📱 How Foreigners Can Get a Korean Mobile Phone Number
(No confusion. No rejection. Step-by-step guide.)
A Korean mobile number is one of the first things you must get when starting life in Korea.
You need it for:
- Bank account
- Address registration
- Delivery apps (배달)
- Online payments
- Messaging (KakaoTalk requires a phone number)
If you don’t have a Korean number, almost nothing works.
📌 There are 3 ways to get a Korean phone number
| Type | Requires ARC? | Price | Best for |
| ✅ Prepaid SIM (편의점 / telecom store) | ❌ ARC not required | ₩10,000~ | New arrivals / tourists |
| ✅ Monthly Plan (Postpaid) | ✅ ARC required | ₩25,000~ | Long-term residents |
| ✅ eSIM (online purchase) | ❌ ARC not required | ₩5,000~ | Travelers / short-term stay |
🛒 Option 1: Prepaid SIM (편의점 / telecom store)
➡️ Fastest option
➡️ Perfect if you don’t have ARC yet
You can buy at:
- CU / GS25 / Emart24 (convenience stores)
- Telecom stores (KT / SK / LG)
What you need:
- Passport only
How to activate (at convenience store):
- Buy SIM
- Scan QR on package
- Upload passport photo
- Wait 1–3 hours → Korean number activated
📱 After activation, KakaoTalk can be registered.
📅 Option 2: Monthly Plan (Postpaid)
➡️ Best price
➡️ Requires ARC (Alien Registration Card)
Required:
- Passport
- ARC
- Korean address + phone number for SMS
Where to apply:
- KT / SKT / LG main stores
- Smaller telecom shops (멤버쉽 대리점)
📌 TIP: Districts with many foreigners (Itaewon / Hongdae / Gangnam) are more flexible.
🌍 Option 3: eSIM Online (Instant activation)
➡️ No physical SIM
➡️ Activate in minutes
Perfect if you just arrived and need a number fast.
What you need:
- Passport
- Unlocked phone
Activation time: ~5 minutes
📌 Don’t switch phones after eSIM installation — number stays with that device.
🧩 Prepaid vs Monthly Plan — Which is better?
| Features | Prepaid SIM | Postpaid Plan |
| ARC needed? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Fast activation | ✅ | ❌ Appointment sometimes needed |
| Cost | Higher | Cheaper |
| Korean ID verification (for apps) | Partial | ✅ Fully supported |
If you just arrived → Prepaid SIM
After ARC → Switch to Monthly Plan
🗣 What to say (English → Korean)
| Situation | Korean Phrase you say at the store |
| To get a prepaid SIM | “선불 유심 개통하고 싶어요.” |
| To switch to a monthly plan | “후불 요금제로 변경하고 싶어요.” |
| If you have ARC | “외국인등록증 있습니다.” |
| If you don’t have ARC | “여권으로 개통 가능할까요?” |
Copy, show, done.
✅ Documents Checklist
| Required | Prepaid SIM | Monthly Plan |
| Passport | ✅ | ✅ |
| ARC (Alien Registration Card) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Korean address | ❌ | ✅ |
| Korean bank account | ❌ | ✅ (for auto-payment) |
🚫 Common mistakes that cause rejection
| Mistake | Why it matters |
| Trying to get a monthly plan without ARC | Monthly plans require verified ID |
| Buying prepaid SIM but not registering passport | Number won’t activate |
| Moving SIM to another phone during activation | eSIM or SIM may fail |
🔧 After getting your number — do these 3 things
| Task | Why |
| Register KakaoTalk | Messaging & identity verification |
| Activate bank app authentication | Needed for account opening |
| Save your SIM PIN & phone number | Needed for immigration paperwork |
🔑 Summary
- Foreigners can get a Korean mobile number without ARC
- Prepaid SIM = easiest
- Monthly plan = cheapest (ARC required)
Your Korean phone number is not just for calls —
it's your digital ID in Korea.
Once you get it, everything becomes easier.
