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Americans in Seoul

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Seoul as an American, and how it fits with your US taxes, money and paperwork.

Official US

Embassy

U.S. Embassy Seoul

US diplomatic mission to South Korea: passports, citizen services, visas

188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Website · Map · +82 2 397 4114

Your community group

ExpatStateside South Korea: Americans in South Korea

Free group for Americans in South Korea: questions, tips, meetups, Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl.

Opening soon

Vote from SeoulRegister and request your ballot with one form, the FPCA. Send a new one every January.

How to vote

Seoul Partners

Global partner · online

The emotional move

A move abroad changes more than your address. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Book a first conversation

Katharina Bergauer

innsichtEintragungsnummer: 17784

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Your business here: partner in Seoul

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Guides for life in Seoul

Basics

Cost of living in Seoul vs Los Angeles: where your dollars stretch

Seoul's monthly rent and subway fares look cheap next to LA, but the deposit and imported groceries bite. Here's the side-by-side, with official numbers from both countries.

Basics

Your alien registration card in Korea: the 90-day deadline and what comes after

Staying in Korea longer than 90 days means registering with immigration. Here's the deadline, what to bring, what it costs, and the 15-day rules that trip people up later.

Basics

Phone and identity verification in Korea: why every app wants your number, and how to pass

In Korea your phone number is your ID. Here's how Americans get a plan that passes identity checks, what breaks verification, and how to keep a US number.

Money and work

South Korean taxes for Americans: the 19% option, residency and your US return

Korea taxes you once you're resident, and Uncle Sam never stops. Here's how the two systems fit together, including Korea's 19% option for foreign employees.

Money and work

Banking in South Korea as an American: from limited account to fully banked

Korean banks will open your account, but at first it comes with training wheels. Here's how Americans in Seoul get from a capped account to full banking.

Money and work

Korea's National Pension and the lump-sum refund: what Americans pay in and how to get it back

Americans working in Korea pay into the National Pension. Thanks to the US-Korea agreement, you can usually get it back as a lump sum when you leave. Here's how.

Home

Renting in Seoul: big deposits, small studios and how to protect your money

In Seoul the deposit is the deal. Here's where Americans live, how to find an apartment, what a lease looks like, and the two filings that protect your deposit.

Home

Jeonse and wolse: how Seoul's giant rental deposits work, and how to protect yours

In Seoul you can pay a huge deposit and no rent, or a smaller deposit plus monthly rent. Either way, your deposit needs protecting. Here's how jeonse, wolse and the paperwork work.

Moving and visas

Moving to Seoul as an American: the visa routes that actually work

Americans can land in Seoul visa-free for 90 days, but staying means picking the right visa. Here are the realistic routes, plus a to-do list for your first month.

Moving and visas

Teaching English in Korea on the E-2 visa: what Americans need, step by step

The E-2 is how Americans teach English in Korea. Here's what to bring from home, how the FBI check and apostille work, and which contracts to walk away from.

Health

Healthcare in Seoul: how Americans see a doctor, find English care and handle an emergency

Seoul has some of the best hospitals in Asia and short waits. Here's how Americans find English-speaking care, use pharmacies and get help fast in an emergency.

Health

National Health Insurance in Korea: who must join, what it costs, and why it matters for your visa

After six months in Korea, health insurance isn't optional. Here's how employee and regional coverage work, what the 2026 premiums look like, and how unpaid bills can follow you to immigration.

Schools and study

Schools in Seoul: international schools, Korean public schools and what Americans pay

Seoul has dozens of foreign schools, many on a US model, but the fees come in two currencies. Here's what American families pay and what the other options look like.

Schools and study

Learning Korean in Seoul: university institutes, free classes, KIIP and the TOPIK

From full-time university institutes to free weekend classes, here's how Americans learn Korean in Seoul, what it costs in 2026 and which tests matter.

Getting around

Driving in South Korea with a US license, and getting around Seoul without one

Your US license won't work on its own in Korea, but an IDP and a trip to the license office will. Or skip the car: Seoul's subway is one of the best deals in town.

Getting around

Naver Map, Kakao and getting around Seoul: the apps that replace Google Maps and Uber

Google Maps won't get you far in Seoul yet. Here's how Americans get around with Naver Map, Kakao Map, Kakao T taxis, a T-money card and KakaoTalk.

Community

American life in Seoul: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and a night at Jamsil

Seoul's American community runs from English teachers to executives to Korean Americans coming home. Here's where to find it: holidays, ballgames, churches, clubs and politics on both sides.

Community

The US military community in Seoul: from Yongsan to Camp Humphreys, and what civilians can use

Most of the US military left Seoul for Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. Here's where the community lives now, what SOFA status covers and what's open to other Americans.

Going out

American food in Seoul: burgers, sports bars, Costco runs and Thanksgiving turkey

Seoul now has Chipotle, Five Guys and a giant Costco. Here's where Americans watch the Super Bowl on a Monday morning and track down a Thanksgiving turkey.

