof of registration.

After Your ARC Arrives (2–3 Weeks Later)

Once you have your ARC in hand, a second round of essential tasks opens up.

Step 8: Upgrade Your Phone Plan

With your ARC, you can now sign up for a postpaid phone plan (후불제) with a major carrier (KT, SKT, LG U+). This gives you better rates, unlimited data options, and the ability to use phone-based payment services.

You can also keep your prepaid USIM if the plan suits you. But most students switch to postpaid within the first month for convenience and cost savings.

Step 9: Upgrade Your Bank Account

Return to your bank with your ARC. They will upgrade your basic account to a full account with:

Higher daily transfer limits
Internet and mobile banking access (인터넷뱅킹 / 모바일뱅킹)
Debit card issuance (체크카드)
International transfer capabilities

Step 10: Enroll in National Health Insurance (국민건강보험)

As of 2026, all international students staying in Korea for 6 months or more are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHIS, 국민건강보험) system. This is not optional.

Monthly premium: Approximately ₩70,000–₩80,000 (~$52–$60 USD) per month for international students, as of 2026.

How to enroll: Your university may handle group enrollment during orientation. If not, visit your local NHIS branch (국민건강보험공단) with your ARC and enrollment certificate.

What it covers: Doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and preventive care at Korean medical facilities. Without NHIS, a single hospital visit can cost hundreds of dollars out of pocket.

Tip: Until your NHIS coverage begins, your travel insurance from home covers you. Make sure there is no gap between the two.

Essential Apps and Tools for Your First Week

App	What It Does
Kakao Talk (카카오톡)	Korea's universal messaging app. Your university, classmates, and landlord will all use it.
Naver Map (네이버 지도)	More accurate than Google Maps for Korean addresses, bus routes, and subway navigation.
Kakao Map (카카오맵)	Alternative to Naver Map; some prefer its interface.
T-money Balance Check	Check your T-money card balance and recent transactions.
Papago (파파고)	Naver's translation app. Works well for Korean ↔ English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and more.
배달의민족 (Baemin) or Coupang Eats	Food delivery apps. Useful when you are still learning the neighborhood.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Waiting too long to apply for your ARC. You have 90 days, but waiting until day 80 is risky. Immigration offices get crowded near deadlines, and processing delays could push you past your window. Apply in your first week.

Mistake 2: Not bringing enough passport photos. Korean bureaucracy runs on passport photos. Banks, immigration offices, university offices — they all ask for them. Bring at least 6 from home. You can also take them at photo booths (증명사진) in subway stations for about ₩5,000.

Mistake 3: Skipping travel insurance for the first month. Your National Health Insurance does not start on Day 1. If you get sick or injured before enrollment, you are paying out of pocket — unless you have travel insurance.

Mistake 4: Not downloading Naver Map before arrival. Google Maps works in Korea, but it is significantly less detailed for local navigation. Naver Map shows real-time bus arrivals, exact building entrances, and walking paths that Google misses.

What To Do Next

Print this checklist — or save it to your phone — and check off each step as you go. The first 7 days set the foundation for your entire stay in Korea. If you handle the ARC, bank, phone, and insurance in the right order, everything else becomes much easier.

If the logistics feel like too much to handle alone, Admissions.kr offers arrival support services. We help students set up their bank accounts, prepare their ARC applications, and navigate the first-week paperwork — so you can focus on settling into your new life.

References & Useful Links

Korea Immigration Service: https://www.immigration.go.kr — ARC application requirements and immigration office locations.
HiKorea — Online Appointment System: https://www.hikorea.go.kr — Book immigration appointments and apply for ARC online.
National Health Insurance Service (NHIS): https://www.nhis.or.kr — Enrollment information for international students.
Study in Korea: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr — General guide for international students including arrival procedures.
AREX Airport Railroad: https://www.arex.or.kr — Train schedules and fares from Incheon Airport.