Korea Phone Plans for Foreigners SIM · eSIM · MVNO · 2026
Find the right Korean SIM in 30 seconds. Filter by your stay length, ARC status, and data needs — see KT, SKT, LG U+, MVNO (알뜰폰), and eSIM options side-by-side.
Plan categories explained
Major carriers (대형 통신사)
KT (Korea Telecom), SKT (SK Telecom), and LG U+ run their own nationwide networks. Postpaid plans require ARC + Korean bank account; pricing is premium (₩50,000-₩100,000/month). Their roaming subsidiaries (KT M Mobile, SK Roaming) sell prepaid SIMs at airports for tourists — passport only, English support.
MVNO (알뜰폰, "alddl-pon")
Budget resellers running on the big-3 networks (so identical coverage). Examples: KT M Mobile (KT network), SK 7Mobile (SKT), LG Hello Mobile (LG U+), Chingu Mobile, EG Mobile, U+알뜰모바일. Costs 30-60% less than the big 3 for the same data and speed. Some require ARC, some accept passport for prepaid tiers.
eSIM (no physical card)
Buy online before you land, scan QR, connected at arrival. Airalo, Saily, Holafly, Yesim, Nomad. Best for short stays (under 30 days) or as backup. Requires eSIM-compatible phone (iPhone XS+, Galaxy S20+, Pixel 3+).
Airport SIM kiosks
Incheon (ICN) Terminal 1 & 2, Gimhae (PUS), Jeju (CJU). KT and SKT roaming desks sell prepaid passport-only SIMs from ₩30,000 (5 days) to ₩70,000 (30 days). Convenient but slightly more expensive than buying online or downtown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ARC (Alien Registration Card) to get a Korean SIM?
It depends on the carrier. Major carriers (KT, SKT, LG U+) postpaid plans require an ARC and a Korean bank account. Prepaid plans from KT M Mobile, SK 7Mobile, EG Mobile, and Chingu Mobile let you use just your passport for short-term stays — these are the standard tourist option. Long-term MVNO (알뜰폰) plans usually require ARC for postpaid pricing but most have prepaid tiers that work with passport only. eSIM providers (Airalo, Saily, Holafly) require nothing — just buy online before you land.
What's the cheapest plan for a 1-year stay (E-7, F-2, D-7 visa)?
MVNO (알뜰폰, 'budget telecom') resellers run on the big 3 networks but cost 30-60% less. For long-term residents with ARC: KT M Mobile, SK 7Mobile, LG Hello Mobile typically offer 11GB-100GB plans for ₩20,000-₩40,000/month. Some MVNOs (Chingu Mobile, EG Mobile) target English-speaking foreigners with prepaid options that don't need ARC. Avoid postpaid contracts from the big 3 (KT/SKT/LG U+) unless you specifically need 5G premium speeds — they're 2-3x the price for the same data.
Should I use eSIM or buy a SIM at the airport?
eSIM (Airalo, Saily, Holafly) is the easiest if your phone supports it (iPhone XS+, Galaxy S20+, Pixel 3+) — buy online, scan QR, connected the moment you land. Costs about $15-30 for 5-15GB over 7-30 days. Airport SIM kiosks (KT roaming, SKT roaming) at Incheon and Gimhae cost similar but require a queue. For stays under 7 days, eSIM wins on convenience. For 1-3 month stays, buy a prepaid physical SIM downtown (Itaewon, Hongdae, Gangnam) for better data-per-won.
Can I keep my Korean number after I leave Korea?
Postpaid lines from the big 3 (KT, SKT, LG U+) are usually cancelled when you close your Korean bank account or your ARC expires. Prepaid SIMs simply stop working when you stop topping them up — there's a grace period (usually 60-90 days) before the number is recycled. If you want to keep a Korean number for banking 2FA or KakaoTalk verification after leaving, switch to a prepaid MVNO (Chingu Mobile, EG Mobile) at minimum monthly top-up before departure, or use a virtual number service (KT mobile virtual SIM, third-party services like Hushed).
Is 5G worth paying extra for in Korea?
Korea has the world's most extensive 5G coverage, but real-world benefit for most users is small. 4G LTE in Seoul/Busan/Daegu already averages 100-300 Mbps — fast enough for video calls, 4K streaming, and online gaming. 5G plans cost 50-100% more than equivalent 4G LTE plans. Pay extra for 5G only if you need ultra-low latency (cloud gaming, real-time AR) or you stream 8K. For typical use (Instagram, YouTube, KakaoTalk, navigation), 4G LTE on an MVNO saves you ₩15,000-30,000/month with no noticeable difference.
Last updated: 2026-05. Always verify current pricing on the carrier's website. We don't earn commission from any provider listed.