Your Seoul arrival calendar.
A month-by-month planning companion for teachers, students and everyone finding their feet.
Planning windows, not confirmed intake dates. Spring and autumn patterns are approximate. This is a reusable January–December planner, not an official 2027 schedule. Admission, orientation, visa, housing and job dates must be confirmed with your own institution. Hagwon hiring and individual arrivals can happen in any month.
Your pathway
0 tasks checked this visit · Everyone
January.
01Spring preparation · Suggested
February.
02Spring arrival planning · Suggested
March.
03Spring settling-in · Suggested
April.
04Check your foundations · Suggested
May.
05Autumn preparation begins · Suggested
June.
06Mid-year planning · Suggested
July.
07Autumn arrival preparation · Suggested
August.
08Autumn arrival planning · Suggested
September.
09Autumn settling-in · Suggested
October.
10Review and next-intake planning · Suggested
November.
11Spring preparation · Suggested
December.
12Before the spring journey · Suggested
Confirm your dates at the source.
These are agency and programme portals, not a claim that a particular intake date has been verified. Your university’s own calendar and sponsor instructions remain essential.
Your arrival checklist.
Visas, housing, banking, phones and documents in one list. Tick as you go; your ticks are not saved and disappear when you leave.
Visas.
Visa issued or entry permission confirmed for your nationality and purpose.
Visa guideChecked whether you need K-ETA or an e-Arrival Card.
Before you arriveResidence card (ARC) appointment booked on HiKorea within your deadline.
Visa to residence cardHealth check booked if your visa or employer requires one.
Health checks
Housing.
First-night address confirmed, saved in Korean and in Naver or Kakao Map.
Before you arriveAirport-to-door route planned, including last train or bus times.
Your first 48 hoursLease and deposit terms understood before you sign or pay.
Housing guideAddress reported once you move in (usually as part of ARC or a change of address).
Forms & documents
Banking.
Two cards from different networks plus some cash for the first days.
Banking & paymentsKorean bank account opened (usually after your ARC).
Open the right accountChosen a way to send money home and compared fees.
Sending money home
Phones.
Phone unlocked; eSIM or airport SIM arranged for arrival.
Your phone is your identityNaver Map or Kakao Map, Papago, KakaoTalk and Kakao T installed.
The apps that run SeoulLocal phone plan in your name once you have an ARC.
Your phone is your identityTransport card bought and topped up.
Seoul by subway
Documents.
Passport plus originals your sponsor asked for (degree, apostilles, record check or admission letter).
Before you arrivePassport photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm) for ARC and other applications.
Everything scanned to storage you can open offline, and shared with someone you trust.
First 30 Days checklist and Korean address card printed.
Printable checklists
Requirements differ by visa, nationality, employer and university. Follow your sponsor's instructions and check official sources before you act.
Download the tickable PDFThe intake-team handout.
The calendar and timeline are planning companions. The arrival checklist and paperwork cards cover the practical steps. Individual university, employer and immigration instructions take priority.
Independent guidance, not a government form or legal advice. Ticks and personal date notes stay in this visit only; they are not sent or saved.