Moving to South Korea

South Korea, or officially the Republic of Korea, attracts many immigrants due to its opportunities and prospects. The country has a low unemployment rate and a large number of jobs in various sectors.
Korea also has a high standard of living and a well-developed infrastructure. There are opportunities for education, medicine and leisure activities.
However, South Korea is not cheap for immigrants. You need considerable start-up capital to secure a decent standard of living.
It is therefore important for immigrants to assess their opportunities realistically and to have sufficient savings.

South Korea offers a variety of cities, each with its own character, offerings and quality of life. Here are a few cities that are often highlighted as attractive places to live:
Seoul: As the capital and largest city, Seoul offers excellent opportunities for work, education and entertainment. The city is home to high-tech districts, cultural attractions and numerous parks.
Busan: Located on the coast, Busan is known for its beautiful beaches, harbors and picturesque mountains. The city offers a rich cultural offering and a variety of outdoor activities.
Incheon: This city is a major transportation hub and is home to numerous cultural activities. Incheon is also known for its historical sites and beautiful coastal areas.
Daejeon: Located in the center of the country, this city is a science and education hub with numerous universities and research institutes.
Gwangju: The city is famous for its art scene and numerous artistic and cultural events. Gwangju is also known for its parks and traditional cuisine.
Suwon: Suwon is close to Seoul and is known for its historic walls, beautiful parks and traditional markets.
Choosing the city you want to live in depends on your lifestyle preferences, career goals and preferences for culture and nature.

To enter South Korea, citizens of most countries simply need to apply online for a K-ETA visa. This allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days without registering with the migration authorities.

For a long-term stay, however, a corresponding long-term visa is required. There are several options for this:

• The S-3 work visa entitles you to work for a Korean employer.
• With the D-2 student visa, you can study in Korea and then stay to work.
• The ethnic origin visa is issued to Koreans and their descendants.
• The F-4 temporary residence permit is valid for up to 5 years and can be extended.
• Permanent residence can be obtained by marrying a Korean citizen with an F-2 visa.
• Investment visa for setting up a business or for investment.

With a K-ETA visa, you can stay in Korea for up to 90 days, while other types of visas are required for a long-term stay.

The housing market in South Korea is currently highly competitive, but it is not very difficult for expats to find accommodation. On the contrary, expats are often able to find suitable accommodation quickly within the first month (or even the first week) of arriving in South Korea. However, it is important to act quickly, as the desired accommodation may be available within a day or two.
Unless you prefer to stay outside of the big cities, there is not a great deal of accommodation on offer. When choosing a convenient location, expats have the choice between studios and apartments with several bedrooms. Paying for utilities is also quite easy in South Korea and can be done in stores.
Basic Korean language skills are also an advantage when renting an apartment. Some expats encounter difficulties due to advertisements or obstacles from landlords, but basic language skills help to avoid misunderstandings. The same knowledge is also useful to understand the average rental prices in the country, which are given in a specific format.
For foreigners looking to buy property in South Korea, there are no specific requirements that they must meet based on their nationality. However, average real estate prices start at 1.5-2.5 million won (US$130,000-215,000) for a small apartment or studio and around 4 million won (US$340,000) for a house.

The most sought-after professions:

• English teacher. High demand in schools, language centers and for private tuition. High level of language skills and teaching experience required.
• IT specialists: Programmers, developers, cyber security specialists. High qualifications and professional experience required.
• Engineers, technical specialists to work in production and R&D centers. Knowledge of electronics, semiconductors, robotics is particularly valued.
• Financial analysts, accountants, investment and insurance specialists. Knowledge of Korean is desirable.
• Medical professionals: doctors, nurses, subspecialists. Must have a license to work in Korea.
• Creative professionals: designers, photographers, marketing and advertising professionals. They must present a portfolio of their work.

Difficulties in finding work may occur due to:

• Language barrier. The Korean language must be spoken at least at a conversational level.
• The need to prove qualifications and work experience.
• Competition from local professionals.
• Requirements for work visas and company sponsorship.
• Cultural differences.

With professionalism, patience and a willingness to adapt to new conditions, you can overcome these challenges. South Korea can offer excellent employment opportunities for foreign professionals.

The South Korean healthcare system is considered to be one of the best in the world and is one of the best in the OECD. Immigrants have the right and obligation to register there after 6 months in the country.
However, there are some shortcomings. In particular, there is an imbalance in the number of doctors between urban and rural areas. In the cities, the availability of medical care is much greater.
But in general, the quality of medical care in Korea is at a high level, both in the city and outside the city.

Advantages:

• High standard of living and developed infrastructure
• Modern and dynamically developing cities
• Excellent healthcare and education system
• Developed IT sector and many jobs
• Convenient and fast public transportation and delivery services
• Rich history and culture
• Delicious national cuisine
• Diverse opportunities for leisure activities

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living, especially for housing
• Difficult Korean language
• High competition in education and employment
• Air pollution in large cities
• Lots of people and queues in public places
• Tense relations with North Korea

But in general, South Korea is a very attractive country to live in if you approach the disadvantages correctly and compensate for them. It is worth considering this option if you want to emigrate to a developed Asian country.