First Month in Korea: Your Housing Timeline from Arrival to Signed Lease
A step-by-step housing timeline for foreigners arriving in Korea — from landing to ARC, bank account, apartment search, and signed lease.
Key facts
- →An ARC (Alien Registration Card) takes 2–4 weeks to process after application
- →Foreigners staying more than 90 days must apply for an ARC within 90 days of arrival
- →Most landlords require an ARC and a Korean bank account before signing a lease
- →A goshiwon or short-term furnished room is the standard bridge accommodation while waiting for an ARC
Overview: the typical first-month sequence
Most foreigners follow this sequence when arriving in Korea:
- Arrive → get Korean SIM card
- Move into temporary accommodation (goshiwon or short-term rental)
- Start work or study
- Apply for ARC within 90 days
- Open Korean bank account (requires ARC)
- Search for long-term housing
- Sign lease, pay deposit, move in
- Register move-in (전입신고) within 14 days
The bottleneck is almost always the ARC. Until you have it, landlords won't sign a lease and banks won't open an account. Plan for 4–6 weeks of temporary accommodation.
Week 1: Arrive and stabilise
Day 1
Get a Korean SIM card. Available at Incheon Airport from KT, SKT, or LG U+. Costs ₩30K–₩80K/month for unlimited data. You need a Korean number for KakaoTalk, which is how everyone — landlords, agents, employers — communicates in Korea.
Head to temporary accommodation. If you haven't pre-booked, a goshiwon near your workplace is the cheapest option. Search Naver or ask your employer's HR. Alternatively, short-term furnished officetels via Ziptoss or Airbnb cost more but offer better conditions.
Days 2–7
Open a Korean bank account. Some banks — particularly KEB Hana Bank (foreigner branch) and Shinhan Bank — will open an account for a foreigner using only a passport plus visa, before an ARC is issued. Call ahead to confirm which branch handles foreign accounts.
Install KakaoTalk and connect it to your Korean number. This is Korea's primary messaging app. You'll use it to communicate with agents, landlords, and your building manager.
Register at your local immigration office to start the ARC application. Find your nearest office at www.immigration.go.kr. Bring your passport and visa, proof of residence (your temporary accommodation address), and a passport photo.
Weeks 2–4: Organise documents, start research
ARC processing
Your ARC application is in progress. Processing takes 2–4 weeks. You'll be notified by text when it's ready to collect.
Use this time to research neighbourhoods. Read the Seoulstart neighbourhood guides for Itaewon, Hongdae, Hannam-dong, Gangnam, and Yongsan.
Bank account
Once your ARC is issued, open a full Korean bank account if you opened a limited one earlier. You need a bank account to pay a rental deposit — most landlords won't accept international transfers.
Recommended: KEB Hana Bank (most foreigner-friendly English interface) or Shinhan Bank. Bring ARC, passport, and a Korean phone number.
Start contacting agents
Even before your ARC arrives, start talking to foreigner-friendly agents. Explain your situation and timeline. Good agents will help you understand the market, identify suitable areas, and be ready to move quickly when your ARC comes through.
Tip: Tell agents upfront that you're waiting on your ARC and give them your expected collection date. They'll line up viewings for that window. Don't wait until the ARC is in hand to start the conversation.
Weeks 4–6: Active apartment search
What to look for
By now you should know your target neighbourhood and budget. When viewing units:
- Check building age (older buildings may have insulation or moisture issues)
- Test all appliances, air-con, heating, and water pressure
- Check mobile signal inside the unit
- Ask about 관리비 (management fee) — what's included?
- Check the commute time at rush hour, not midday
Documents to request before signing
Before committing to any unit, pull these:
- 등기부등본 (property registration) — check ownership and mortgages at www.iros.go.kr for ₩1,000
- 건축물대장 (building register) — confirm legal use and construction date
See the full Korea Lease Documents Checklist for a complete list.
Signing and moving in
Signing day
- Bring ARC, passport, and proof of bank account
- Use the standard government lease contract (표준임대차계약서)
- Confirm all amounts are correct and match what you agreed verbally
- Photograph the unit condition before handing over any money
Deposit transfer
Transfer the deposit directly to the landlord's bank account. Confirm the account name matches the owner in the 등기부등본.
Never transfer a deposit to an agent's account. Legitimate transactions go to the landlord directly.
Moving in
- Photograph every room before unpacking — document existing damage
- Report any issues to your landlord in writing (KakaoTalk) within 24 hours
Within 14 days of moving in: legal registration
This is not optional. Two steps protect your deposit:
1. Move-in registration (전입신고) At your local district office (구청). Bring lease contract, passport, ARC. Legal protection (대항력) takes effect the day after you register and occupy — do this on move-in day, not the day after.
Foreigners only: Also notify your local immigration office of your new address (체류지 변경신고) within 14 days — a separate requirement from the district office 전입신고.
2. Confirmed date stamp (확정일자) At the same district office visit. Free. Protects your deposit priority date.
Both take less than an hour. Do them on moving day.
Realistic timeline summary
| Days from arrival | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Korean SIM, temporary accommodation |
| Days 2–5 | ARC application submitted, limited bank account |
| Days 7–14 | Neighbourhood research, first agent contact |
| Days 14–28 | ARC processing |
| Days 28–35 | ARC collected, full bank account opened |
| Days 35–50 | Active apartment viewings |
| Days 50–60 | Lease signed, deposit paid |
| Move-in day | 전입신고 + 확정일자 registered |
Your actual timeline will vary based on visa type, how quickly you find a unit, and whether the landlord is responsive. Budget for 6–8 weeks from arrival to settled into a long-term apartment.
Useful contacts
- Korea Immigration Service — www.immigration.go.kr — ARC application status
- Seoul Global Center — global.seoul.go.kr — English-language advice for foreigners in Seoul
- Korean Internet Registration System (IROS) — www.iros.go.kr — Pull property documents, get 확정일자 online
Sources
- Korea Immigration Service: www.immigration.go.kr
- Seoul Global Center: global.seoul.go.kr
- Korea Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: www.molit.go.kr
Frequently asked questions
Can I sign a lease in Korea before I get my ARC?
Most landlords and agents will not sign a lease with a foreigner who doesn't have an ARC. A few may accept a passport plus proof of employment or enrollment, but this is the exception. Plan for 4–6 weeks of temporary accommodation while your ARC is processed.
How long does it take to get an ARC in Korea?
After applying at your local immigration office, ARC processing typically takes 2–4 weeks. You can check the status online. Apply as early as possible — within the first few weeks of arrival.
Where should I stay while waiting for my ARC?
A goshiwon (고시원) is the cheapest option at ₩300K–₩600K/month with no deposit. Short-term furnished rentals (via Airbnb or platforms like Ziptoss) cost more but offer better living conditions. Many expats spend their first 4–6 weeks in a goshiwon near their workplace while organising their ARC and bank account.
Which Korean bank is best for foreigners?
KEB Hana Bank and Shinhan Bank have the most foreigner-accessible account opening processes and better English-language online banking. IBK (Industrial Bank of Korea) is often used by foreign workers whose employers bank there. Bring your passport, ARC, and proof of address (your temporary accommodation address is fine).
Do I need a Korean phone number to rent an apartment?
Not strictly required, but practically essential. Korean landlords and agents communicate via KakaoTalk, which requires a Korean phone number. Get a Korean SIM card at the airport or a convenience store within your first day — it takes 10 minutes with your passport.
Sources
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