Opening an account is the step that unblocks everything else — a phone contract, your salary, rent transfers, card payments. Here is what the branch will actually ask for.
Which bank, and one name to stop looking for
- Hana Bank — strong English service and global desks aimed at foreign customers. Note that Korea Exchange Bank (외환은행) merged into Hana Bank in 2015 and the transitional KEB Hana brand was retired in 2021, so they are not three banks or two — ask for Hana Bank.
- Shinhan Bank — good mobile app with an English interface.
- Woori Bank and KB Kookmin Bank — the widest branch networks, with foreign-customer desks at the larger branches.
- Kakao Bank and Toss Bank — app-only, convenient once you have an alien registration card and a Korean phone number in your own name.
- Citibank Korea has exited retail banking, so it is not an option for a personal account.
What to bring
- Passport
- Alien registration card (ARC)
- Proof of address — a lease contract or a utility bill
- A Korean phone number registered in your own name
- Something showing why you need the account — an employment contract, a certificate of enrolment, or an employment certificate
What to expect at the counter
- Most banks want the alien registration card before opening a full account. If you have only just arrived and are waiting for it, ask specifically about a limited-purpose or restricted account, which some banks open with a passport and then upgrade.
- New accounts are commonly opened with daily transfer limits under anti-fraud rules. Ask what your limits are and what evidence lifts them, so it is not a surprise on your first rent payment.
- Internet and mobile banking registration, and a security certificate, may need a separate step. Do it while you are at the branch.
- Bring the documents in physical form. A photo on your phone is often refused.
Practical tips
- Branches near a university campus or in Itaewon, Gangnam and central business districts are the most used to foreign customers.
- Go on a weekday morning. Counters close at 4pm.
- If English support matters, call ahead and ask whether a global desk is staffed that day — availability is by branch, not by bank.
Last verified: 2026-09-28