U.S. Grantee Handbook: Pre-Arrival

 

Korea is a highly wired country, a status supported by some of the fastest internet in the world. Although places like Yongsan Electronics Market boast a wide range of products, here are a few points to note about tech in Korea.

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Voltage, Converters & Adapters

The standard voltage in Korea is 220v, whereas in the U.S. it is 110-120v. Many major electronics, such as computers and cell phone chargers, have a voltage range of 100-240v; these can be used without worry in Korea.

Smaller electronics, such as hair-styling devices, may require a converter. If you are uncertain what voltage an electronic takes, it is generally marked on the device or in its manual.

If bringing electronics from the U.S., you will need to also bring an adapter(s) as South Korean wall sockets differ from those in the U.S. (they are the same as those in most of Western Europe). Although adapters can be purchased readily in Korea, grantees are encouraged to pack a sufficient number of adapters for them to use with electronics immediately after arrival.

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Computers

Korea is rather more of a PC country than a Mac country. Mac users should be aware that the majority of software/hardware available in higher education institutions may only be PC compatible. Although there is an Apple store in Seoul, grantees with Macbooks are advised to bring all necessary adapters/cables/accessories with them.

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Cellphones

Grantees should consider whether they wish to purchase a phone in Korea, buy a phone before coming that will work internationally, or bring their current phone after making sure it is unlocked and compatible with Korean networks. Although it is possible to purchase a wide range of cell phones in Korea (particularly from well-known Korean brands such as LG and Samsung), if you have an unlocked phone, consider bringing it with you and getting either a prepaid or postpaid SIM card or eSIM. SIM cards may be purchased from multiple companies, but they are usually from one of Korea’s three main cellphone service providers: SK Telecom, KT Olleh, and LG U+

Grantees can enter into a regular one- or two- year cellphone contract, if desired. To do so, you will first need a Residence Card (previously known as an Alien Registration Card). KAEC will help facilitate the submission of your Residence Card application after your arrival in Korea. However, processing of a Residence Card may take 6-8 weeks. A temporary SIM card or Wifi egg could be used in the meantime. Please note, though, that in order to do online shopping on many Korean websites, or to register with certain Korean phone applications, such as Kakao Taxi, you must have a local Korean phone number.

Travelers can reserve or pick up a temporary SIM card or Wifi egg in Incheon Airport after arrival. If interested, please check at the airport when you arrive. You could also explore the option of having a Korean SIM card mailed to you internationally through companies such as Trazy. Or, if your phone is compatible with eSIMs, you could get an eSim through a Korean carrier or a global provider like Airalo. Otherwise, these items can be reserved/purchased online after your arrival from companies such as Korea SIM, Woori Mobile, etc. (See page on “Phone Set-up”).

DISCLAIMER: Inclusion of information about a particular phone company/service is not an endorsement of said service by KAEC/Fulbright Korea. This information is provided for reference as an initial jumping off point for grantees. Information is from a combination of web and grantee sources. 

 

 

Be Prepared

All grantees are strongly advised to arrive in Korea with sufficient financial means to support themselves, and any dependents, for 8-10 weeks after arrival. This is to account for the potential length of time it may take to set up a Korean bank account, which is affected by the processing time for a Korean Residence Card (See Passport & IDs). The processing time for a Korean Residence Card is controlled entirely by the Korea Immigration Service, and Fulbright Korea has no means of expediting this process.

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Your First Grant Payment

All award stipends, allowances, and reimbursements are paid in KRW. As such, all grantees must open a Korean bank account in order to facilitate the smooth transfer of their award benefits.

As grantees will likely not be able to immediately open a Korean bank account, if a grantee does not have an already established Korean bank account when they arrive in Korea, the grantee’s first stipend may be wire transferred to their U.S. bank account AFTER their arrival in Korea. No grant benefits are disbursed prior to arrival.

Only the first month’s stipend payment may be issued in USD; all later stipend payments, as well as other allowances such as the dependent allowances, will be issued in KRW after the grantee has provided KAEC with their Korean bank account information.

