Your first 90 days in South Korea: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The card wait is the choke point: metro immigration slots book weeks out, and until the Residence Card number exists, full bank accounts, phone contracts, and identity-verified apps stay out of reach.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Foreign resident registration → Residence Card (formerly ARC) at the local immigration office
Within 90 days of entry (visit slot booked via HiKorea)
HiKorea reservation slots in metro areas book out weeks ahead; passport, photo, proof of address, and a KRW 30,000 fee; the card takes about 2-3 weeks to issue.
Get your Foreign Registration Number (on the Residence Card)
Functions as the national ID and tax number — banking, phones, housing, hospitals, and every online identity check.
Issued automatically with the Residence Card after registration at immigration; nothing separate to apply for.
Open a bank account
The Residence Card and a Korean phone number are effectively prerequisites; new accounts open 'limited' (low transfer caps) until employment or utility proof upgrades them. Wise or WOWPASS covers the pre-card weeks.
Enrol in healthcare
Employees join NHIS from day one via the employer; everyone else is auto-enrolled as a local subscriber after 6 months of residence and billed by mail — private cover bridges the first half-year.
Sort your driver's license
An IDP works up to a year; US licenses exchange at a Driver's License Examination Office — many states swap test-free under reciprocity, others add the written exam; the foreign license is commonly retained until departure.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in South Korea: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in South Korea?
Foreign resident registration → Residence Card (formerly ARC) at the local immigration office — Within 90 days of entry (visit slot booked via HiKorea). HiKorea reservation slots in metro areas book out weeks ahead; passport, photo, proof of address, and a KRW 30,000 fee; the card takes about 2-3 weeks to issue. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the Foreign Registration Number and do I need one?
Foreign Registration Number (on the Residence Card) is South Korea's personal tax/ID number. Functions as the national ID and tax number — banking, phones, housing, hospitals, and every online identity check. Issued automatically with the Residence Card after registration at immigration; nothing separate to apply for.
Can I drive in South Korea on a US license?
An IDP works up to a year; US licenses exchange at a Driver's License Examination Office — many states swap test-free under reciprocity, others add the written exam; the foreign license is commonly retained until departure. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to South Korea?
Employees join NHIS from day one via the employer; everyone else is auto-enrolled as a local subscriber after 6 months of residence and billed by mail — private cover bridges the first half-year. See our healthcare-systems guide for how South Korea's system treats foreign residents.