Check card or credit card: which one first?

New in Korea and wondering which card to get? The Seoul city guide for foreign residents explains the two kinds.

Check card (체크카드)

• You can apply as soon as your account is open, even at the same visit. With a foreigner registration card, most people can get one.
• It spends only the money in your account. No bill later.
• It works in shops, online and at ATMs.

Credit card (신용카드)

• You must meet conditions. The guide lists proof of income in Korea, such as a work contract or pay slips, and a certain length of stay in Korea.
• With no financial record in Korea, approval can be hard.
• The conditions belong to the card company, and they differ.

Which one for a newcomer
A check card is usually the easier one. It needs an account and your registration card, not a credit record. Many people start with a check card and apply for a credit card later, once they have pay slips.

It depends on your income, your stay record and the card company. Nobody can promise approval.

Next step: ask for a check card when you open your account. Ask about a credit card after you have a few months of pay slips.

Source: Seoul guide for foreign residents, banking. Checked 11 October 2026.