To open a full-access Korean bank account, most Korean banks require that you have a Residence Card (commonly known as an RC or ARC). KAEC will help facilitate the submission of your Residence Card application after your arrival in Korea. However, processing of a Residence Card may take 8 weeks from the date of arrival.

Once you have opened a Korean bank account, you will need to send your program contact a scan/photo of your Korean bankbook. All grant disbursements will be wire transferred to your Korean bank account thereafter.

Although you will eventually have a Korean bank account, until it is set up, you will need to use your U.S. bank account for expenses in Korea. As such, please check the following items with your U.S. bank before coming to Korea:

• Are there any limitations on using my debit/credit card abroad?
• What are the fees for using my debit/credit card abroad?
• How do I report my international travel to the bank to ensure I am not locked out of my account if I use my credit/debit card abroad?
• What are the transfer fees if wire transferring money from the U.S. to Korea or to the U.S. from Korea?
• What bank and account information do I need to make an international wire transfer?

 

 

Note: Neither KAEC nor IIE staff members are permitted to give tax advice. If you have questions regarding your tax liability, please contact the IRS directly, or consult a tax professional.

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U.S. Taxes

By law, Fulbright grantees must file U.S. taxes while in South Korea. For more information regarding this, visit the Internal Revenue Service’s webpage on Fulbright grants.

Like IIE and the U.S. Department of State, KAEC is not required to withhold taxes from grant payments, and, as a binational commission, KAEC does not issue a 1099 or W2 as it is a non-US entity. However, normally, by mid-March, KAEC will provide a statement itemizing all benefits received in Korean currency and U.S. dollars under the Fulbright award, which statement may be filed with a tax return.

If you need an estimate of the benefits you have received prior to KAEC issuing your statement, please use your award authorization document and/or bank deposit statements to approximate your grant payments.

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Korean Taxes

Fulbright grantees to Korea are exempt from paying Korean income tax on grants up to two years in length.

In most instances, grantees are paid directly by Fulbright Korea. However, teaching/research or distinguished scholar grantees may also receive lecturing fees through their host affiliate.

Lecturing fees from host affiliates to teaching/research grantees are generally low enough to avoid issues regarding Korean taxes (i.e., the tax assessed is less than the cost of applying for tax exemption). For Distinguished Scholars in particular, though, to qualify for Korean tax-exempt status for the grant year, the Distinguished Scholar’s host affiliate (i.e., Yonsei) will request submission of the Certification of U.S. Tax Residency (IRS Form 6166). There is an $85 “user fee” for obtaining the IRS Form 6166.

In order to obtain an IRS 6166 Form, Distinguished Scholars must submit an IRS Form 8802 Application for United States Residency Certification. The instructions for IRS Form 8802 are located on the IRS website.

Distinguished scholar grantees should either bring the original IRS Form 6166 with them to Korea or arrange to have the original sent to them in Korea if it arrives at their U.S. address after their departure.

Please read and follow all instructions from the IRS. Distinguished Scholars should also note the following:

• The IRS will not accept an IRS Form 8802 application for a tax year unless it is postmarked for December 1 or later of the year prior. (So, for example, for the 2024 tax year, the application must be submitted on or after December 1, 2023.)
• You should pay the user fee electronically and attach a copy of the receipt for your IRS Form 8802 application to your application.
• You can have the IRS send your Form 6166 to a U.S. address or to a foreign address. As it is uncertain how long the IRS form may take to process, you may wish to have the form sent to a proxy/appointee’s address (i.e., a friend or family member who can send/scan the completed form to you in Korea) OR to Fulbright Korea’s address in Seoul.
  • Note: The IRS does not provide a tracking number when mailing the Form 6166. So, if the form is lost in the mail, there is no way for you to receive another copy without reapplying. Because of this, we recommend sending your IRS Form 6166 to a proxy/appointee in the U.S. who can then forward it to you. That being said, if you do not have a reliable proxy/appointee, you may utilize KAEC’s address.