Going out

Nightlife in Seoul: Itaewon, Hongdae, Gangnam and the ride home

Seoul stays up late and feels safe doing it. Here's how the big nightlife districts differ, where live music lives, how to get home after the subway stops, and what to know about crowds.

America in Seoul

The embassy or consulate, business groups, clubs, sport, schools, churches and a taste of home. Checked 2026-11; tell us if something has changed.

Official US

Embassy

U.S. Embassy Seoul

US diplomatic mission to South Korea: passports, citizen services, visas

188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Website · Map · +82 2 397 4114

Fulbright

Korean-American Educational Commission (Fulbright Korea)

Binational commission running the Fulbright exchange program between the US and Korea

23 Baekbeom-ro 28-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04156

Website · Map · +82 2 3275 4000 · admin@fulbright.or.kr

EducationUSA

EducationUSA Korea

US State Department advising center for studying in the United States

Fulbright Building, 23 Baekbeom-ro 28-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04156

Website · Map · +82 2 3275 4011 · korea@educationusa.org

Business and networking

Chamber

American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM Korea)

US business association in Korea since 1953; events, policy advocacy, networking

50th Floor, Three IFC, 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07326

Website · Map · membership@amchamkorea.org · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

Clubs and associations

Veterans

American Legion Col. Lewis L. Millett Memorial Post 38

First American Legion post in South Korea (chartered 2015); monthly meetings in Mapo and on Zoom

Mapo-gu, Seoul

Map

Scouting

Scouting America Far East Council, Phoenix District

Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America) council for US families in Asia; its Phoenix District covers South Korea; unit finder and contact form online

Website · Map · membership@fareastcouncil.org

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side for information. We are nonpartisan.

Party group

Democrats Abroad Republic of Korea (DAROK)

Official Democratic Party country committee for US citizens in Korea, with a Seoul chapter

Website · Map

Party group

Republicans Overseas

Republican-aligned organization for Americans living abroad; voter engagement and overseas-tax advocacy

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X

American sport

League

Seoul Baseball League (SBL)

Fast-pitch amateur baseball league open to players of all nationalities and skill levels

Seoul

Website · Map · theseoulbaseballleague@gmail.com · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

Schools and universities

School

Seoul Foreign School

International school founded in 1912; WASC-accredited, IB and British programs

39 Yeonhui-ro 22-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03723

Website · Map · +82 2 330 3100 · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

School

Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS)

WASC-accredited Christian international school with AP courses and SAT testing

285 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04347

Website · Map · +82 2 797 5104 · admissions@yisseoul.org

School

Dwight School Seoul

Seoul campus of the New York-based Dwight Schools network; IB curriculum

21 World Cup Buk-ro 62-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03919

Website · Map · +82 2 6920 8600

School

Seoul International School (SIS)

American curriculum with AP and AP Capstone, K-12; WASC-accredited; in Seongnam, just southeast of Seoul

15 Seongnam-daero 1518beon-gil, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13113

Website · Map · +82 31 750 1200 · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

School

Korea International School (KIS), Pangyo campus

International PK-12 program with 26 AP courses; WASC and CIS accredited; in Pangyo (Seongnam), south of Seoul

27 Daewangpangyo-ro 385beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13543

Website · Map · +82 31 789 0509 · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

School

Korea Kent Foreign School (KKFS)

AP-based program from kindergarten through high school; WASC-accredited

13 Jayang-ro 35-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 04933

Website · Map · +82 2 2201 7091 · kkfs@kkfs.org

School

Asia Pacific International School (APIS)

College-preparatory K-12 school (entry from K4) with a sister school in Hawaii; requires two East Asian languages

57 Wolgye-ro 45ga-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01874

Website · Map · +82 2 907 2747 · apis@apis.org · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

US university campus

University of Utah Asia Campus

University of Utah campus at Incheon Global Campus in Songdo (Incheon, about an hour from central Seoul): bachelor's majors, a Master of Communication and semester study abroad

119-3 Songdo Moonhwa-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21985

Website · Map · +82 32 626 6000 · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

School

Korea International School (KIS), Seoul campus

Elementary campus of KIS, PK-Grade 5; English-medium international program; KIS is WASC and CIS accredited

408 Gaepo-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06324

Website · Map · +82 2 3496 0509 · eyinfo@kis.or.kr · Instagram

School

Saint Paul Preparatory Seoul (SPPS)

American-curriculum college-prep program (AP, SAT/ACT prep); registered as a hagwon (private academy), not a licensed foreign school

14-8 Seochojungang-ro 31-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06593

Website · Map · +82 2 3486 2000 · info@stpaulseoul.org

US university campus

SUNY Korea (State University of New York, Korea)

Stony Brook University and Fashion Institute of Technology degree programs at Incheon Global Campus in Songdo (Incheon, about an hour from central Seoul)

119-2 Songdo Munhwa-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21985

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

US university campus