When you start living in Korea, “get a Korea SIM first” sounds like the obvious answer—but in reality, your options split because of identity verification (PASS/mobile identity verification). The “right answer” is completely different for someone who just needs stable data, versus someone who needs everything—from delivery apps, banks, public services, to simple payments—to work smoothly.
In this post, I’ll break down (1) prepaid (2) postpaid (3) eSIM for foreigners getting a phone line in Korea using criteria that matter more than “price”: identity verification availability / required documents / length of stay.
1-Minute Conclusion for Foreigners Getting a Korean Phone Line: If this is your situation, this is the answer
- Travel/business trip 1–30 days:
→ eSIM (data-only) or a prepaid SIM (fast and simple)
However, it’s safest not to expect Korean-app identity verification in most cases. (Reasons explained below) (LG U+) - Right after entry (no ARC yet) + you just need a number/data for now:
→ Get by with prepaid using your passport (often up to 90-day options), then switch to postpaid once your ARC is issued (KT Shop Global) - Study/work/long-term stay + PASS identity verification is essential:
→ Postpaid (monthly plan) activated with your ARC is the most stable option
With PASS, your name (as registered with the carrier at sign-up, including formatting) may need to match exactly. (MGlobal Community) - Keep your overseas number (OTP) + add Korean data only:
→ eSIM is the most convenient (dual SIM). But even with eSIM, identity verification can be restricted depending on the product. (LG U+)
First, a quick clarification: eSIM is not a “plan”—it’s a “SIM form factor”
If you lock in just one potentially confusing point, choosing becomes much easier.
- Prepaid vs postpaid = “how you’re billed”
- Physical SIM vs eSIM = “SIM form factor (chip vs embedded)”
So there can be prepaid eSIM and postpaid eSIM (depending on the carrier/product), but what’s most commonly sold to foreigners is typically a travel prepaid eSIM. (Skroaming)
Core Comparison Table: Prepaid vs Postpaid vs eSIM (for foreigners)
| Category | Prepaid | Postpaid | eSIM (form factor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended stay length | 1 day–90 days (or short-term) | 3 months–long-term | Both short/long-term (depends on the product) |
| Typical required documents | Passport (often possible) / or ARC | ARC/residence card + payment method | Online purchase + QR, passport verification, etc. (varies by product) |
| Korean identity verification (PASS) | Often restricted/not available in many cases | Available (most stable) | Travel products are often restricted |
| Pros | Fast, no contract burden | Best for identity verification/service compatibility, better long-term value | Instant without swapping SIMs, convenient dual SIM |
| Cons | May run into blocks with identity verification/financial services | Higher activation hurdles (ARC/bank account, etc.), may involve contracts | Often unrecoverable if deleted / many restricted products |
You can verify document/payment requirements via carrier guidance. Example: SKT states prepaid is possible with an “ARC or passport.” (T World) KT states that the automatic payment method for postpaid plans is a “Korean bank account or a Korean card.” (KT Shop Global)
1) Who prepaid SIM is best for
If you’re in these situations, prepaid wins
- You need internet immediately after arriving at the airport
- Your stay in Korea is short (travel/short business trip)
- You don’t have an ARC yet (early period after arrival for students/working holiday)
- Korean online identity verification is not “immediately” essential
For prepaid activation, documents are usually checked like this
- SKT explicitly states that prepaid service is available with an ARC or passport. (T World)
- KT Global Shop also indicates that prepaid can be activated with a regular passport. (KT Shop Global)
But “a prepaid number = PASS identity verification” is not guaranteed
This is the most common wall foreigners hit when using prepaid.
- “I have a 010 number—why won’t PASS/mobile identity verification work?”
→ Some products block ‘mobile identity verification (carrier-linked)’ even if you have a number.
LG U+ traveler guidance states that identity verification is not available on Data eSIM, etc. (LG U+)
SKT (roaming) traveler eSIM also states personal authentication services/payment SMS reception are not available. (Skroaming)
Exception: Some foreigner-focused dealers may support “ARC linkage”
Some foreigner-focused sellers state that they support (conditionally) linking a prepaid number to an ARC so it can be used for online verification.