 

 

Per the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website, if a grantee wishes to defer their student loans while on a Fulbright grant:

It is the grantee’s responsibility to contact the lending institution, confirm that they accept loan deferment requests, and obtain the correct deferment forms. Grantees may then send the forms to IIE for certification of their grantee status and grant dates after completing the required borrower information on the form.

IIE cannot certify “In-School Deferment Request” forms.

Fulbright grants usually fall under the Graduate Fellowship deferment category and the grantee should confirm with the lender that this is the appropriate deferment request for submission.

Most lending institutions will not accept loan deferment request forms in advance of the grant period. In addition, some lenders will not accept a deferment request form before the end of the grace period. Grantees are responsible for confirming with their lenders when the appropriate time to submit the deferment request is.

Once grant dates are confirmed and your grant document has been signed and submitted to the IIE Participant Portal, the forms can be submitted to IIE. Deferment forms will only be certified by IIE beginning two weeks prior to the start of the Fulbright grant period once all pre-departure documents collected through the IIE Participant Portal have been approved.

Please upload your loan deferment to the IIE Participant Portal using the document category “Loan Deferment.”

Once IIE has approved your loan deferment, they will return a signed copy via the IIE Participant Portal for you to share with your loan servicer.

 

 

The language study allowance for qualifying Fulbright U.S. Students is available to partially offset the costs of Korean language study during the period of the award. To receive this allowance, qualifying students must pursue instruction through an approved institution (see list below) or with an approved tutor (contact your program officer for information regarding tutors). Payment is made directly to the institution/tutor or reimbursed on a receipt basis.

It is the responsibility of the grantee to seek approval to use the Language Study Allowance before enrolling, even if enrolling at an institution listed. If pursuing individual tutoring, the tutor must be approved before the grantee signs a contract with them.

Student grantees who qualify for the Language Study Allowance are required to begin their Korean language study during the first half of their grant period, or they will forfeit the allowance.

The Language Study Allowance cannot be used for reimbursement of textbooks or other study materials.

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Korean Courses

All of the following institutions offer courses that fit the guidelines mentioned above:

• Ewha Womans University
• Ganada Korean Language Institute
• Korea University
• Seoul National University
• Sogang University
• Yonsei University

​​For Students with placements outside of Seoul, in-person instruction may be approved at other local/regional institutions. Please contact your program officer in advance to inquire about approval.

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Korean Tutoring

An individual typically must hold a teaching certificate for Korean language in order to be approved as a tutor for coverage through the Language Study Allowance. A “Certificate of Korean Language Teacher” (한국어교원자격증) may be issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Certification may also come through the Ministry of Education (e.g., if the individual pursued education as a profession and became certified through the regular teachers’ examination). Those without certification may be considered for approval if they otherwise have sufficient, relevant experience.

Grantees may seek a tutor independently. Fulbright Korea also has on file the names of a few approved tutors with whom past grantees have worked. Please contact your program officer if you would like the contact information and resumes of these tutors.

​Another resource for finding a Korean tutor is Ganada Korean Language Institute. Ganada offers private lessons for individuals or groups of up to four people. Ganada is one of the institutions approved by Fulbright Korea for reimbursement of tuition/tutoring expenses through the Language Study Allowance as, although they are a private academy (학원), their instructors are considered of higher quality.

Regarding the logistics of engaging a tutor once chosen, grantees must provide Fulbright Korea with a written contract concerning the schedule/compensation rate for tutoring sessions, which contract must be signed by the grantee and the tutor and returned to Fulbright Korea either in person or via email. A template for such a contract can be found by clicking here.

In addition to the initial contract, grantees must also submit a monthly invoice that tracks the hours/dates of tutoring sessions and the cost of tutoring, with the grantee’s signature and the tutor’s signature affixed for each session. A template for such an invoice can be found by clicking here. Invoices are due the first Friday of each month to ensure that tutors are being paid in a timely manner for the previous month’s sessions.

Depending on the tutor/the arrangements a grantee makes with a tutor, it may be possible for Fulbright Korea to pay them directly as opposed to the grantee paying upfront and then being reimbursed. However, whether this can be arranged must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As such, please keep your program officer informed should you plan to engage a tutor.

