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.
Korea Resident vs Non-Resident Tax: The 183-Day Test and What You Pay
How Korea decides whether you are a tax resident (183-day domicile or place of residence rule), what residents versus non-residents are taxed on, and the 19% flat rate option for foreign workers.
korea resident vs non resident tax — Read guideWhat's in this guide
- Korea's Income Tax Act defines a resident as anyone with a domicile or place of residence in Korea for at least 183 days; everyone else is a non-resident.
- Residents are taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Korean-source income under Article 119.
- The 183-day test is separate from the 19% flat income tax rate that foreign workers are allowed to choose for up to 20 years from their start date.
Recently updated
- Visa
What Is an F Visa in Korea? F-1 to F-6, Stay Periods and Who Qualifies
An overview of Korea's F visa family — F-1 family visitor, F-2 residence (points-based F-2-7), F-3 dependents, F-4 overseas Korean, F-5 permanent residence and F-6 marriage — with stay rules and work permission.
- Visa
F-5 Visa Korea (Permanent Residence): Requirements, Income and Language
Korea's F-5 permanent residence visa: who qualifies, the points and general routes, the income requirement around 2x per-capita GNI, language (KIIP) and criminal-record criteria, and where to apply.
- Tax
South Korea Foreign Income Tax: What Residents Pay and How Credit Works
How Korea taxes the foreign-source income of residents: worldwide taxation, the 5-year remittance basis for non-permanent residents, the foreign tax credit, and the May global income tax return.
- Tax
Does South Korea Tax Foreigners? Income Tax Rules for Expats
Yes — South Korea taxes foreigners on Korean-source income, and tax residents also pay on worldwide income. Resident rule (183 days), 2025 progressive rates, local income tax and withholding explained.
- Visa
Korea F Visa Requirements: F-2, F-4, F-5 and F-6 Explained
Requirements for Korea's family and residence visas: F-2 points-based residence (80 points), F-4 overseas Korean, F-5 permanent residence, and F-6 marriage visa, based on official immigration.go.kr and Hikorea criteria.
- Visa
Documents Required for a Korean Visa: The Checklist by Status
The documents a Korean visa application generally asks for — passport, photo, proof of purpose, financial evidence and the certificates that need apostille or translation — arranged as a checklist you can prepare before applying.
- Banking
Korea International Transfer: How to Send Money Abroad as a Foreign Resident
The practical mechanics of an international transfer from Korea — the annual limits that apply to foreign residents, the documents banks require, how a bank wire compares with transfer apps, and the mistakes that get transfers returned.
- Phone
Getting a Phone Plan in Korea Without an ARC: What Works and What Waits
What phone service you can buy in Korea before you have an alien registration card (ARC) — why prepaid is the passport-only route, why postpaid and app verification wait, and how to switch after registration.