@370Z wrote:I taught English in Korea for 2.5 years 3.5 years ago (not a typo). I was there under an F-4 visa. I only had 2 US credit cards back then, both with FTF, so I never used them.
Any place that accepts Mastercard will accept Visa, and vice-versa. Unless you're a Korean citizen, you have zero chance of getting any credit cards. I read that years ago, foreigners maxed cards out without paying them and left the country, hence the change. Many debit cards offer monthly discounts at certain places, some of which require a certain amount of spend in the previous month. For example, $7 off a movie ticket, $3 off at a specific convenience store, etc. I had checking and debit cards with KB and KEB. KB had the best debit cards and most branches. KEB was the most foreigner friendly but with fewer locations.
Hope this helps.
Actually Shinhan bank does offer Korean credit cards to foreigners and non-Korean citizens. (My sister taught English there last year and obtained a Korean credit card, so it may be a YMMV situation). You can check with Shinhan bank directly, but it also mentions it on their website:
Best of luck, OP! 
@Anonymous wrote:
@370Z wrote:I taught English in Korea for 2.5 years 3.5 years ago (not a typo). I was there under an F-4 visa. I only had 2 US credit cards back then, both with FTF, so I never used them.
Any place that accepts Mastercard will accept Visa, and vice-versa. Unless you're a Korean citizen, you have zero chance of getting any credit cards. I read that years ago, foreigners maxed cards out without paying them and left the country, hence the change. Many debit cards offer monthly discounts at certain places, some of which require a certain amount of spend in the previous month. For example, $7 off a movie ticket, $3 off at a specific convenience store, etc. I had checking and debit cards with KB and KEB. KB had the best debit cards and most branches. KEB was the most foreigner friendly but with fewer locations.
Hope this helps.
Actually Shinhan bank does offer Korean credit cards to foreigners and non-Korean citizens. (My sister taught English there last year and obtained a Korean credit card, so it may be a YMMV situation). You can check with Shinhan bank directly, but it also mentions it on their website:
Best of luck, OP!
From the FAQ
"What are the eligibility criteria for an international check card?
If you have a valid passport and Alien Registration Card you are eligible for a domestic or international check card from Shinhan Bank.
Of course, a teller may use his or her discretion to refuse to open a bank account or issue a check card or offer other bank services to someone they believe to be suspicious. This is definitely not limited to foreigners; all bank customers are subject to a teller’s discretion. In fact, it is a teller’s duty to report any suspicious characters or activity to the branch manager."
Of course, a teller may use his or her discretion to refuse to open a bank account or issue a check card or offer other bank services to someone they believe to be suspicious. This is definitely not limited to foreigners; all bank customers are subject to a teller’s discretion. In fact, it is a teller’s duty to report any suspicious characters or activity to the branch manager."
Icyhot I hope you don't look suspicious!!!
@Anonymous wrote:Congratulations on your exciting new adventure! I think it is a good idea to put any cards on autopay for small regular bills if you don't want those ones to close.
I'd also recommend checking into acceptance levels for credit cards in different areas of South Korea. I know that obtaining credit cards is frowned upon to an extent in Japan by those who live there, as they think it is more responsible to pay with cash. That doesn't mean they are not accepted in tourist areas ( they are), but outside of certain areas, there is much less acceptance of credit cards in Japan. So I'd recommend checking into that for South Korea so you can fully understand where your credit cards will and will not be useable. I know there are towns outside the main area of Seoul where credit cards are not accepted because the towns are smaller, but not sure where your teaching assignment will be.
Also, smaller mom and pop grocery stores (even in Seoul) do not always accept credit cards, so it will be good to identify your main go-to places and determine if they accept credit cards. You can easily end up renting an apartment on a street where your closest grocery store will be a mom and pop store that does not accept credit cards, so it's good to look into this.
Public transportation and smaller restaurants will require cash.You might also want to check if there are any extra fees for credit card use at the places which do accept credit cards.
Bank of Korea offers BC Credit cards. I'd recommend making an appointment with a banker at Bank of Korea once you arrive to determine which, if any, products and services would be available to you as a non-citizen visa holder who is legally resident for a job.
Korean credit cards operate on the "pay in full each month" system, so you will want to factor that in as you consider options, too. This is often a big surprise to people who may be used to carrying balances!
Perhaps others can offer additional help. Expat forums are also a nice place to check.
Enjoy this wonderful adventure!
It's not a matter of do Japanese think it's more responsible to spend with cash but more of a fact lol. If you don't have the cash you can't buy it lol.
@Anonymous wrote:
@370Z wrote:I taught English in Korea for 2.5 years 3.5 years ago (not a typo). I was there under an F-4 visa. I only had 2 US credit cards back then, both with FTF, so I never used them.