 

 

U.S. Scholar grantees whose award periods coincide with the regular U.S. academic calendar for grades K-12 may receive a dependent tuition allowance for up to two (2) school-age dependents. U.S. Student grantees may receive a dependent tuition allowance for one (1) school-age dependent. This benefit is only available for dependents who are at least six (6) years of age at the grant start date and who will be enrolled in grades K-12.

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Korean School Enrollment

Many Fulbright grantees express interest in sending their children to Korean schools for the purpose of cultural and language immersion. Approved costs up to a maximum of KRW 5,000,000 per qualified dependent per school year will be covered if enrolling a child in a Korean public school. For Korean public schools, this allowance may be used to cover registration fees, tuition costs, and supplementary materials that address core educational subjects (e.g., math, language, science, social studies, etc.). Courses, materials, or extracurricular activities outside of core educational subjects (e.g., music, art, sports, etc.) cannot be covered under this allowance. KAEC reserves the right to determine what qualifies as appropriate supplementary materials, and therefore grantees should inquire with their program contact before making any purchases. Reimbursement will be made based on actual receipts.

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Distance Education/Home Schooling

The dependent tuition allowance may be applied to the costs of correspondence study via distance education on a receipt basis if the grantee elects such an option in lieu of formal schooling, or if formal schooling opportunities are not available at the grantee’s place of residence in Korea. The allowance may also be used for the purchase of home schooling materials, with prior approval by KAEC.

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International School Enrollment

Actual tuition costs of up to $5,000 per child per semester (max two semesters) for qualified dependents will be covered if enrolling a child in an international or foreign school. For international/foreign schools, this allowance may be used to cover school tuition and registration fees only. ​ If you have school-age dependents who will attend an international/foreign school, please be advised that space in most grades is limited at the top schools. Enrollment arrangements should be made as soon as possible as otherwise space in your first-choice school may not be available.

​Please also note that international and foreign schools are typically quite expensive. The tuition allowance is designed to offset the costs of educational expenses, not to fully cover them. As such, grantees are encouraged to explore multiple educational options. Only actual tuition and registration fee costs will be covered, on a reimbursement basis, up to the maximum amount stated.

A list of some of the international and foreign schools in Korea is provided below:

Seoul

• Asia Pacific International School
• Dulwich College – Seoul 
• Dwight School Seoul 
• Korea Foreign School 
• Korea International School
• Korea Kent Foreign School
• Seoul Foreign School 
• Yongsan International School

Incheon

• Chadwick International
• Cheongna Dalton School 

Gyeonggi

• Gyeonggi Suwon International School
• International Christian School Pyeongtaek
• International Christian School Uijeongbu
• Seoul International School

Busan

• Busan Foreign School
• International School of Busan
• Atherton International School Geoje

​Daejeon

• Taejeon Christian International School

Gwangju

• Kwangju Foreign School

Jeju

 

Fulbright grantees receive an accident and sickness health benefits plan through a group policy arranged by the United States Department of State (USDOS). The Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) is a limited health care benefits plan designed by USDOS and administered by Seven Corners, Inc. ASPE provides up to $100,000 per covered injury or sickness. Please note that the ASPE plan is NOT an insurance policy nor does it provide coverage for personal effects or the theft, loss, or damage of personal property. KAEC cannot assume liability for any medical expenses in excess of the maximum coverage or outside of the coverage provided under ASPE. ​ Further details regarding coverage can be found in the ASPE Benefits Guide. Fulbright grantees to Korea are not covered by this benefits plan outside of Korea.

Exchange participants should seek advice from their own insurance agents about the advisability of obtaining additional coverage. ASPE becomes the secondary health benefits plan if a participant has other health coverage. Please note that Fulbright grantees to Korea are not eligible for enrollment in the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) due to their special A-3-99 visa and grant status, so any additional coverage desired should likely come from either an American or an international provider.

Health and accident coverage for dependents is not included in the USDOS benefit plan nor is it provided as a benefit of a Fulbright grant to Korea. Unless dependents are already adequately provided for under an existing policy, grantees are strongly urged to obtain supplemental health benefits coverage. KAEC cannot assume liability for any medical expenses incurred by accompanying dependents of Fulbright grantees.

