Korean Job Discussion Forums

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

My latest hobby horse. As you now it's often bank policy to deny these to foreigners, and it varies from bank to bank, branch to branch.

Please answer the question and comment when and where.

For me it's yes, from a KEB in Bundang (Jeongja) in 2005, and I got a replacement in Gwangju in 2007. My girlfriend was denied one at a Gwangju Bank in spite of being a customer for two years. Makes trying to travel on break a pain in the ass.

nomad-ish · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:13 am Post subject:

i tried last year, no dice. this year, i'm fighting a losing battle trying to get internet banking Confused

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

Yes. I got one as a replacement for my old Korea only debit/atm card from Shinhan earlier this year without asking for it.

heynice · Joined: 15 Jan 2008

If you can't figure out how to get the card, you probably haven't tried hard enough. Just go up to the counter and ask for one...
It doesn't take more than a week to process.

inthewild · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Location: Korea

Woori Bank has always denied me an international card, I've tried 4 branches at least.

Nonghyup gave me one last year. But then I lost my wallet, tried to get a new one and they said their policy changed so they stopped offering them to foreigners...

I was denied one from the KB by Hakdong Station but the KB east of the station, halfway to GangnamGu Chong Station, has issued me 2 this year. One teller told me it would work internationally. Then I went to the States, it didn't work, came back and complained, and another teller told me those cards worked internationally for Koreans only.

I had no trouble getting online banking set up with all 3 banks.

I've read in another thread that they can be gotten reliably around Itaewon but I've never went in to check.

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

Just get an account at KEB bank....only problem is a lack of locations and ATMs...

KB bank gave me internet banking but refused an international card...other than that they were pretty awesome....I'm still switching to KEB.

inthewild · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Location: Korea

definitely maybe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

keb and ibk. keb should be good to go most places. i know that the dongbu ichon-dong and jongno 2/3-ga (ybm building) ibk branches are very foreign friendly too. got my original ibk international card in donam-dong, and i have replaced lost cards at the two ibk branches i listed above.

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

I carry a debit card and a credit card from my home country. My wife does the banking in Korea. The last time I was here for eight years and was completely off the radar. When I returned it was difficult because I had no credit.

We plan on staying in Korea for about ten years this time and I want to maintain a credit history for when (if) we go back.

Keep up your credit history at home a tell the local banks to take a flying leap. Just use a bank from your home county for your traveling needs.

Jeff's Cigarettes · Joined: 27 Mar 2007

Got two...KEB & KB.

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

After thought:

With internet banking it is so easy to maintain your accounts, I can understand wanting a local branch for some things, but why put up with the lack of interest here when it benefits you to maintain an account or two back home as well?

lorenchristopher · Joined: 25 Dec 2007

I don't have one. I've tried twice with Shinhan bank (Godeok branch) and they denied me both times. I went with a Korean both times too and they flat out said, "No....it's not possible." My boss told me it had something to do with the fact that they have to run a credit check first in order to issue a debit card (????), and they can't run credit checks on foreigners.

I know is a bunch of bologni cuz I've met other foreigners with Shinhan accounts who have int'l debit cards. I need to go to another branch and try.

Riddle · Joined: 19 Jul 2006

I got my Shinhan International card in Mokdong near the Yangcheon district office and I'm going to test it out this week when I go back to the States. I also helped a buddy get one. When he tried to get a replacement at a different branch though they denied him. It's like a smack in the face.

movybuf · Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Location: Mokdong

radioed · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Location: Cheonho/Gangdong

To answer the OP's question, I picked up my international SC card from the branch near Busan Station about 6 months ago and it worked overseas.
I recently picked up a KEB global card a week ago at the branch in downtown Gwangju and will check to see if it works when I go on vacation next week. Funny thing was that there was another foreigner there complaining about not getting an international atm card, but the guy didn't bring his passport which is required to open one.
Anyways, both times I got the cards, it was hassle free, I just went to the foreign exchange tellers and usually the male reps. spoke English.