Any place that accepts Mastercard will accept Visa, and vice-versa. Unless you're a Korean citizen, you have zero chance of getting any credit cards. I read that years ago, foreigners maxed cards out without paying them and left the country, hence the change. Many debit cards offer monthly discounts at certain places, some of which require a certain amount of spend in the previous month. For example, $7 off a movie ticket, $3 off at a specific convenience store, etc. I had checking and debit cards with KB and KEB. KB had the best debit cards and most branches. KEB was the most foreigner friendly but with fewer locations.
Hope this helps.
Actually Shinhan bank does offer Korean credit cards to foreigners and non-Korean citizens. (My sister taught English there last year and obtained a Korean credit card, so it may be a YMMV situation). You can check with Shinhan bank directly, but it also mentions it on their website:
Best of luck, OP!
Outside of a secured card, it is basically impossible for an E-2 visa holder to get a CC in Korea. Check card (which is what they call a debit card) is limited to Korea only, some banks will give an international one, but even that is a fight.
Source: I live here, for the past 13 years.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@370Z wrote:I taught English in Korea for 2.5 years 3.5 years ago (not a typo). I was there under an F-4 visa. I only had 2 US credit cards back then, both with FTF, so I never used them.
Any place that accepts Mastercard will accept Visa, and vice-versa. Unless you're a Korean citizen, you have zero chance of getting any credit cards. I read that years ago, foreigners maxed cards out without paying them and left the country, hence the change. Many debit cards offer monthly discounts at certain places, some of which require a certain amount of spend in the previous month. For example, $7 off a movie ticket, $3 off at a specific convenience store, etc. I had checking and debit cards with KB and KEB. KB had the best debit cards and most branches. KEB was the most foreigner friendly but with fewer locations.
Hope this helps.
Actually Shinhan bank does offer Korean credit cards to foreigners and non-Korean citizens. (My sister taught English there last year and obtained a Korean credit card, so it may be a YMMV situation). You can check with Shinhan bank directly, but it also mentions it on their website:
Best of luck, OP!
Outside of a secured card, it is basically impossible for an E-2 visa holder to get a CC in Korea. Check card (which is what they call a debit card) is limited to Korea only, some banks will give an international one, but even that is a fight.
Source: I live here, for the past 13 years.
No idea of the type of Visa she had, but my sister was indeed able to get a Korean credit card while living and working in Korea and being sponsored by a company (US citizen). I don't know the rules related to it. I guess it's YMMV.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@370Z wrote:I taught English in Korea for 2.5 years 3.5 years ago (not a typo). I was there under an F-4 visa. I only had 2 US credit cards back then, both with FTF, so I never used them.
Any place that accepts Mastercard will accept Visa, and vice-versa. Unless you're a Korean citizen, you have zero chance of getting any credit cards. I read that years ago, foreigners maxed cards out without paying them and left the country, hence the change. Many debit cards offer monthly discounts at certain places, some of which require a certain amount of spend in the previous month. For example, $7 off a movie ticket, $3 off at a specific convenience store, etc. I had checking and debit cards with KB and KEB. KB had the best debit cards and most branches. KEB was the most foreigner friendly but with fewer locations.
Hope this helps.
Actually Shinhan bank does offer Korean credit cards to foreigners and non-Korean citizens. (My sister taught English there last year and obtained a Korean credit card, so it may be a YMMV situation). You can check with Shinhan bank directly, but it also mentions it on their website:
Best of luck, OP!
Outside of a secured card, it is basically impossible for an E-2 visa holder to get a CC in Korea. Check card (which is what they call a debit card) is limited to Korea only, some banks will give an international one, but even that is a fight.
Source: I live here, for the past 13 years.
No idea of the type of Visa she had, but my sister was indeed able to get a Korean credit card while living and working in Korea and being sponsored by a company (US citizen). I don't know the rules related to it. I guess it's YMMV.
It is pretty rare, but can happen. Working at a university, or as an internal English teacher for a major corporation makes it easy. Public school teachers may be able to get one (Samsung has been known to let them have an unsecured), Hagwon (which are private schools, which most English teachers work at) it's nearly impossible.
Didn't mean to come across as saying you're incorrect, just that your sister would be the exception and not the rule. Also has a lot to do with how you look (that goes for EVERYTHING in this country), and what mood that bank manager is in that day. Persistence pays off, one guy says no (foreigners can't have that), just go to the next bank, and the next, and the next... sooner or later you might get one to approve.
There are some really awesome perks on cards here, for example my wife's card gives 20% discount off her cell phone bill. What makes that even more amazing is that you can pay for taxi, bus, subway, movies, convience stores, etc with your cellphone. Those charges just show up on your bill, like any phone call would, and the 20% discount applies to it.