Direct payment of medical bills (not including co-pay) is available at only a limited number of medical facilities in Korea. For a list of these facilities, visit wellabroad.com.

In all other instances, grantees should expect to pay for any medical costs in full upfront and then submit benefit claims for reimbursement. When possible, it is recommended to confirm coverage and benefits in advance by contacting Seven Corners. Contact information for inquiries and claim submission can be found in the ASPE Benefits Guide.

Reimbursement through ASPE for approved medical claims will be sent directly via check or via wire transfer to a bank account within the U.S. Historically, reimbursement has been reliable but slow (requiring two to three months). It is the grantee’s responsibility to submit proper claims as soon as possible after receiving medical treatment. All claims should be submitted before a grantee’s official grant period ends. If submitting a claim after the grant period has ended, it may not be considered valid for processing, and thus it may not be reimbursed.

For claim forms, or to login to “My Plan” after enrollment, visit www.sevencorners.com/gov/usdos

 

 

Korean government regulations do not require any inoculations of travelers except for those arriving from a plague, yellow fever, or cholera‑affected area. HIV testing is not required for American grantees coming to Korea. Some American physicians recommend inoculations against such diseases as hepatitis, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis You should consult your own physician before deciding whether or not to obtain these or any other inoculations.

Especially in the case of accompanying children, it may be better to err on the side of caution and obtain any inoculations recommended by conservative medical practice. For children of school age, routine inoculations, such as DTP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis), MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella), polio, etc., are generally considered advisable.

Although it is best to obtain any inoculations well in advance of your departure for Korea, most inoculations are readily obtainable in Korea. It is recommended that any inoculations obtained in the U.S. be completed at least one week prior to your departure for Korea to avoid discomfort while traveling. For further inquiries about inoculations, or any other health‑related matters, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website and vaccinations list.

 

 

Over-the-counter/supplements

Regarding over-the-counter medications and supplements:

• There are pharmacies everywhere, and most common medications are available at affordable prices, including cough/cold remedies and first-aid supplies. However, aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) tend to be expensive – you might consider bringing a bottle of the pain reliever you use most often. Some medications, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen, are fairly common but may differ in dosage from their American counterparts.
• Anti-diarrheal medications, such as Pepto-Bismol, can reduce symptom severity if taken for a short period of time. Please use caution when taking anti-diarrheal medications, though, as the cause of diarrhea in Korea is often bacterial. Bacterial diarrhea may require treatment with an inexpensive antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) prescribed by a doctor. Imodium, another anti-diarrheal for bacterial cases, is not recommended as the bacteria it targets is different from that generally present in Korea.
• While adjusting to the Korean diet, some grantees have benefited from taking multi-vitamin and/or calcium supplements. There are Korean equivalents to most vitamins, but if you are looking for a particular brand, especially an American brand, be aware that the price in Korea will likely be much higher. Some searching may be required to find certain brands/supplements; an online store, such as iHerb, may be one option when purchasing supplements.
• The most common health concern in Korea grantees report pertains to allergens and fine dust that travels through Korea every winter and spring. Air quality varies across the different regions of Korea, and even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many Koreans would wear masks as a preventative measure against poor air quality. Regardless of where you are residing in Korea, please plan for some potential air quality issues, particularly if you have asthma or allergies. Pack any medication (e.g., inhalers, anti-allergens) accordingly.

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Prescriptions

If you have a prescription that you must take regularly, or if you plan to bring additional medication as a “backup,” please confirm in advance that the medication is allowed in Korea. Due to differing definitions of “controlled substances,” some medications routinely prescribed in the U.S. may not be legal in Korea. If bringing medications, make sure there is a doctor’s note or accompanying written prescription. For more information, please visit U.S. Embassy Seoul’s webpage on Medical Assistance.

Grantees who will utilize their ASPE Health Benefits Plan as primary coverage while abroad are also encouraged to reference the ASPE Benefits Guide for information on prescription coverage and mailing.

