Korean Job Discussion Forums

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

I got mine from the KEB near Jeongja Station, Bundang, back in 2005. They asked me if I wanted an international one and I said yes and paid the extra thousand won or whatever. When it wore out the next year I got it replaced at the KEB in downtown Gwangju, no problem.

Mind you I'm not vouching for either of those two places, because we all know bank policy varies from branch to branch, teller to teller, day to day.

sojukettle · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: Not there, HERE!

I have one from KEB, from 2005. It has worked in every country I have tried ( 9 so far)

I also got one from Woori bank at the same time but it never worked.
I recently tried to get a Woori International ATM card again, as back-up, and all was going well with filling in the right forms and getting ready to do the business when it came up on the screen that I had an International card from KEB. ( banking confidentiality????!!!)
'Apparently', there is a rule that only one account can be international so if I wanted a Woori Int ATM Card I would have to transfer my international business to them ( ATM Card, transfers, remiittances, etc).

I said 'Korea Sparkling eh" and left.
Still happy with KEB - but never 100% confident that I will be able to withdraw money overseas. So far so good. ( touch wood)

sk

ewok · Joined: 27 May 2007

Busan, Haeundae, Korea First Bank, monday morning, 2006

me: can i get an international atm card?
teller #1: no. foreigner. bad. no card for you. only domestic.

Busan, Haeundae, KOrea First Bank, tuesday afternoon, 2006

me: can i get an international atm card?
teller #2: sure. here it is. no extra charge.

Busan, Haeundae, KFB, six months later

me: I lost my international atm card. can I get another one?

tellers #1,2,3, and manager: no.

there's your answer.

calicoe · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Location: South Korea

I just got one at KEB in Wonju. Haven't been abroad yet, but leaving on Friday. I have cash, and I think I'm going to take out extra in traveller's checks, just in case.

I'll let you know, but the lack of banking confidence really sucks. It almost defeats the purpose of having a card if you can't rely on it.

call_the_shots · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

I have ATM cards that work overseas from KEB, KB, and Pusan Bank. Your best best is probably KEB, as they seem to give international ATM cards to anyone. As for the other banks, whether you can get an international ATM card probably depends on the particular branch and the particular bank teller.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Helps if you're a regular and they know you. Like many other things in Korea.

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

Also helps if you flirt with the bank teller Cool

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

KEB, Ulsan - September 2008

I was opening my account. I told the teller I needed a card that would work overseas. He said ok. I got the card. It clearly states on the back in clear English that it can be used overseas. I tested it in Thailand. It works.

diver · Joined: 16 Jun 2003

One poster will tell you that you can get one no problem.

One poster will tell you that you can't get one because you are a foreigner.

One poster will tell you that the bank will promise you your international ATM card will work but that when you travel you will find out they are lying.

One poster will tell you KEB will give you one.

One poster will tell you KEB will NOT give you one.

One poster will tell you SC First will give you one.

One poster will tell you SC First will NOT give you one.

One poster will tell you that on an F-visa holder can get one.

The beauty of Korea? None of the above posters would be lying to you.

Snowflake · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

http://www.keb.co.kr/netc/en/expat/service.html

KEB all the way! Quote:

"KEB Expat Cards - Various Expat Cards, also you can bank with a debit card anywhere by using ATM and access your cash globally"

They seem to actually want foreign business (as opposed to my experience of KB).

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

Standard Chartered in Itaewon gave me one, no problems with it in a couple countries so far.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Banks cite non-existent law on expat cards
By Kim Soe-jung and Park Yeon-soo, JoongAng Daily (January 28, 2008)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2885625

livinginkunsan · Joined: 02 Dec 2006

I tried last year at
1. KB
2. KEB
3. Worri

and no luck. My wife came with me so there was no confusion. They simply said it was because I was a foreigner.. we talked to the bank manager in all those banks as well. They seemed confused with the fact that I just didn't use my wife's card.

slothrop · Joined: 03 Feb 2003