한국 생활 첫 달 체크리스트: 외국인등록·주소 신고·건강보험·은행·휴대폰

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Your first month in Korea: residence registration, address reports, health insurance, banking and a phone

Last checked: 20 October 2026 · compared against 8 official sources opened that day

Your first month in Korea brings a rush of tasks, and doing them in the wrong order means fetching the same document twice or missing a legal deadline. We split the month into weeks, separating tasks with legal deadlines from everyday essentials. Deadlines and documents were checked on 20 October 2026 against the Immigration Act and its rules, the National Health Insurance Act and its rules, and the HiKorea and National Health Insurance Service pages. For banks and phone shops, whose requirements vary by company, we give only what to check.

Right after arrival: an address and photos

Almost every task asks for two things: proof of where you live and photos of the right size. Annex 5-2 of the Immigration Act's Enforcement Rules requires proof of address for residence registration and extensions, so get a document such as a lease that shows your name and address, and if you live in company housing ask whether the company issues a certificate. Registration photos are passport size (3.5 x 4.5 cm), with a face 2.5 to 3.5 cm long, a plain or white background and no border, taken within six months, facing forward, with no sunglasses or hat except for medical reasons. Print several, since other applications such as a driver's license need them too. Photograph the entry stamp or visa showing your permitted stay, because every first-month deadline counts from your entry date.

Week 1: book and apply for residence registration

Under Article 31 of the Immigration Act, anyone staying more than 90 days must register at the immigration office for their area within 90 days of entry; diplomats and staff of international organisations and their families are among the exceptions. Appointments can be weeks away in some areas, so book in the first week. The common documents are your passport, one photo and proof of address, plus the application form, the fee and any documents your status requires; check the fee and status-specific list on HiKorea. Documents issued abroad need an apostille or consular confirmation. Once registered you receive a residence card. The law requires foreign residents to carry their passport, residence card or mobile residence card (Article 27, except under-17s) and to show it to officials on request. A mobile residence card with the same legal effect can also be issued (Article 33).

Week 2: phone and bank

There is no legal deadline, but you need both to be paid and to receive verification texts. Some products need only a passport while others need the residence card, so check requirements by phone or website before you go. Some banks ask for proof of employment for a salary account, so ask your HR team what they can provide. Never lend or sell an account, card or phone line in your name, because if it is used for crime you will be in serious trouble. Choose one phone number for all verifications and tell every organisation when it changes.

Week 3: confirm your health insurance

Under Article 109 of the National Health Insurance Act, registered foreigners working at a covered workplace become workplace members, so check that health and long-term care premiums appear on your first payslip. Others become regional members after living in Korea for the required period, which Article 61-2 of the Enforcement Rules sets at six months. Permanent residents, E-9 workers, marriage migrants and students or trainees in statuses designated by the health ministry are covered without the six-month wait. The spouse and children under 19 of a workplace member can apply as dependants without the residence period. If you already have equivalent medical cover through foreign law, foreign insurance or your employment contract, you can apply for exemption. Some foreign regional members must prepay each month's premium by the 25th of the previous month (Article 109(8)). The insurance service's published 2026 average premium for foreign regional members is 158,630 won; your own bill may differ.

Week 4: put the deadlines in your calendar

If you move, report your new address within 15 days of moving in, at the local district or community office or the immigration office (Article 36); bring your card so the new address can be written on it. If your name, sex, date of birth, nationality, or passport number, issue date or expiry changes, report it within 15 days (Article 35), which matters whenever you renew your passport. Add your card's expiry date to your calendar and note that you can apply for an extension from four months before it; see our extension guide.

If your family came with you

Registration and deadlines multiply by the number of family members. Under Article 33 a residence card need not be issued to a child under 17, but a child who turns 17 without one must apply within 90 days, so set a reminder near the birthday. Children at primary or secondary school need a school certificate for residence applications, and a workplace member's spouse and children under 19 can apply as health insurance dependants.

Your first payday

Keep your first payslip: the Labor Standards Act requires one every payday showing pay items, calculations and deductions. The 2026 minimum wage is 10,320 won an hour, or 2,156,880 won a month for a 40-hour week. Check that your base pay per hour is not lower and that health insurance, pension and employment insurance were deducted. Our payslip guide explains each line.

Who to call

Call 1345, the Immigration Contact Center, for stay and registration questions and general help living in Korea (weekdays 09:00 to 22:00 except public holidays, charged). Call 1350, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, about wages, hours and employment insurance (weekdays 09:00 to 18:00, charged). Call 112 for the police and 119 for fire, rescue and medical emergencies. You do not have to get everything perfect in the first month, but keep the legal deadlines, especially 90 days for registration and 15 days after a move.