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Compare carriers for Thailand residents in Korea. Contracts, QoS and more explained in your language.
Get my plan recommendation →Eligible carriers by visa type
An Alien Registration Card (ARC) is required for a full subscription
| Visa | Eligible |
|---|---|
| D-2 | D-2 (Student) All MVNOs available |
| E-9 | E-9 (Non-professional employment) All MVNOs available |
| E-7 | E-7 (Designated activities) All MVNOs available |
| H-2 | H-2 (Working visit) Select carriers only |
Getting your first SIM in Korea
- 1
Day 0 — Arrival
At the airport choose a short-term prepaid SIM, eSIM or roaming. Full sign-up requires an ARC.
- 2
Day 1-N — Temporary service
Use a prepaid SIM (KT Olleh, SKT Mobile Charge) or short-term eSIM (10/30-day plans) until your ARC arrives.
- 3
ARC issuance (~30–90 days)
Timeline varies by visa type. Until issued, only prepaid / eSIM plans are available.
- 4
Official sign-up via selpl after ARC
PASS identity verification → carrier subscription.
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Frequently asked questions from Thailand 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. You can also buy a short-term eSIM (Airalo, Saily) before you leave Thailand. Full MVNO plan sign-up is only possible after your ARC is issued.
Can I bring my Thai phone and use it directly in Korea?
Unlocked iPhones and Galaxy devices bought in Thailand generally work fine in Korea. Check that your device supports Korean LTE/5G bands (B1/B3/B7/N78) and eSIM if you plan to use one. Carrier-locked phones should be unlocked before departure.
Are there any carriers I can sign up with before getting an ARC?
No Korean MVNO allows a full subscription without an ARC. Until your ARC arrives, prepaid SIMs and short-term eSIMs (10- or 30-day) are your only options. Both are widely available at airports and convenience stores.
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, so check the terms before signing. Notify your carrier in advance to avoid unwanted charges after you leave.
How can I call family in Thailand cheaply?
Most Korean MVNOs block international voice calls by default. Use LINE, KakaoTalk, or WhatsApp voice/video calls over Wi-Fi or data instead — these are effectively free. If you need actual phone calls, check your MVNO's international add-on rates first.
AIS/True Korea roaming vs signing up for a Korean MVNO plan — which is better?
Thai carrier roaming is convenient for short visits (1–2 weeks) but expensive, often 200–400 THB per day. For stays longer than two weeks, a Korean MVNO is significantly cheaper and gives you full local speeds. Factor in your ARC timeline when deciding.
Tips for using LINE in Korea while saving data?
LINE works normally on all Korean MVNOs. Enable Wi-Fi Calling in LINE settings so calls are free whenever you're on Wi-Fi. Turn on Data Saver (Settings > Privacy > Data Saver) to cut background data usage. Downloading sticker packs and media over Wi-Fi only also helps.