 

 

All grantees are REQUIRED to register their trip to South Korea with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP is a free service which allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the purpose of receiving alerts and assisting with emergency contact.

Benefits of enrolling in STEP include:

• Receiving important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans
• Helping the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency
• Helping family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency

Register for STEP at ​https://step.state.gov/step/

 

 

Passport

Starting July 1, 2021, the Korean Government no longer issues visas with expiration dates past the expiration date of an applicant’s passport. As such, please ensure that your passport will not expire until after the end of your award period or your visa will not be of the appropriate length.

Keep your passport immediately accessible at all times while traveling to or from Korea, and in a secure place if traveling and staying anywhere else for an extended period. Report lost or stolen passports to the local police and to the U.S. Embassy immediately. Full-validity passports can no longer be issued at U.S. embassies and consular offices abroad.

Although the passport is the only legally required form of identification, KAEC recommends that grantees bring additional forms of identification that include a recent photograph, such as a driver’s license or university ID. Grantees are recommended to keep digital scans of their passport and any IDs on their computer/phone/the cloud for easy access in case of theft/loss.

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IDs issued in Korea

After your arrival in Korea, KAEC will assist you with acquiring three additional forms of ID:

• Fulbright ID: Provided by KAEC, this identification card certifies your Fulbright Award status and provides an explanation for the terms of your stay in Korean. A photocopy of this ID is sent to Immigration as verification of your award and the dates of your award. Grantees are recommended to carry the Fulbright ID with them while in Korea.
• Residence Card (외국인등록증): The Residence Card (previously known as the Alien Registration Card or ARC) is, for all intents and purposes, a foreigner ID number. It is frequently utilized (and may be required) when making online transactions on Korean websites, setting up a bank account, or obtaining a cell phone in Korea. KAEC will collect completed Residence Card applications from grantees and submit them to Immigration on their behalf. Processing a Residence Card application may take 6-8 weeks to complete. The Residence Card must be returned to Immigration prior to departure at the conclusion of the grant or a fine may be assessed. To apply for a Residence Card, grantees will need to fill out a form, as well as provide the following items:

1. 1. 3 cm x 4 cm color passport photo (one for each individual applying for a Residence Card)
   2. U.S. passport

• ASPE Health Benefits Card/Letter: KAEC will register grantees with the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE). You will receive your ASPE Health Benefits card/letter shortly after arrival in Korea. Grantees should keep their ASPE card on them at all times. It is advised to also keep a digital file (a photo/scan) of your ASPE card in an easily accessible online location.

 

 

The Fulbright Program in Korea operates under the authority of a bi-national agreement between the governments of the Republic of Korea and the United States. This agreement entitles Fulbright Korea grantees to an A-3 “agreement” visa status.

The A-3 is a special visa, which permits a stay in Korea for the full period of a Fulbright award without requiring visa extension requests or other administrative procedures. The A-3 visa status also reflects the “official” nature of a Fulbright grantee’s sojourn in Korea. Thus, Fulbright grantees must operate on an A-3 Visa, and more specifically, an A-3-99 Fulbright Agreement Visa, while in Korea.

The A-3-99 exempts grantees from the provisions of Korea’s residence control law, meaning a grantee is not required to apply for or obtain a Residence Card, report any changes of address to the local authorities, or request routine extensions of stay every six months. The status also prohibits grantees from engaging in unauthorized activities while in Korea. Therefore, please consult with KAEC prior to engaging in any new ventures.

A-3-99 visas must be applied for within 90 days of the expected date of entry. Earlier applications will not be accepted.

Since July 1, 2021, the Korean Government no longer issues visas with expiration dates past the expiration date of an applicant’s passport. As such, please ensure that your passport will not expire until after the end of your award period or your visa will not be of the appropriate length.

Irrespective of the expiration date/period of stay printed on your visa, your visa officially ends on the last day of your award period, as set in conjunction with KAEC. There is a 30-day grace period built in at the end of the grant, after which one must either leave the country or secure a new visa. One should not plan to reenter Korea on the A-3 visa within that 30-day period. Fulbright grantees who plan to stay in Korea after the termination of their grant for more than 30 days should contact the Immigration Office for information on changing visa statuses.