Example: There are cases that guide ARC linkage with conditions such as 3+ month plans. (Sim card Korea – CHINGUMOBILE)
However, this is less a universal rule for all prepaid/all carriers and more a ‘seller/product policy.’ If your goal is identity verification, it’s safest to confirm “PASS/identity verification availability” before purchase.
2) Who postpaid plans are best for
Bottom line: if you need the “full Korea life set,” postpaid is the answer
If two or more of the following apply, postpaid wins by a landslide in real-life convenience.
- You frequently need mobile identity verification for delivery apps/memberships/simple payments/banking apps, etc.
- You plan a long-term stay in Korea (study/work/dependent)
- You want to use your number not as “temporary,” but as a “settling-in number”
Realistic requirements for postpaid activation
- For long-term plans, the key is typically ARC + (for payment) a Korean bank account/Korean card.
- 10mag’s guide summarizes that monthly plans require a passport, ARC, and proof of a Korean bank account. (10mag.com)
- KT states you can pay monthly fees via automatic transfer from a Korean bank account or a Korean credit card. (KT Shop Global)
- A local government (Guri City) living guide also notes that a card/account issued in Korea is required. (guri.go.kr)
If you’re thinking about PASS (identity verification), “name formatting” is truly important
About 70% of foreigner identity verification problems blow up right here.
- LG U+ guidance: If your contract was opened with an ARC, you can use the PASS app’s identity verification service, but you must enter your name exactly as it was first registered with the carrier (including details like whether a hyphen exists). (MGlobal Community)
👉 So if you plan to go postpaid, make sure to ask the staff at activation “Exactly how did you register my English name (spaces/hyphens/order)?” and write it down.
3) Who eSIM is best for (but first, distinguish by “product type”)
eSIM is unbeatable for convenience, but for foreigners there are quite a few product-specific traps.
Good cases for using eSIM
- You want to activate instantly via QR the moment you arrive in Korea
- You want to keep your overseas number (physical SIM) while adding a Korean line (dual SIM)
- You dislike swapping/losing SIM cards
Three common eSIM traps
1) If it’s “data-only,” you can’t place calls or send SMS
LG U+ FAQ clearly distinguishes that Data Only is internet only, with no outgoing calls/SMS. (LG U+)
(Even if receiving works in some cases, “verification SMS/payment SMS” is a separate issue.)
2) PASS (identity verification) may be blocked on travel eSIM products
- LG U+ states in its eSIM product guidance that the identity verification service cannot be used. (LG U+)
- SKT (roaming) eSIM also states personal authentication services and payment SMS reception are not available. (Skroaming)
In other words, just because eSIM is convenient doesn’t mean you can “go all-in for Korean life verification” without risk.
3) In many cases, eSIM can’t be restored after deletion
LG U+ guidance: A downloaded eSIM cannot be restored once deleted, and refunds/replacements may not be possible in cases of device damage/deletion. (LG U+)
(Important) Whether my phone supports eSIM + whether it’s compatible with Korean products
- LG U+ FAQ says you can confirm eSIM support if you can see an EID. (LG U+)
- It also advises that if your phone has a carrier lock (country lock), unlock it in advance. (LG U+)
- And notably, LG U+ FAQ includes wording stating that Pixel/OPPO devices cannot use eSIM (this may be based on that service/policy, so reconfirm before purchase is recommended). (LG U+)
Recommendations by scenario: “If it’s this case, go with this”
1) Travel 3–7 days / only need maps·taxi·translation
- Recommended: data-focused eSIM (or prepaid)
- Reason: instant activation, cost-efficient. But it’s safest not to expect identity verification. (LG U+)
2) Travel 2–4 weeks + need local calls/SMS too
- Recommended: prepaid (physical SIM) with data + voice, or a travel eSIM that includes voice
- Reason: helpful for restaurant reservations/local contact
- Caution: payment verification/personal identity verification may be restricted. (Skroaming)
3) Students/working holiday: first 1–2 months after entry (waiting for ARC)
- Recommended: passport-based prepaid (up to 90-day options) → then switch to postpaid once ARC is issued
- Basis: KT guidance includes that prepaid activated with a passport is provided for 90 days. (KT Shop Global)
4) Long-term study/work + delivery apps/banking/simple payments are essential
- Recommended: postpaid (ARC-based)
