Get a mobile phone plan in Korea 휴대전화 개통 (후불/선불)

Your timeline

Tap a point to jump to that step.

Step by step

Tick each item as you finish it. Your progress is saved on this device.

1. 1

   Get a prepaid line (선불)

   You do thisRight after you arrive

   Prepaid means you pay first and top up when the balance is low. Foreigners can sign up with an unexpired passport at SK Telecom, and KT says prepaid lines can be opened with a standard passport. There is no monthly contract.

   • Bring your passport to a SKT or KT store
   • Say you want a prepaid plan (선불)
   • Ask how to top up your balance and what the end date is

   !A passport-only prepaid line at KT lasts 90 days from activation. At SK Telecom, you cannot top up after your permitted stay ends, but you can extend 3 months by showing your passport at a store. Foreigners can have only 1 prepaid line at SK Telecom, and KT allows 1 prepaid and 1 postpaid line per person.

   Mark this step as doneKT Global Shop: What You'll Need ↗
2. 2

   Open a postpaid plan (후불)

   You do thisAfter you get your Residence Card

   Postpaid means you use the phone and pay a monthly bill. KT lists the Residence Card (or permanent resident card) as the ID. KT needs at least 90 days left on your visa. Bills are paid by auto-debit from a Korean bank account or credit card.

   • Bring your Residence Card and passport
   • Bring your Korean bank account or credit card details for auto-pay
   • Choose a plan. Some plans are only for long-term residents with a Residence Card
   • Ask about buying the phone in full or in installments

   !Installment phone purchases have extra checks. Ask the store about eligibility. If you cannot pay the bill, the carrier can suspend or end your line.

   Mark this step as doneKT Global Shop: foreigner plans ↗
3. 3

   Protect your name with Msafer (명의도용방지서비스)

   You do thisRight after you open a line

   Msafer is a free service run by the Korea Association of Information and Telecommunication (KAIT) under the Telecommunications Business Act. When a new line is opened in your name, the carrier sends a text to your phone. You can look up all lines under your name, and you can block new lines. You do not need to apply for the text alert.

   • Read every Msafer or carrier text about a new line. A real Msafer text has no web link
   • If a line is not yours, check msafer.or.kr and call the carrier to report identity theft and cancel it
   • Use the lookup (가입사실현황조회) to see all lines in your name
   • Use the block (가입제한) so no one can open a new line in your name

   !You can only apply for lookup or block yourself, on the Msafer website with a digital certificate, or in person at a carrier store with your ID. Not by phone or email. From 20 Nov 2026 the notice says a subscription block will be on by default for new mobile activations. Check Msafer for the latest rules.

   Mark this step as doneMsafer: how to use ↗
4. 4

   Cancel your line when you leave

   You do thisBefore you leave Korea

   Using a phone line under another person's name is not allowed in Korea, and the account holder is legally responsible for all use. Do not give or lend your phone or line to anyone. KT says cancellation must be done in person at a store.

   • Pay any unpaid bills
   • Visit the store to cancel the line
   • For prepaid, ask what happens to your remaining balance

   !Never sell or lend your SIM or number. The registered holder is responsible.

   Mark this step as done

Documents checklist

Tick each document as you get it. Your list is saved on this device.

0 of 5 documents ready

• Passport (unexpired) for prepaidYou
• Residence Card (외국인등록증) or permanent resident card, for postpaidImmigration office
• Korean bank account or credit card for auto-pay (postpaid)Your bank or card issuer
• Extra papers for some visa types or plans (for example a visa issuance confirmation at some stores)Check with the carrier
• Under 19: a legal representative must come with a government-issued IDCarrier store

Who to call

Tap to call.

More guides