Moving into a new place in Korea can feel overwhelming, especially if it's your first time living abroad. Some things are legal requirements with strict deadlines. Others are just good to know. Here's how to sort out what actually needs your attention during your first week — and what can wait.

1. Mandatory: Report Your Address Change

If you're a registered foreigner (you have an Alien Registration Card, or ARC), Korean law requires you to report any change of address. This is not the same as the Korean "jeonip-sinnago" (전입신고) system, which applies to Korean citizens — the foreigner version is called a 체류지 변경신고 (report of change of residence) under Article 36 of Korea's Immigration Act.

• Deadline: within 15 days of moving in
• Where: online via HiKorea, or in person at your local immigration office or community center (jumin-center)
• What you'll need: your ARC and proof of your new address (lease contract, landlord confirmation letter, etc.)
• Why it matters: missing the deadline can mean you're blocked from filing online and may need to visit an immigration office in person, and in some cases a fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW can apply.

Because visa type can affect the exact process (for example, F-4 status holders may follow a slightly different timeline), it's worth double-checking your specific case on the HiKorea website or with your immigration office before assuming the general 15-day rule applies exactly to you.

2. Utilities: Who Handles the Name Change, and When

In many rental arrangements — especially studios or officetels managed by a landlord or agency — electricity, water, and gas may already be registered under the landlord's name, with usage costs passed to you as part of your monthly bill. In other cases, you may need to transfer the account into your own name.

• Ask your landlord or agency directly whether utilities are already registered in their name or need to be transferred.
• If you do need to register a utility account yourself, timelines vary by provider (KEPCO for electricity, your local water authority, city gas companies), so there's no single universal deadline — check with the relevant provider once you've moved in.
• Keep a copy of your lease and ARC handy, as these are commonly requested for registration.

3. Optional but Useful: Early Life Setup

These aren't legally required, but doing them early tends to make the rest of your stay smoother:

• Bank account: Useful for paying rent, utilities, and receiving any refunds. Requirements (ARC, proof of address, sometimes a phone number) vary by bank.
• Get to know your neighborhood: Locate the nearest pharmacy, convenience store, and public transit stop — small things that save time later.
• Trash disposal rules: Korea uses a district-specific paid garbage bag (종량제) system. Rules vary by district, so check with your landlord or building management for the correct bags and collection days.

4. If You Need It: Internet and Mobile Service

Setting up home internet or a local mobile plan is not something you're required to do immediately — plenty of tenants get by initially on a temporary SIM or existing international plan. When you do want to set it up:

• Home internet installation with major providers (SKT, KT, LG U+) usually requires your ARC and lease contract, and can take anywhere from a few days to about a week depending on the provider and building.
• Mobile carriers offer both prepaid and postpaid (contract) plans for foreigners; postpaid plans typically require an ARC.

Quick Reference

This guide is intended as general information and does not replace official government guidance. Requirements can vary by visa type and personal circumstances — always confirm details for your specific situation on HiKorea or with your local immigration office.

Sources:

• Immigration Act of Korea, Article 36 (체류지변경의 신고)
• HiKorea official portal — change of residence reporting guide
• Government24 (정부24) civil service guidance