- Reason: PASS identity verification is key, and guidance explains it’s available under contracts opened with an ARC. (MGlobal Community)
5) “I need a Korean number, but I must keep my overseas number (OTP) too”
- Recommended: overseas physical SIM + Korean eSIM
- Reason: optimal dual SIM setup (but if your goal is identity verification, you need to confirm whether it’s a postpaid eSIM/postpaid line that supports it). (LG U+)
6) Long-term stay, but you don’t have a Korean bank account/card yet
- Recommended: get by with short-term prepaid while preparing your account → then move to postpaid
- Basis: KT explains postpaid payment methods mainly as Korean accounts/Korean cards. (KT Shop Global)
If your goal is “PASS identity verification,” what you must know
1) PASS is widely used as a “carrier-based” identity verification app
In Korea, carrier-based identity verification functions like daily-life infrastructure, and even recent policy changes mention the PASS app. (Korea Joongang Daily)
2) Even if you activated with an ARC, mismatched “name formatting” can make you fail
- There are real cases/guidance stating failures can happen due to hyphen/space/order differences. (MGlobal Community)
3) Travel eSIM/data eSIM may block identity verification
- LG U+ explicitly states identity verification is not available on eSIM. (LG U+)
- SKT (roaming) eSIM also explicitly states personal authentication/payment-SMS reception is not available. (Skroaming)
2026 Update Check: Activation procedures may become stricter
Due to recent issues like voice phishing and illegal activations, reports say Korea has been piloting/introducing facial verification (face recognition) via PASS when activating new mobile lines. The government also reportedly explained that it “only checks the match between the photo and the real face and does not store data.” (Korea Joongang Daily)
👉 Since this change can affect procedures/requirements/time needed for foreigners as well, if you’re staying long-term, it’s safest to build a habit of double-checking carrier guidance “as of today’s date.”
Pre-activation checklist (dramatically lowers failure risk)
- Confirm whether your phone is unlocked (country/carrier lock removed) (LG U+)
- Check eSIM support (confirm EID) (LG U+)
- Decide your priority: “data” vs “Korean number” vs “identity verification”
- If you have an ARC, ask staff during activation and write down the registered English-name format (MGlobal Community)
- Since eSIM may not be recoverable if deleted, keep your QR/email (LG U+)
- If long-term, plan ahead for a Korean payment method (bank account/Korean card) as well (KT Shop Global)
Wrap-up: There isn’t one “right answer”—it depends on your situation
- Just need internet fast → prepaid/eSIM
- All-in on Korean life verification → ARC-based postpaid
- Dual SIM/convenience → eSIM (but 반드시 check identity verification restrictions)
In Korea, activating a phone line isn’t just a telecom issue—it’s closer to the gateway to a digital ID. If you work backward from the points where you’re most likely to get stuck (identity verification/payment/documents) using this post, you’ll drastically reduce the chance of failure.
Key Summary
Q1. Is eSIM always best for foreign travelers?
For most people, it’s convenient. However, travel eSIMs can restrict identity verification (Identity verification/PASS), so if your goal is Korean app verification, you need to be careful. (LG U+)
Q2. Can I use PASS identity verification with a prepaid number made with a passport?
It depends on the product/policy. Travel/data eSIMs sometimes explicitly state restrictions, while some foreigner-focused sellers guide that they conditionally support ARC linkage. (LG U+)
Q3. Do postpaid plans require a Korean bank account?
Based on carrier guidance, it’s often centered around “Korean payment methods,” such as automatic transfer from a Korean bank account or a Korean credit card. (KT Shop Global)
Q4. I activated with an ARC, but PASS doesn’t work. Why?
There is guidance stating that the registered name format (including hyphens/spaces) must match what you enter in PASS. You must input it exactly as registered. (MGlobal Community)
Q5. Can I reinstall an eSIM after deleting it?
Some providers explicitly state that deleted eSIMs cannot be restored/reissued. Before deleting, be sure to check customer support/policy. (LG U+)
Q6. I’m staying long-term—can I start with prepaid first?
Yes. In practice, it’s common to get by with prepaid during the “ARC issuance waiting period,” then switch to postpaid afterward. (10mag.com)
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