About Korea

Banking

Banking in Korea is very simple, and sending money home each month is not difficult. To open an account, all you'll need is your passport and alien registration card, which you will get from the immigration office in Korea shortly after your arrival.  If there isn't anyone in the bank who can speak English, your employer will help you set up an account.

To process a wire bank transfer, you will need your passport, alien registration card, the bank account number where you want the money sent, the bank's address, and the bank's SWIFT code.  To avoid paying too many transfer fees, we suggest saving up for a few months and sending home a large lump sum instead of wiring money home after each payday. 

You can also use your ATM card from home, as long as your card is linked to the PLUS or CIRRUS networks.  In rural areas and smaller cities it can be a bit more difficult to find ATM machines with the PLUS/ CIRRUS service.  You're more likely to find one of those machines at the main bus or train station rather than at the mini-mart.