Things to know for moving to South Korea

A lot of people want to move to South Korea whether it is a new job opportunity or just to have a different way of life. However, some people don’t know exactly what their heading in for so here is some general things to know about South Korea.

1. The official language is Korean

Korean is a language that is spoken by 80 million people in the world. The Korean alphabet was created by King Sejong which is called Hangul. You will see it all over South Korea, so its best to learn the language now before you move there.

2. The official currency for South Korea is Won.

The South Korean won is the official currency of the Korean Republic. The Symbol for won is: ₩ and a single won are divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and it appears only in foreign exchange rates. The currency is issued by the Bank of Korea, based in the capital city of Seoul.

3. You’ll need a working visa.

If you want to work in South Korea you will need a working visa. However, you’ll first need to secure a job because only an employer is allowed to apply for the visa on your behalf. If the authorities have approved the application, they will send an acceptance letter to you. Then you’ll have to head down to the Korean Embassy in your home country to get the visa officially issued.

4. Only buy or rent an apartment after you moved to South Korea.

Korea has a unique rental system that requires you to put down a deposit called jeonse (key money). This amount can be anywhere from 50-80% of the property’s value. After that, you are able to stay in the property throughout the lease agreement without paying monthly rent.

Although, this system is usually only applied to locals and landlords tend to use the wolse system when it comes to foreigners. That system asks for tenants to put down a smaller sum of deposit – but still adds up to a year or two of rent. On top of paying monthly rent, the deposit will be returned in full if there are no damages to the property at the end of your tenancy.

5. Don’t forget your foreign registration card.

After getting your visa confirmation, you’ll need to apply for a foreigner pass called the Alien Registration Card (ARC).

This is crucial for those who are staying in the country for more than 90 days because it allows you to travel out of the country as many times as you wish during the validity of your visa. Obtaining an ARC is easy, you have set up an online booking system to help move the process. Remember to make an appointment, even more so during peak periods like the start of a new school semester in February or August.

Link:https://thesmartlocal.com/korea/moving-korea-guide/