Important Information

This page compiles key information every Indian student or researcher in Korea should know. Bookmark this page for quick reference.

Arriving in Korea

Before You Leave India

• Visa — Apply for a student (D-2) or researcher (E-3/D-10) visa at the Korean Embassy/Consulate in India well in advance
• Alien Registration Card (ARC) — Must be applied for within 90 days of arrival at the local immigration office
• Medical Insurance — All students must enroll in Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS)
• Bank Account — Open a Korean bank account (Woori, Shinhan, KB Kookmin are common choices)

First Days in Korea

1. Register with your university’s international student office
2. Apply for Alien Registration Card (ARC) at the local Immigration Office
3. Enroll in National Health Insurance if not already covered by university
4. Get a Korean SIM card (KT, SKT, or LG U+)
5. Open a Korean bank account
6. Join ISRK — register at isrk.association@gmail.com

Visa & Immigration

Useful Visa Types for Indians in Korea

Key Immigration Contacts

• Hi Korea (Immigration Portal): www.hikorea.go.kr
• Immigration Contact Center: 1345 (available in English)
• Korea Immigration Service: www.immigration.go.kr

Indian Embassy in Korea

Consular Services

• Passport renewal and new passport issuance
• OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card applications
• Emergency travel documents
• Attestation of documents
• Visa services for travel to India

Health & Medical

National Health Insurance (NHIS)

All international students are enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance System. This covers:

• General hospital visits (20-30% co-pay)
• Prescription medicines
• Emergency care

Finding Doctors & Hospitals

• Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital, Asan Medical Center — Major hospitals with international patient departments
• Naver Maps — Search “병원” (hospital) or “내과” (internal medicine) near you
• 1339 — Emergency medical helpline available 24/7

Mental Health

Adjusting to life in a new country can be challenging. Resources available:

• University counseling centers (most offer English services)
• Mind Spa (마음이음): Online counseling in English
• ISRK community support — reach out to us anytime

Banking & Finance

Recommended Banks

• Woori Bank — Friendly to international students, many English-speaking branches
• Shinhan Bank — Good mobile banking app in English
• KB Kookmin Bank — Widely available ATMs
• KakaoBank — Online bank, convenient for everyday use

Sending Money to India

• SENTBE — ISRK partner, competitive rates for India remittances
• Wise (formerly TransferWise) — Low fees for international transfers
• Western Union — Available at many locations
• Bank wire transfer — Available at all Korean banks (higher fees)

Accommodation

Types of Housing

• Dormitory (기숙사) — Most universities offer on-campus dorms; apply early as spots fill fast
• Gosiwon (고시원) — Small private rooms, affordable, all utilities included
• Officetel (오피스텔) — Studio apartments, good for those wanting more space
• Share House — Shared accommodation with other students

Housing Search Apps

• Zigbang (직방) — Major rental app in Korea
• Dabang (다방) — Another popular rental platform
• Naver Real Estate — Listings across Korea
• University International Student Office — Often maintains a list of off-campus housing options

Transportation

• T-Money Card — Rechargeable transit card for buses and subway in all major cities
• KTX — Korea’s high-speed train connecting major cities
• Kakao T — Taxi booking app (has English interface)
• Naver Maps — Best navigation app for public transit in Korea

Learning Korean

• TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) — Official Korean language proficiency test recognized by employers and universities
• KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program) — Free Korean language and culture courses for foreign residents
• University Korean Language Institutes — Most major universities offer Korean language programs
• Apps: Duolingo, Pimsleur, Talk to Me in Korean (TTMIK)

Emergency Contacts in Korea