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 Practical Information
Before Arriving: Visas | Insurance
During Your Stay: Alien Registration | Communications | Lodging | Marriage | Studying | Transportation | Working
When Departing: Departure Tax
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 Before Arriving
Visas
Visitors from most Western countries who will be staying in Korea less than 15 days and have a departing ticket generally do not need to get a visa. Those planning longer stays must get a visa from a Korean embassy or consulate before entering Korea. Processing a 90-day tourist visa usually takes one day, and it is good for five years or however long you passport is valid. After the 90 days you can leave Korea for another country and return, but overstaying a visa is an expensive ordeal (starting at W100,000 for the first few days).

Processing a different type of visa (working, teaching, etc.) requires a lot of paperwork including, among others, a guarantee by a Korean national, and the whole package has to be sent to Seoul to be signed off by representatives from various government agencies. Even though all the paperwork gets sent to Seoul to be acted upon, the actual application must take place outside of Korea. So if you want to change your visa after entering the country, you must leave Korea and apply in another country. You can not legally change your visa in Korea. Even if you somehow manage to grease some hands and manage the impossible, chances are that some hawk-eyed immigration agent will recognize that you never left the country. (The only exception to this rule is those people who take jobs here working for the U.S. government or government contractors and fall under the Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA).)
Health and Travel Insurance
Private medical and travel insurance is a very valuable commodity to have if you are living or working in South Korea or any foreign country to protect you against unforeseen emergencies. For more information and online applications, please visit the following agents:


 During Your Stay
Transportation
transportation Korea's public transportation system is very extensive and cheap, accessing almost every place imaginable. For this reason, until the late 1970's, most people did not own cars. The economic boom of the 1980s brought a rapid increase in the number of private automobiles, and the increase in new vehicles has far out paced the rate of building new roads and parking facilities. As a result, roads are often jammed, especially during weekends and holidays.

Private transportation Public transportation
  • Bicycles
  • Cars (rent a car)
  • Motorcycles
    		•
  • Boats
  • Buses
  • Planes
    		•
  • Subways
  • Taxis
  • Trains

    •
    lodging Lodging
    Korea offers several levels of accommodation, from the budget-minded backpacker to the expense account charging business person. Short-term visitors should check out the short-term accommodation section, while long-term expatriates should refer to the long-term section. Also visit our online lodging system for making real-time reservations.
    telephone Communications
    For the traveler or expatriate, being able to keep in contact with the folks back home remains a high priority. People need to stay informed about the world around them, whether the news is around the world or around the block.

    work Working in Korea
    Working in Korea without a proper work (or teaching) visa is illegal, and those caught are subject to hefty fines, deportation, and are not allowed to re-enter the country for at least a year. Switching companies or doing activities not described in your visa (such as teaching private English lessons) without authorization from the immigration office (almost impossible to get) is also illegal. However, that does not stop the thousands of foreign workers here who leave their legal employers or other people teaching English on tourist or student visas.
    school Studying in Korea (For Expatriates)
    College
    Several universities offer classes in English for foreign students, from undergraduate to graduate levels. For more information, visit the following schools:
  • Yonsei University
    Korean Language
    Numerous universities and private institutes offer Korean language courses for foreigners, ranging in levels from a basic to advanced. Some universities offer student visas for language students. You can also study online at with our Korean Language Practice section.

    •
    Alien Registration
    Visitors planning to stay in Korea long-term (over 90 days) must have some sort of long-term visa (working, teaching, studying, etc.) before entering the country, then must also apply for alien registration within 90 days of arriving. (See the telephone list for numbers for the different offices around the country.)

    Necessary documents vary depending on visa type, but generally you will need the original and a copy of your invitation letter from the company or school a guarantee from from your sponsor. You must also have your passport and several passport size pictures. First time applicants may also get fingerprinted. After turning in all the documents and pay the fee (around 20,00 won), you must return in 7-10 days to pick up your stamped passport and your registration "card" (actually a small booklet). Note that you must leave your passport during this period, so make sure you have already changed enough money to get you through this period! If you move, you will need to visit the local government office to have your resident card updated. When you leave the country at the end of your stay, you must surrender the resident card when you go through customs.
    marriage Marriage Registration
    For marriages between a Korean and a foreigner, several steps must be performed to make the marriage legal. Basically, you need to register the marriage with the Korean authorities and with your own embassy, a somewhat complicated process. After you register, visit the Cultural Spotlight section to find out how to have a traditional Korean marriage ceremony.


     When Departing
    Departure Tax
    All non-Koreans leaving by air are subject to a W10,000 Departure Tax at the airport and W17,000 Passenger Service Charge. The fees are often included in the ticket price.

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