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An overview of the visa application process is provided below. DO NOT attempt to apply for an A-3-99 visa before being instructed to do so by KAEC via email. Because the A-3-99 visa is a special agreement visa, KAEC must submit grantee information to the consulates in order for you to be eligible to apply.

Application Overview:

1. Locate the Korean consulate for your region (list linked here).

2. Visit the website of your regional consulate and carefully read the visa application submission instructions for your consulate. It is highly recommended that you call your regional consulate in advance to confirm application documentation requirements.

3. Fill out a visa application (there is no fee to apply).

4. Submit your completed application materials to your regional consulate. Reference the checklist for a list of commonly required documents that you may need to submit in order for your application to be considered complete.

5. Wait for your visa to be processed (processing times vary).

6. Depending on the consulate, your issued visa may either be represented by a sticker inside your passport or a separate e-visa which can be printed. Inform your KAEC program officer that you have received your visa once it is issued.

 

 

Round-trip economy-class travel between the grantee’s home of record and Korea will be provided by KAEC. Any restrictions on this benefit will be detailed in a grantee’s Fulbright Award Authorization.

Travel benefits may be provided for one (1) primary dependent of a Fulbright U.S. Scholar whose award is for a full academic year or ten (10) months. This travel benefit is available only if the dependent will remain in Korea for 80% or more of the official grant period, as established with KAEC. No travel benefits are available for dependents of Fulbright U.S. Students. Irrespective of travel benefit status, flight arrangements for dependents may still be made through KAEC’s partnering travel agency, Miju Travel.

Round-trip tickets must be used within one (1) year of arrival in Korea. Grantees whose intended stay in Korea exceeds one year from the date of arrival to the date of departure must notify KAEC well in advance of their departure plans. Grantees who fail to provide sufficient advance notice will lose their travel benefits. Those who provide sufficient advance notice may be able to receive partial reimbursement for the ticket cost of the return leg. However, please note that this reimbursement will be significantly less than the original cost of the ticket.

At KAEC’s instruction, grantees will contact Miju Travel to finalize their flight itineraries. Within the limitations of the guidelines stated in the Award Authorization document, and Terms & Conditions, grantees may make voluntary changes to their itinerary prior to departing for Korea. However, these voluntary changes must be approved by KAEC and are permitted on the condition that any additional charges are the responsibility of the grantee. Grantees must fly with American or Korean carriers.

Please note that grantees are required to arrive in Korea on a business day; arrivals on weekends and holidays are not allowed.

 

 

The following are some suggested items to bring to Korea. This list is by no means exhaustive of all you or your dependents may need. However, it is provided as a reference.

Please note that you should bring with you anything you will need immediately in Korea (within the first few days).

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Documents to bring:

• Passport & printed visa
• Second form of photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, university ID, etc.)
• Printed copy of your Fulbright Award Document and Award Letter
• Korean cash (for transportation, or emergencies)
• ASPE letter and/or personal insurance card (ASPE letter to be issued by KAEC)
• 1 passport photo (for your Residence Card application after arrival)
• Copies of medical prescriptions (particularly if bringing medication into Korea) and insurance cards (if insured)
• Copy of eye glass/contact lens prescription (if applicable)
• Optional: International Driver’s License (if you plan to drive in Korea)
• Other: _________________

If traveling with dependents, please also bring:

• Printed copy of marriage certificate
• Printed copy of children’s birth certificates
• 1 passport photo for each dependent who will be applying for a Residence Card

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Items to bring:

Clothing, Shoes & Toiletries: Be conscious of size differences when it comes to clothing in Korea. Even if you may be considered “average” in the U.S. (e.g., size 12 for women), it may be difficult to find clothes that fit. Although “free” size clothing is common in Korea and international stores, like H&M, carry international sizes, if you are above average in any way (e.g., height, weight, bust, etc.), consider packing all of the necessary clothing for your stay in Korea.

