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Save 57,000원/mo switching to a Korean MVNO

Average home plan 70,000원 → Korean MVNO 13,000원. Compare and find your plan in 5 languages.

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Carrier eligibility by visa type

An Alien Registration Card (ARC) is required for a full postpaid plan

VisaEligible
D-2
D-2 (Student)
All MVNOs available
E-7
E-7 (Designated activities)
All MVNOs available
E-2
E-2 (Language instructor)
All MVNOs available
F-4
F-4 (Overseas Korean)
All MVNOs available

Getting your first SIM in Korea

  1. 1

    Day 0 — Arrival

    At the airport, pick up a short-term prepaid SIM, eSIM, or activate roaming. A full postpaid plan requires an ARC.

  2. 2

    Days 1–N — Temporary service

    Use a prepaid SIM (KT Olleh, SKT Mobile Charge) or a short-term eSIM (10- or 30-day) while waiting for your ARC.

  3. 3

    ARC issuance (~30–90 days)

    Timeline varies by visa type. Prepaid SIM and eSIM are your only options until the card is issued.

  4. 4

    Full sign-up via selpl once your ARC arrives

    PASS identity verification → choose a carrier and plan.

View the PASS multilingual guide →

Recommended for Usa users

Plans most often chosen by Usa residents in Korea

LG Hello Mobile
LG Hello Mobile·LG·LTE

DATA 걱정없는 유심 1GBDATA Worry-free USIM 1GB

₩12,900/mo
  • Unlimited calls & texts
  • 1GB + 1Mbps
  • No contract
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LG Hello Mobile
LG Hello Mobile·LG·LTE

DATA 걱정없는 유심 5GBDATA Worry-free USIM 5GB

₩17,500/mo
  • Unlimited calls & texts
  • 5GB + 1Mbps
  • No contract
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SK Telecom
SK Telecom·SK·5G

라이트 49Lite 49

₩20,000/mo
  • Unlimited calls & texts
  • 11GB + 400Kbps
  • 1-year term
View details →
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Frequently asked questions from Usa users

How do I get a SIM card in my first week in Korea?▾

Incheon and Gimhae airports both have KT/SKT prepaid SIM counters offering 15–30 day plans. Alternatively, buy a short-term eSIM (Airalo, Saily) before departure. You can only sign up for a full MVNO plan after your ARC arrives.

Can I use my US phone in Korea?▾

Unlocked iPhones and Galaxy devices generally work fine. Check that your device supports Korean LTE/5G bands (B1/B3/B7/N78). Most US carrier-locked phones need to be unlocked before use.

Are there any carriers I can join without an ARC?▾

No Korean MVNO allows full sign-up without an ARC. Until yours is issued, prepaid SIMs and short-term eSIMs (10/30-day) are the only options.

What happens to my plan when my visa expires?▾

No-commitment plans can be cancelled any time with no penalty. Fixed-term contracts (12/24 months) carry early-termination fees. Notify your carrier in advance to avoid unwanted charges.

How much does it cost to call family back in the US?▾

Most MVNOs block international calls by default. Use FaceTime, iMessage, or KakaoTalk over Wi-Fi or data instead — effectively free.

T-Mobile/AT&T roaming vs signing up for a Korean MVNO — which is better?▾

US carrier roaming is convenient for short trips (1–2 weeks) but expensive ($10–15/day). For stays longer than two weeks, a Korean MVNO is significantly cheaper and offers full local speeds.

Do iMessage and FaceTime work normally in Korea?▾

Yes, iMessage and FaceTime work on any Korean SIM or eSIM with a data plan. Wi-Fi calling and iMessage over Wi-Fi also work without issues. No configuration changes needed.

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