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Current credit card status for foreigners?

 
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pidgin



Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:19 pm    Post subject: Current credit card status for foreigners? Reply with quote

Anyone know how likely it is to get a Korean issued C.C.??

I googled and found some 5 year old threads...

I've been told you must put down a hefty deposit as an E2 holder, but what about F-2s and beyond??

I'm American, 37... standard teacher's wage (2 years w/ same company, new contract just signed) F-2 visa status.

I am curious about E-2s ability to get one too, tho I just recently got an F-2.

thanks.
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pandemic902



Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Location: Dorim-dong, Seoul

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well both my E-2 self and my E-2 GF have one thru 농협 but it's secured...i.e. you pay the FULL balance off each billing period. We both make the same salary but I have a higher limit than her (guess your credit rating matters).

As an F-2 you should have zero problems especially as you have an in-house translator Wink
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pidgin



Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ahh...thanks for the reply.

I don't really need a translator Wink but I do need a decent credit card company that will give foreigners CREDIT at fair interest (rather than total pay-off limits or deposits).
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Atavistic



Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Samsung will give one to public school teachers and a few other groups. I got one, no problem. I should note that I paid it off in full every month because that's the way I use credit cards.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

E2 or F2 AND working at a hakwon = security deposit required (they don't trust your employer).

E2 or F2 and PS,l public university or corporation and you CAN get an unsecured card from LG, Samsung or possibly KEB (credit worthiness test).

The security deposits that foreigners usually have to leave at banks are 110% of the credit limit. The money is put into a term deposit (right now at about 5.5%APR) and used as security for your card.

Korean credit cards are NOT revolving credit like at home. They USUALLY require you to pay the balance in full each month. The exception would be larger purchases that you indicate at the time of purchase you want to pay over time. The interest rate varies from 12%-28.8% depending on the card and type of purchase.

.
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big_fella1



Joined: 08 Dec 2005

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My understanding is that all foreigners are subject to a more stringent check than Koreans. The credit rating of your employer will be used if you work for a private company so while your Korean colleagues may be able to get a credit card you may not. Samsung, KEB will accept you if you work for a government body, KOSPI listed, KOSDAQ listed company, or a list of others ( I tried to claim to be a professional sports person) but I was declined due to my companies credit rating. Of course this is Korea, you will get a different answer depending on where/who you ask but you know this Smile
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gteacher



Joined: 24 May 2007
Location: Ghost in the machine

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttompatz wrote:

Korean credit cards are NOT revolving credit like at home. They USUALLY require you to pay the balance in full each month. The exception would be larger purchases that you indicate at the time of purchase you want to pay over time. The interest rate varies from 12%-28.8% depending on the card and type of purchase.

.


ttompatz has hit the nail on the head here. All Koreans pay the full card off each month. however, when you purchase an item you are able to divide out the payments over X# of months. If your a smart shopper they usually have a 3-6 month interest free period. So divide the payment over the interest free period and manage your funds.

I also believe that the KEB Expat Card will give you the option of creating a revolving credit card like back home IF you have a good enough credit rating.
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Young FRANKenstein



Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)

PostPosted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttompatz wrote:
E2 or F2 and PS,l public university or corporation and you CAN get an unsecured card from LG, Samsung or possibly KEB (credit worthiness test).

KEB for sure. They have a credit card specifically for foreigners. Can't remember offhand what's it's called, but I just got the regular KEB card. Shinhan is another one for unsecured cards.
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thematrixiam



Joined: 31 Oct 2007

PostPosted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd be curious if you can just have a current card transfered over.

I have a visa from canada and I use it in korea. Maybe you can call around and just ask them to change the currency or switch it to a korean company. But not sure if it's possible.
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cdpak



Joined: 30 Dec 2007

PostPosted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:08 am    Post subject: re: Reply with quote

I just got turned down for a Samsung card even though I work for a ps through SMOE. They said they don't issue credit cards to temporary workers. What a bunch of bs...
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superdave



Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: over there ----->

PostPosted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Young FRANKenstein wrote:
ttompatz wrote:
E2 or F2 and PS,l public university or corporation and you CAN get an unsecured card from LG, Samsung or possibly KEB (credit worthiness test).

KEB for sure. They have a credit card specifically for foreigners. Can't remember offhand what's it's called, but I just got the regular KEB card. Shinhan is another one for unsecured cards.


i was told by KEB that the card required a 2 million won deposit. i ain't paying that ...

i have a lot of money in my account, and i want an unsecured card. i trust them with my money, so f.uck them, they can trust me.

anyone know a reliable bank with unsecured cards??
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

banks don't trust foreigners who work as teachers.

Samsung or LG if you want an unsecured card.

.
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diver



Joined: 16 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttompatz wrote:
banks don't trust foreigners who work as teachers.

Samsung or LG if you want an unsecured card.

.


...and don't work at a hakwon...

I am an F-2 working four different places (legally, non of them public schools or universities) and make about 3 times what my friends at PS jobs make. They qualify for unsecured cards, I don't <shrug>

That being said, I have a secured card that I use for things like reservations and online shopping...so I don't worry too much about the limit. And it *IS* kind of nice to know that the card will always be covered in the event of unexpected 'bad times'.
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