Concerning shoes, Korean shoes are based on millimeters. For women, you may have a difficult time finding shoes bigger than a U.S. Size 8 (250 in Korean size); men’s sizes typically go up to a U.S. Size 10.5 (285). Korean shoes also tend to run slightly narrower.

• Preferred clothing
• Shoes (some Korean restaurants and most Korean housing is “shoes-off;” you may want to consider the ease of getting any footwear on and off when deciding which shoes to bring)
• Travel-sized toiletries
• Toothpaste (toothpaste in Korea generally does not have flouride in it)
• Deodorant (not as much variety in Korea)
• Large bath towel (if desired: bath towels in Korea tend to be smaller)
• Shout! wipes/Tide-to-Go pens (or other handy stain remover for those moments of red-pepper-paste-induced anxiety)
• Products for non-Asian hair and makeup for darker or pinker skin tones (if desired)
• For women: Larger-absorbency pads and tampons or other menstrual products such as menstrual cups, which are becoming easier to find in Korea but lack the variety and cost-effectiveness from home (regular-absorbency pads and tampons are common but tampons are more expensive than in the U.S.)
• For women: A sufficient number of bras (Korean bras are typically only available up to a B cup)

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Health:

• Thermometer
• Basic medications such as painkillers, antacids, anti-allergens, and sleeping pills
• Necessary nutritional supplements (multivitamins, tablets, etc.)

Electronics:

• Plug adapters for Korean wall sockets
• Unlocked cellphone compatible with Korean SIM cards
• Laptop computer (if a Mac, also bring converter cables; Korea tends to be a PC country)
• External hard drive or flash drive/USB drive (to back up your work while in Korea)

Misc (Comfort/Hobbies):

• American snacks
• Costco card (most Korean branches accept U.S. membership cards)
• U.S. library card with pin number (if your library offers e-books, you could still use the card from Korea; books tend to be expensive in Korea and libraries/bookstores may have limited English-language sections)
• Hiking gear (if desired: very popular in Korea but quite expensive; sizing can also be an issue)
• Playing cards or other board/card games (if desired: tend to be more expensive in Korea and/or only written in Korean)

Gifts: Gift giving is very important in Korean culture. As such, it is recommend that you prepare a small gift for your affiliate(s) in Korea. In general, the thought counts more than the gift. Suggestions for possible gifts include:

• Famous products from your hometown/state
• Calendars or postcards from your hometown/state
• Pens, mugs, or other small souvenir-type items for your hometown/state/university
• Sports paraphernalia (t-shirts, caps, mugs, etc.) from your university or a professional team
• U.S. chocolates/candies, dried fruits, or your favorite snacks
• Nice coffee grounds/beans, honey, tea (be aware that many people typically drink instant coffee and thus may not have a grinder or coffee maker)
• Vitamins or other well-being/health goods (these tend to be more expensive in Korea)

If you are short on luggage space, you can also buy gifts in Korea.

Regardless of where you purchase gifts or what the gift is, presentation is important. Gifts should be nicely arranged/wrapped (if packing gifts, you can pack them unwrapped and then buy wrapping items in Korea).

Although it may be a nice gesture to bring the gift to your first meeting with your affiliate(s), giving a gift can wait until a subsequent meeting if you do not have time to prepare in advance.

 

 

U.S. Grantees are highly encouraged to download and create an account with the KakaoTalk messaging application before arriving in Korea. This free application enables users to text and call domestically and internationally over Wi-Fi/data to other KakaoTalk users. While most people in South Korea use their phone service for calling, KakaoTalk has become the most popular and widely used standard for text messages. Almost everyone you encounter in South Korea will have and use KakaoTalk.

KakaoTalk will be used by KAEC staff to communicate quickly with grantees who do not have SIM cards. KakaoTalk can be downloaded on both a computer and smartphone (only one phone per account).

To sign up, it is recommended that grantees use their email address so all contacts will be saved when transferring the application between phones. Those grantees who are unable to bring a smartphone to South Korea should download KakaoTalk on their computers and make an account so they will be able to log into it after they arrive. Click here for the KakaoTalk webpage.