Your first two weeks in Korea, in the right order: Residence Card to KakaoTalk
The first two weeks in Korea run in a fixed order because each step unlocks the next: a prepaid SIM and KakaoTalk get you reachable, the Residence Card (the old ARC) makes you a resident, that card opens a proper bank account and check card, and those give you a phone contract and the apps everything else runs on.
Park English2026-09-253 min read
Nothing here is difficult. It is just sequential, and nobody hands you the sequence, so people try to get a phone contract on day two, fail, and decide Korea is impossible.
It isn't. It's a queue.
The order
1. Before you fly: install KakaoTalk, Naver Map and Kakao T. Register them with your home number. Your school will probably message you on KakaoTalk before you land. More on why KakaoTalk matters and why Naver Map, not Google Maps.
2. At the airport: a prepaid SIM. Buy one on arrival. A contract comes later.
3. Week one: apply for the Residence Card. It's still widely called the ARC. Anyone staying longer than 90 days has to register within 90 days of entry. You book a slot through HiKorea and go to your local immigration office, usually with someone from your school. The card takes a few weeks to arrive, so plan for that gap.
4. Open a bank account and get a check card. With the card in hand this is straightforward; a few banks will open a limited account on a passport earlier. Ask for a check card (체크카드) linked to the account. That card number is what you'll register in taxi, delivery and shopping apps, so it's worth getting on the same visit.
5. Get a phone contract. Contract plans generally need the Residence Card and a Korean bank account. Once you have a Korean number, switch KakaoTalk to it in the settings.
6. Health insurance. Enrolment is part of a standard full-time contract and is handled with your employer. Ask your school when it starts.
The apps and cards that make daily life work
| What | Why | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| KakaoTalk | Work chats, landlords, shops | KakaoTalk in week one |
| Naver Map or KakaoMap | Walking and bus directions | Maps in Korea |
| Kakao T | Taxis | Taxis and paying the driver |
| Clinic visit | What to bring, what you pay before and after health insurance starts | When you get sick |
| T-money card | Buses, subway, many taxis | T-money and transfers |
What to bring for the gap
The gap between landing and having a working Korean card is the part that catches people.
- Cash or a card that works abroad, enough for two to four weeks of food and transport.
- Passport photos. More than you think.
- Copies of your degree and contract, paper and digital.
If something goes wrong
The most common first-month problems are an apartment issue, a schedule that doesn't match what you agreed, or a paperwork delay. All three are easier to sort out in week one than in month three, and easier when someone raises them with you.
That's what a placement agency is for after arrival, not just before it. Teachers who came through Park English can ask us to take something to the school rather than raising it alone in their first fortnight. If you're still looking, browse the job board or register with us.