Opening a Korean bank account: which documents should newcomers confirm with the branch?

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Opening a Korean bank account: which documents should newcomers confirm with the branch?

Answer from the verified guide

What to Check Before Visiting

Check item	Why is it important?
Documents accepted for real-name verification	Which identity verification documents are accepted — passport, Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증), Domestic Residence Report Card (국내거소신고증), etc. — is determined by the bank.
Purpose of stay	You may need materials that explain your purpose of stay, such as study abroad, employment, accompaniment, marriage, or investment.
Purpose of financial transaction	The bank may verify your transaction purpose, such as receiving salary, managing living expenses, paying tuition, or a lease deposit.
Contact and address	A domestic mobile phone number, residential address, and school or company contact may be required.
Whether it is a regulated financial company	Check the financial company on the Financial Supervisory Service's Regulated Financial Companies Inquiry (제도권금융회사조회).

Materials Worth Preparing

The materials a bank actually requires differ from case to case. Below are examples of materials you can confirm before visiting.

• Passport
• Identity verification materials such as Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증), Domestic Residence Report Card (국내거소신고증), or a receipt related to the alien registration application
• Study-abroad purpose materials such as a certificate of enrollment, letter of admission, or tuition payment records
• Employment purpose materials such as an employment contract, certificate of employment, or documents confirming the purpose of receiving salary
• Address verification materials such as a lease contract or dormitory confirmation
• Whether overseas tax-related information, such as your home-country taxpayer number, is required

Even with many materials, opening an account is not guaranteed. The bank may request additional verification or refuse to open an account based on anti-money-laundering, the prevention of illegal (borrowed-name) accounts, and customer due diligence standards.

Verified guide and date

Bank Account Opening Safety Checklist