eSIM, prepaid USIM, postpaid or budget MVNO — the right choice comes down to how long you’re staying, whether you have an ARC, and how much data you burn. Answer three questions.
The Alien Registration Card unlocks postpaid plans and most MVNOs.
Your match — and what else fits
★ Best match for you
Prepaid USIM(seon-bul yu-sim)
₩90,000–₩150,000 · $60–$100
for your 90-day stay
Students and working-holiday arrivals waiting for an ARC — gives a real 010 number with just a passport
Korean #
Yes
Needs ARC
No
Needs bank
No
Why it fits
Real 010 number with passport only
No contract, no ARC, no bank account
Top up monthly as needed
Trade-offs
Must pick up a physical SIM (airport / convenience store)
Costs more than postpaid/MVNO month-on-month
What you need
PassportUnlocked phone
Where to get it
KT prepaidBuy at ICN airport or convenience stores
SKT prepaidWidest coverage
Also worth considering
Data eSIM(i-sim)
₩300,000–₩420,000 · $200–$280
for your 90-day stay
Tourists who just need maps, translation and KakaoTalk
Korean #
No
Needs ARC
No
Needs bank
No
Why it fits
No paperwork — passport not needed at counter
Activate before you land
Pause and resume between trips
Trade-offs
No Korean 010 number
Worse value past ~3 weeks
What you need
eSIM-capable phone (most iPhones since XS, recent Androids)
Where to get it
AiraloApp-based, activate before you land
HolaflyUnlimited-data plans
Compare eSIM plans · soon
Also worth considering
Budget MVNO(alddeul-pon)
₩60,000–₩105,000 · $40–$70
for your 90-day stay
Long-term residents who want the same network coverage for roughly half the price
Korean #
Yes
Needs ARC
Yes
Needs bank
Yes
Why it fits
Half the price, same SKT/KT/LG U+ towers
Foreigner-focused MVNOs offer English signup
No long contract
Trade-offs
Mostly Korean-language customer support
Slightly more setup friction
What you need
ARCKorean bank account (most MVNOs)
Where to get it
Chingu MobileEnglish signup, foreigner-focused
Woori MobileHalf the price of big three, same network
Total cost over 90 days
Plan
Per month
90 days · KRW
90 days · USD
Prepaid USIM★ MATCH
seon-bul yu-sim
₩30,000–₩50,000
₩90,000–₩150,000
$60–$100
Data eSIM
i-sim
₩100,000–₩140,000
₩300,000–₩420,000
$200–$280
Budget MVNO
alddeul-pon
₩20,000–₩35,000
₩60,000–₩105,000
$40–$70
Postpaid plan
hu-bul yo-geum-je
₩39,000–₩59,000
₩117,000–₩177,000
$78–$118
90-day projection · USD at live FX (₩1,500=$1)
Skip the airport counter
Compare eSIM plans before you land — activate at the gate, no Korean address or ARC needed.
Compare eSIM plans · soon
Prices are 2026 estimates · Always confirm current plans with the provider
