How to Get a Korean Phone Number as a Foreigner | 2025
Why You Need a Korean Number
If you’re staying in Korea, having a local number isn’t optional — it’s essential.
You’ll need it to:
✅ Sign up for food delivery apps (Baemin, Yogiyo)
✅ Open a Korean bank account
✅ Receive verification codes for online shopping (Coupang, Gmarket)
✅ Use services like KakaoTalk or KakaoTaxi
✅ Register for memberships, apps, and even health services
Without a Korean number, most apps and services simply won’t work. 🙅
SIM vs. eSIM vs. Plan – What’s Right for You?
Prepaid SIM Card
✅ Great for short-term stays
✅ No ARC required
💳 Easy payment (credit card or cash)
📦 Available online or at the airport
eSIM (Digital SIM)
📱 Requires an eSIM-compatible device
💨 Fast setup with QR code
🔄 Ideal for digital nomads and tech-savvy users
🔌 No physical SIM needed
Postpaid Contract Plan
❗ Requires ARC + Korean bank account
🔁 Long-term commitment (usually 1–2 years)
📉 Lower rates, more benefits
🧾 Good for students or long-term residents
What Documents Do You Need?
Requirement
With ARC ✅
Without ARC ❌
Passport
✅
✅
Korean Address
✅
✅
Korean Bank Account
Often
Not required
ARC (Alien Registration)
✅
❌
👉 To receive your SIM (physical or eSIM QR code), you must have a Korean address.
👉 If you don’t have an address, you can receive it at your StayKorea accommodation address!
Where to Buy a SIM (Top Sites for Foreigners)
Here are some trusted providers where foreigners can easily buy SIMs online — no ARC required:
- Foreigners welcome
SIM & eSIM available
Airport pickup or delivery to your stay
English support ✅
Wide selection of plans
Accepts international cards
Great for eSIM activation
Available at Incheon Airport
English-friendly
Popular with tourists & students
👉 When placing an order through the website, you must enter a shipping address within Korea.
👉 Need an address? StayKorea has you covered!
No Korean Address? Here’s the Fix
Most foreigners don’t have a delivery address when they first arrive.
That’s where StayKorea becomes your best friend. 💁
By booking a StayKorea room, you get:
✔️ A verified Korean address
✔️ A place where SIM cards or eSIM QR codes can be delivered
✔️ An address usable for identity verification (KakaoTalk, banking, etc.)
✔️ Helpful English-speaking hosts
How StayKorea Helps (Without Selling SIMs)
We don’t sell SIM cards or mobile plans directly,
but we support everything around the process so you can get set up with less stress.
Here’s how we help:
🏠 Provide housing with delivery-ready Korean addresses
📦 Allow you to receive SIM cards before or after check-in
🧾 Use your stay as your official address for identity verification
🧠 Offer helpful blog guides like this
💬 Support you through live chat: staykorea.channel.io
We’re not a telecom provider — we’re your onboarding partner in Korea.
🔗 Useful Links & Resources
Why Foreigners Choose StayKorea
Even though we don’t sell SIMs, we provide the key environment you need to use one successfully in Korea.
✅ SIM delivery address
✅ Short-term housing for foreigners
✅ Supportive, English-speaking hosts
✅ Practical info for settling in
✅ Trust built from helping 3000+ foreigners since 2024
📦 Book your room → Receive your SIM → Set up your phone → Start life in Korea smoothly
Get your phone number + housing + peace of mind — without the hassle.
👉 Start your Korea life right with StayKorea.
Looking for accommodation in Seoul?
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