How long does it take to move to South Korea?

There's no fixed number of days - it depends on appointment availability and how much paperwork you're bringing. The guide breaks the move into 5 stages (Before you leave, First days in Korea, Settling in, If you're bringing children, Longer-term and property) covering 17 individual steps, so you know what's next instead of guessing.

What catches people out when moving to South Korea?

If you're entering on a long-term visa and will stay over 90 days, you must register as a foreigner and get your ARC within 90 days of entry. Appointment slots at busy offices (especially Seoul) can book out weeks ahead - reserve your Hi Korea appointment as soon as you land.

How much of the South Korea guide can I see for free?

The first three steps of your route are free to preview, no account needed. The full route - every step, what to bring, the cost and the official source - unlocks with one payment once you've picked where you're moving from.

Settle Steps / Moving to South Korea

Moving to South Korea, step by step

17 steps for your move to South Korea - which office, what to bring, what it costs and how long it takes - checked against official sources where an official answer exists, and marked clearly where it depends on your situation instead.

See the free preview for South Korea

How the move breaks down

1
Before you leave
Pick the right visa route and get paperwork in order.
4 steps
2
First days in Korea
Entry, registration and the clock on your 90-day deadline.
2 steps
3
Settling in
Bank account, phone, health insurance, pension.
5 steps
4
If you're bringing children
School enrollment and choosing a system.
2 steps
5
Longer-term and property
Staying on, working, buying.
4 steps

5 of the 17 steps are checked against an official source, with the date it was checked. The rest depend on your own circumstances, or are practical guidance no authority publishes - each step says which.

If you get stuck in South Korea

112 Police
119 Fire / ambulance
1345 Immigration Contact Center (Hi Korea)
1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)
1355 National Pension Service (NPS)

Things people don't expect about moving to South Korea

Missing the 90-day Alien Registration Card deadline
If you're entering on a long-term visa and will stay over 90 days, you must register as a foreigner and get your ARC within 90 days of entry. Appointment slots at busy offices (especially Seoul) can book out weeks ahead - reserve your Hi Korea appointment as soon as you land.
The phone-number / bank-account catch-22
Postpaid phone plans and most banks want your ARC before opening a full account, but you often need a working Korean number to book immigration appointments. Break the loop with a short-term prepaid tourist SIM or eSIM (passport only) to get through your first weeks.

Questions people ask about moving to South Korea

How long does it take to move to South Korea?
There's no fixed number of days - it depends on appointment availability and how much paperwork you're bringing. The guide breaks the move into 5 stages (Before you leave, First days in Korea, Settling in, If you're bringing children, Longer-term and property) covering 17 individual steps, so you know what's next instead of guessing.
What catches people out when moving to South Korea?
If you're entering on a long-term visa and will stay over 90 days, you must register as a foreigner and get your ARC within 90 days of entry. Appointment slots at busy offices (especially Seoul) can book out weeks ahead - reserve your Hi Korea appointment as soon as you land.
How much of the South Korea guide can I see for free?
The first three steps of your route are free to preview, no account needed. The full route - every step, what to bring, the cost and the official source - unlocks with one payment once you've picked where you're moving from.

Moving to South Korea from an EU country, or from outside the EU

The steps differ depending on where you're moving from. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens generally register locally with no visa required; moving from outside the EU usually means a visa or residence permit arranged before you travel. Pick your own country on the guide and you'll only see the steps that actually apply to you - not a generic list for everyone.

Get the full guide

Pick where you're leaving from on the main guide, and the first three steps are free. The full route for South Korea - every step, what to bring, the cost, the timing and the source - unlocks with one payment, on the page itself.

Choose your route to South Korea

Moving to South Korea, step by step

How the move breaks down

Before you leave

First days in Korea

Settling in

If you're bringing children

Longer-term and property