NextLatitude
All guides

Move-to checklist · East Asia

🇰🇷

Moving to South Korea from the USA

Checklist for Americans moving to South Korea — the F-2-7 points-based, D-8/D-10 startup, D-7 intra-company, and the new digital nomad (F-1-D) visas, ARC (Alien Registration Card), banking, housing in Seoul or Busan, and NHIS healthcare.

Adds every item below to your personal checklist & timeline. Free account, no card.

Download the South Korea guide

Enter your email and we'll send the full checklist straight to your inbox — no account required.

One email with the checklist. Unsubscribe any time.

01

Visa & legal right to stay

  • Pick a visa: E-7 (skilled worker, employer-sponsored), F-2-7 (points-based long-term), D-8 (corporate investor), D-10 (job-seeker), or F-1-D (digital nomad, ‘Workation’)

    Must

    F-1-D needs ~$66,000/yr income and 1+ year of remote experience with a non-Korean employer.

  • Book an appointment at the Korean consulate covering your US state

    Must

  • Plan to convert your visa into an ARC within 90 days of arrival at a local Immigration Office (HiKorea)

    Must
02

Paperwork to gather before you fly

  • Apostilled FBI background check (under 6 months)

    Must

  • Apostilled university diplomas and transcripts — required for most work visas

    Must

  • Apostilled birth and marriage certificates if bringing dependents

  • Notarized employment contract or proof of remote income for F-1-D

    Must

  • Korean-government health statement (TB screening required for long stays)

  • Pet paperwork: USDA-endorsed rabies certificate within 10 days, microchip required

03

Money & banking

  • Open a Korean bank account after getting your ARC — KEB Hana, Woori, and Shinhan are the most foreigner-friendly

    Must

  • Get a Korean phone number first — almost every bank app requires one for authentication

    Must

  • Set up Toss or KakaoPay for everyday transfers — Koreans rarely use cash

  • Korea taxes worldwide income after 183 days of residency; the US-Korea treaty prevents double taxation in most cases

  • Keep a US account for IRS payments and US-based subscriptions

04

Housing

  • Book a 1–2 month serviced apartment or goshiwon while you search

  • Search Zigbang, Dabang, or Naver Real Estate — most listings go through local 부동산 (budongsan) agents

    An English-speaking agent in Itaewon, Hannam, or Haebangchon saves weeks.

  • Understand jeonse vs. wolse: jeonse = huge lump-sum deposit (often $50K–$300K+) returned at lease end; wolse = smaller deposit + monthly rent

    Must

  • Budget a ~$5,000–$20,000 deposit even on monthly leases

  • Register your address at the local 주민센터 (community center) after signing — required for the ARC

    Must
05

Healthcare

  • Carry travel/expat insurance for the first 6 months — NHIS enrollment is mandatory at month 6 of residency

    Must

  • Enroll in NHIS (National Health Insurance) — ~₩150,000/mo for most foreign residents

    Must

  • Korean hospitals are excellent and inexpensive — specialist visits run ~$20–40 with NHIS

  • Consider a private top-up for dental and vision (NHIS coverage is limited there)

06

First 30 days on the ground

  • Apply for your ARC at the local Immigration Office within 90 days of arrival via HiKorea booking

    Must

  • Get a T-money card for subway, bus, and taxis nationwide

  • Buy a SIM from SK Telecom, KT, or LG U+ — bring your ARC for a postpaid plan

    Chingu Mobile and Mobal offer English-friendly prepaid options for the first weeks.

  • Convert your US license to a Korean one at the local driver's license agency — most US states qualify under reciprocity

  • Register with the US Embassy in Seoul (STEP) for emergency updates

FAQ

Can I really live in Korea on the new digital nomad visa?

Yes — the F-1-D (Workation) visa launched in 2024 lets remote workers stay up to 2 years if you earn ~$66,000/yr from a non-Korean employer or your own non-Korean business. You can't take local employment on it.

How big is the jeonse deposit really?

Eye-watering — full jeonse in Seoul can run $100K–$500K. Most newcomers use wolse (monthly rent + a $5K–$20K deposit) until they understand the market.

Free with sign-up

Turn this into a personalized South Korea plan

A free account converts this checklist into a country-specific timeline, budget, and reminders — and unlocks the AI assistant for follow-up questions.

Build my planAlready have an account? Log in

Other country checklists

NextLatitude is for organization and guidance only. Visa rules, tax thresholds, and procedures change — always confirm with the relevant consulate or a licensed professional before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-01.