Last updated 2024.03.22
Phone Set-up
Until you receive your Residence Card, options regarding phone set-up are more limited. SIM cards may be purchased from multiple companies, but they are usually from one of Korea's three main cellphone service providers:
It is possible to get a SIM card before getting your Residence Card. However, you will likely not be able to use the phone number provided through such a SIM card for personal authentication (e.g., necessary when registering for certain phone apps).
Below are a few services grantees may wish to explore when setting up phone service.
DISCLAIMER: Inclusion of information about a particular phone company/service is not an endorsement of said service by KAEC/Fulbright Korea. This information is provided for reference as an initial jumping off point for grantees. Information is from a combination of web and grantee sources.
- KT Olleh
- LG U+
- SK Telecom
It is possible to get a SIM card before getting your Residence Card. However, you will likely not be able to use the phone number provided through such a SIM card for personal authentication (e.g., necessary when registering for certain phone apps).
Below are a few services grantees may wish to explore when setting up phone service.
DISCLAIMER: Inclusion of information about a particular phone company/service is not an endorsement of said service by KAEC/Fulbright Korea. This information is provided for reference as an initial jumping off point for grantees. Information is from a combination of web and grantee sources.
Before Residence Card (Options presented in alphabetical order)
Itaewon KT Branch Store (other branch stores in districts with a large foreign population): A PY2018 grantee reported that they were able to get a SIM card from the Itaewon KT branch, where they are used to dealing with foreigners and providing plans linked to passports. However, they noted that the plan had to be renewed every 90 days and the plan could not be renewed at all branches.
Koreainfo: One company that offers prepaid SIM cards without a Residence Card is Koreainfo (koreainfo.kr). SIM cards from Koreainfo are through KT Olleh or LG U+. Prepaid SIMs can be purchased for call & data or data only. You can also purchase a rechargeable SIM card. Koreainfo additionally offers mobile WiFi routers/Wifi eggs and smartphone rental.
After you receive your Residence Card, you can purchase a postpaid plan instead, if you wish. Most plans are contract free. Koreainfo is English-friendly.
After you receive your Residence Card, you can purchase a postpaid plan instead, if you wish. Most plans are contract free. Koreainfo is English-friendly.
Woori Mobile Service: Another company which offers prepaid SIM cards without a Residence Card is Woori Mobile Service in Korea (https://www.woorimobile.kr/). SIM cards from Woori can be delivered to you.
After you receive your Residence Card, you can purchase a postpaid plan, if you wish. If using a postpaid plan, you must use the SIM card for at least 6 months before you can cancel your plan. If you cancel, you have to pay the price of the remaining months as a fee. However, initial plan prices can be quite low, so you may wish to explore Woori Mobile Service as an option. Woori Mobile also offers prepaid WiFi service. Woori Mobile Service is English-friendly.
After you receive your Residence Card, you can purchase a postpaid plan, if you wish. If using a postpaid plan, you must use the SIM card for at least 6 months before you can cancel your plan. If you cancel, you have to pay the price of the remaining months as a fee. However, initial plan prices can be quite low, so you may wish to explore Woori Mobile Service as an option. Woori Mobile also offers prepaid WiFi service. Woori Mobile Service is English-friendly.
After Residence Card (Options presented in alphabetical order)
All of the options listed above: The same companies listed above offer postpaid plans that you can purchase after receiving your Residence Card. You need your Residence Card linked to your phone number in order to use it for personal authentication.
freeT: freeT Prepaid Phone offers Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service through SK, KT, and LG U+
freeT prepaid plans can be recharged in convenience stores and at certain ATMs.
freeT prepaid plans can be recharged in convenience stores and at certain ATMs.
KT Prepaid USIM: After receiving your Residence Card, you can purchase a KT prepaid USIM which can then be charged in several ways (https://www.ktmmobile.com/usim/usimPrePaid.do). USIMs can be purchased through the KT Shop for direct delivery to you. KT has many local hotspots for free data use, and once the USIM has been purchased and set up, it can be recharged through several different means.