ENG : “Foreigners CAN Get a Korean Credit Card — Here’s Exactly How”
💳 How Foreigners Can Get a Korean Credit Card
(ARC, Bank Setup + Approval Strategy)
YES — foreigners can get a Korean credit card.
But you need the right documents and the correct application strategy.
Many foreigners are rejected because they walk into a bank and simply say:
“I want to apply for a credit card.”
The banker then replies:
“Do you have Korean credit history?”
Most foreigners don’t.
The secret is:
✅ You don’t need Korean credit history
✅ What you need is proof of income or residence stability
✅ Credit Card vs Debit Card vs Check Card
| Type | Limit | Who gets approved |
| Debit Card (체크카드) | Uses your own money | Everyone (passport or ARC) |
| Credit Card (신용카드) | Bank gives you credit line | Requires ARC + stable income |
This post is about credit cards, not debit.
✅ Requirements to Apply (All Must Be True)
| Requirement | Must Have? |
| ARC (Alien Registration Card) | ✅ |
| Korean bank account | ✅ |
| Korean phone number | ✅ |
| Korean address (registered at immigration) | ✅ |
| Proof of income (paycheck or tax doc) | ✅ for standard cards |
🔥 If you don’t have income yet → YOU STILL CAN (see Secured Card below)
🏦 Best Banks to Apply (Foreigners friendly)
| Bank | Why recommended |
| Hana Bank (하나) | Best for foreigners / English support / global cards |
| Shinhan (신한) | Flexible approval if income proof exists |
| Woori (우리) | Good for first-time credit card applicants |
📌 Go to branches located near foreigner areas (Itaewon / Hongdae / Gangnam) — more experience processing foreign applications.
✅ What documents to bring
| Document | Why |
| 🪪 ARC (front + back) | Must show expiration period |
| 🛂 Passport | ID verification |
| 📱 Korean phone number | For SMS verification |
| 🏠 Proof of address | Bills / lease contract |
| 💼 Proof of income | Payslip or 회사 재직증명서 (employment certificate) |
| 📄 Proof of tax payment (optional) | Better approval rate |
💡 Strategy: What to say to the banker
DO NOT SAY:
“I want to apply for a credit card.”
INSTEAD SAY THIS:
“I would like to apply for a secured credit card if standard credit is not possible.”
Korean phrase (show this on your phone):
“신용카드가 안 되면 보증형 카드로 신청하고 싶습니다.”
A secured card (보증형 신용카드) uses your deposit as a credit limit.
Example:
- You give ₩1,000,000 to the bank
- They issue a card with ₩1,000,000 limit
- After 6 months → you can upgrade to a normal credit card
✅ NO Korean credit score needed
✅ Almost guaranteed approval
✅ Types of cards foreigners can get
| Card Type | Requires income? | Best for |
| ⭐ Secured Credit Card (보증형 카드) | ❌ No | First credit card in Korea |
| Company-backed card (법인카드) | ✅ Yes | Foreign employees |
| University-affiliated card | ❌ Sometimes | Students (limited benefits) |
🧠 How to increase your approval chance
| Tip | Reason |
| Use your bank account regularly for salary deposits | Shows income stability |
| Pay bills with your debit card for 2–3 months | Creates transaction history |
| Avoid applying to multiple banks in one week | Each rejection lowers approval chance |
| Apply after payday | Higher balance = stronger application |
🗣 What to say (English → Korean)
| Situation | English | Korean |
| Applying for standard credit | “I would like to apply for a credit card.” | 신용카드 발급 신청하고 싶습니다. |
| If rejected | “Can I apply for a secured card?” | 보증형 카드로 신청할 수 있을까요? |
| Need to show income | “Here is proof of my employment and salary.” | 재직증명서와 급여명세서입니다. |
✅ Credit Card Application Checklist
| Required | Status |
| ARC ready | ☐ |
| Korean bank account | ☐ |
| Phone number active | ☐ |
| Proof of address | ☐ |
| Proof of employment OR deposit (secured card) | ☐ |
⚠️ Warning: 3 reasons foreigners get rejected
| Reason | Explanation |
| Short visa validity | If visa expires soon, banks reject |
| No income history | Banks can’t evaluate credit risk |
| Applying for too many cards | Looks suspicious in credit system |
✅ Secured card solves this problem.
🧾 After approval — do these 3 things
| Task | Purpose |
| Register card in Samsung/Apple Pay | Contactless payment everywhere |
| Add card to your bank app | Auto-pay + statement check |
| Use the card for small payments | Builds Korean credit score |
🔑 Final Summary
- Foreigners CAN get credit cards in Korea
- ARC + phone number + Korean bank account are required
- No income? → Apply for secured credit card (보증형 카드)
Once approved, your Korean credit score starts building.