What is the best mobile phone plan for foreigners in Korea?
Just arrived in Korea on an E-7 visa. Need a phone plan ASAP.
Requirements:
- Unlimited data (or at least 10GB+)
- Can sign up without long history in Korea
- Reasonable price (under 50,000 KRW/month)
- International calls would be nice but not essential
I heard about KT, SKT, and LG U+. Also saw some MVNOs. Which is the best value?
3 Answers
Welcome to Korea! Let me share the best options for phone plans.
For the best value, you'll want to look at MVNOs (알뜰폰), which use the same networks as the big carriers but at much lower prices. Chingu Mobile (한국알뜰통신) is specifically designed for foreigners with English support and no credit check needed. Their plans range from 19,900 KRW for 5GB to 33,000 KRW for unlimited data. KT M Mobile is another great option at around 22,000 KRW per month for 11GB, running on the KT network which has excellent coverage. U+ 알뜰모바일 offers an unlimited data plan (throttled to 3Mbps after the cap) for 29,900 KRW per month.
If you prefer a major carrier with faster speeds and more perks, KT, SKT, and LG U+ all offer foreigner plans, but expect to pay 50,000-70,000+ KRW per month. The advantage is better customer service and priority network speeds, but honestly the MVNOs use the exact same towers, so coverage is identical.
To sign up, you'll need your ARC (Alien Registration Card) and passport. You can visit any carrier store or, for Chingu Mobile, sign up online in English. One tip: if you're near a university area, there are often small phone shops that specialize in helping foreigners and can walk you through the whole process.
I would add that if you just arrived and don't have an ARC yet, you can grab a prepaid SIM right at Incheon Airport. They're available at the convenience stores in the arrivals area and cost about 30,000-55,000 KRW for 30 days. You only need your passport, no ARC required, and you can choose between data-only or data plus calls. The main brands to look for are EG SIM, Korea SIM, and SIM2Fly.
This is a great way to stay connected while waiting for your ARC, which usually takes 2-3 weeks to process.
One correction about MVNOs: be careful with the "unlimited" plans. Most MVNOs throttle your speed after a certain data cap (usually to 1-3 Mbps). It is still usable for messaging and basic browsing, but streaming will be slow.
If you watch a lot of YouTube/Netflix, I recommend paying a bit more for a major carrier unlimited plan. The difference in real-world experience is noticeable.