Living in Korea, explained properly.
Visas, banking, phone plans, taxes and housing — written for people who actually have to do it, and sourced from the published criteria.
Annual Leave in Korea: How Many Days You Get and the Rules Around Using Them
Korean annual leave under the Labor Standards Act — 15 paid days after one year of service, how leave accrues in the first year, the seniority increase to 25 days, and what happens to unused leave.
korea annual leave — Read guideWhat's in this guide
- Under the Labor Standards Act, employees who have worked one year with 80%+ attendance get 15 days of paid annual leave, rising by one day every two years to a maximum of 25 days.
- In the first year of employment you accrue one paid day per month of service, up to 11 days, and unused leave generally expires after a year unless the employer failed to urge its use.
- The rules apply to foreign workers on the same terms as Korean workers, in workplaces with five or more employees.
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- Living
Taking the Korean Driving Test as a Foreigner: Written, Course and Road Stages
How to get a Korean driver's licence by taking the test from scratch — the written test (40 questions, English available), the closed-course test and the on-road test, with fees and pass scores.
- Living
T-money and Public Transport Cards in Korea: Buying, Charging and Using Them
How public transport cards like T-money work in Korea — where to buy one, how to top it up, the tap-on/tap-off rule and transfer discounts, and how refunds work for visitors.
- Living
Kakao T and Taxi Apps in Korea: Calling a Taxi and Paying as a Foreigner
How taxi apps work in Korea — Kakao T and the foreigner-focused k.ride, signing up without a Korean number, the 'pay to driver' workaround, and what to know about fares.
- Tax
Korea Inheritance Tax: Who Is Taxed, the Rates, Deductions and Filing Deadlines
Korea's inheritance tax for foreigners — what is taxed based on the deceased's residence, the 10–50% progressive rates, the deductions available, and the 6-month filing deadline.
- Living
International Schools in Korea: Eligibility Rules, Costs and the Admission Process
How international schools in Korea work for foreign residents — the Ministry of Education eligibility criteria, the tuition range, and the typical application process for schools such as Korea International School.
- Living
Working Hours in Korea: The 52-Hour Week, Overtime Pay and Your Rights as a Foreign Worker
Korea's working-hours rules under the Labor Standards Act — the 52-hour weekly cap, 40-hour standard week, 1.5x overtime and night pay, breaks, and how these apply to foreign workers.
- Living
Minimum Wage in Korea: The 2026 Rate, Who It Covers, and What to Do If You Are Underpaid
Korea's 2026 minimum wage is 10,320 won per hour and applies to every worker regardless of nationality or visa. How it is set, the monthly equivalent, and the steps to take if your pay is below the floor.
- Living
Severance Pay (퇴직금) in Korea: Who Qualifies, How It Is Calculated, and Payment Rules
Korean severance pay (퇴직금) is a statutory right for any worker with one year of continuous service, including foreign workers. How it is calculated, the 14-day payment rule, and the departure insurance that covers many foreign employees.