Can Foreigners Really Rent a Home in Korea With Just a Short-Term Visa?

Can Foreigners Rent a Home in Korea on a Short-Term Visa?

More foreigners are choosing to spend extended time in Korea—beyond the typical one-week vacation.
Some come for work-from-anywhere plans, others for language study, digital nomad life, cultural exploration, or simply to experience “living like a local.”

Regardless of the reason, one question keeps coming up, over and over:

“Can a foreigner rent a house or apartment in Korea even on a short-term visa?”

The short answer is yes, but the full answer requires some unpacking.
Korea’s rental system—monthly rent, deposits, contracts, utilities—can feel overwhelming at first glance, especially for someone who has never lived here.

Based on firsthand experience helping colleagues find housing (and moving several times myself),
I’ve broken everything down into the simplest guide possible.

Let’s walk through whether it’s possible, how it works, and what to expect.

---

■ Table of Contents

1. Can foreigners rent with a short-term visa?
2. Types of rental options available
3. Required documents and what landlords ask for
4. How to search for housing in Korea
5. Understanding Korean rental costs
6. Visa limitations vs rental contract periods
7. Recommended neighborhoods
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
9. Summary + checklist
10. CTA – What to do next

---

■ 1. Can foreigners rent with a short-term visa?

Yes — foreigners with short-term visas can rent.

However, the answer depends on what type of rental you choose.

What works well for short-term visa holders:

✔ Monthly rent (보증금 + 월세)
✔ Share houses / co-living
✔ Long-stay Airbnb

What is difficult or nearly impossible:

✘ Traditional Jeonse (전세; large lump-sum deposit)
✘ Long-term government contracts
✘ Rentals requiring a Korean guarantor

In real life:

• Many landlords accept foreigners
• Some require extra documentation
• A few simply prefer Korean tenants because of paperwork concerns

But legally, there is no rule blocking foreigners, regardless of visa type.

---

■ 2. Best rental types for short-term residents

① Monthly Rent (Deposit + Monthly Payment)

The most straightforward option.

• Contracts range from 1–12 months
• Refundable deposit required
• Monthly rent + maintenance fees

② Share House or Co-living

Highly foreigner-friendly.

• Fully furnished rooms
• Utilities included or bundled
• English-speaking staff is common
• 1–3 months minimum stay

Great choice if:

• You’re new to Korea
• You want zero setup effort
• You prefer people around

③ Discounted long-stay Airbnb

Ideal for one-month stays.

• No deposits or legal contracts
• Higher monthly cost
• Simplest process

---

■ 3. Commonly required documents

Based on multiple contract experiences,
here’s what you may need.

Frequently requested:

• Passport
• Visa or entry record
• Korean phone number
• Korean bank account (not always required)

Sometimes asked:

• Employment letter or student proof
• Emergency contact
• Proof of funds

If you do have an ARC (Alien Registration Card), everything becomes faster and more flexible,
but it’s not mandatory for many short-term rentals.

---

■ 4. How to find rental housing

① Real estate agent (공인중개사)

Pros:

• Safest contract execution
• Clear explanation of terms
• Protection in case of disputes
  Cons:
• Agent fee applies
  Tip: Search for agents who have worked with foreigners before.

② Rental apps / websites

• ZIGBANG (직방)
• DABANG (다방)
• PeterPan 좋은방
• Coliving platforms

Pros:

• See hundreds of listings quickly
• Filter by rent, size, neighborhood
  Cons:
• Most messaging requires Korean phone number
• Contract still signed offline

③ Share houses & co-living networks

Best for beginners.

• Turnkey living setup
• Flexible terms
• International community vibe

---

■ 5. Understanding rental cost structure

Korean monthly rent usually includes several parts:

① Deposit (보증금)

Refundable when you move out, minus damages if any.
Smaller than Jeonse deposits, but varies widely.

② Monthly rent

Amount depends on:

• City and district
• Building age
• Interior condition
• Proximity to subway stations

③ Utility costs / maintenance fees

May include:

• Water
• Cleaning
• Building maintenance
  Electricity, gas, and heating often billed separately.

Note: Korean winters mean heating costs spike—don’t be surprised.

---

■ 6. Does the rental term need to match your visa length?

Short answer: No.

• You may rent longer than your visa
• Leaving Korea does not automatically cancel your rental
• But you must follow your contract rules

If you leave the country early:

• Penalty fees may apply
• Deposits may be partially forfeited
• Subletting is almost always prohibited

Always read:

• 계약해지 조항 (termination clause)
• 기간 (contract period)
• 보증금 반환 조건 (refund conditions)

---

■ 7. Recommended foreigner-friendly neighborhoods

Based on expat communities and my own experience:

Seoul

• Itaewon/Yongsan – international food + English-friendly
• Hongdae/Hapjeong – students, artists, nightlife
• Gangnam/Seocho – office workers, startups
• Jamsil/Songpa – families + parks

Busan

• Haeundae – beach + city life
• Seomyeon – shopping + transport hub

Jeju

• Aewol, Nohyeong, Yeon-dong
  Perfect for slower, outdoor living

---

■ 8. FAQ

Q1. Do I need an ARC to sign a contract?
A1. Helpful but not essential. Many short-term rentals accept passports.

Q2. Can I rent without a Korean bank account?
A2. Yes, although some landlords prefer bank transfer over cash/card.

Q3. Why do landlords hesitate sometimes?
A3. Language barriers, lack of guarantors, or unfamiliarity with foreign tenants.
Not personal—just logistics.

Q4. Is Jeonse totally off the table?
A4. Practically yes for short visas, unless you have long-term status + significant capital.

Q5. Can I negotiate rent?
A5. Sometimes—ask politely via agent.

---

■ 9. Summary + Quick Checklist

Can you rent on a short-term visa?

Absolutely yes — if you choose the right type.

Best options:

✔ Monthly rent
✔ Co-living
✔ Long-stay Airbnb

What to prepare:

☑ Passport
☑ Local contact number
☑ Deposit funds
☑ Understanding of contract terms

Final reminder

Korean rental culture is structured, flexible, and fast-moving.
Once you learn the basics, finding a place becomes far easier than expected.

---

■ 10. Ready to start house hunting?

If you know:

• Your preferred location,
• Your stay duration,
• Your monthly budget,

You’re already halfway there.

Start by browsing a few listings or contacting a foreigner-friendly agent.
Next month, you could be waking up in your very own Korean neighborhood.