Study in Korea

회원로그인
  • 스터디K
  • 유학생활
  • 생활정보

Residential life

In order to study in Korea, you need to find a place of abode. There are many types of residential environments in the country, and the types of residences are divided according to the types of conditions and types of contracting.

Korea has a well-developed system for finding the housing with the living environment and contract terms that are right for you, and the system is linked to mobile apps that you can download. Before signing a housing contract after examining the information available online, however, we recommend visiting the place in person to confirm the conditions of the dwelling once again.

Housing-related terms

Deposit
  • This refers to a certain amount paid by the tenant to the landlord when signing a jeonse or a monthly rent contract.
  • In general, the deposit varies depending on the total deposit, monthly rent, jeonse amount, and circumstances.
  • If the tenant causes damage to the property or fails to pay the monthly rent during the rental period, the deposit serves as collateral that can be used by the landlord as compensation.
Monthly rent
  • An arrangement wherein a certain amount of money is provided as deposit in advance, a certain amount (rent) is paid each month, and the deposit is returned when the contract period expires.
Jeonse
  • The term used to denote an arrangement where a house or real estate is leased for a long period of time.
  • In a jeonse, the tenant pays the landlord a one-time lump sum and leases the house for the corresponding period of time.
  • Upon expiration of the period, the deposit is usually returned.
  • Although tenants have to pay more for jeonse than monthly rent, they are not burdened with paying monthly rents for a fixed period of time.
  • Most universities operate their own dormitories.
    Dormitories are located on the university campus or relatively close to the university, making it convenient for students to commute to school and allowing them to room and board at a relatively low cost.
    Furthermore, dormitories have auxiliary facilities such as library, computer room, and dining room that provide convenience to students.
    However, dormitories are spaces shared by many people, so rules for the residents tend to be pretty strict in order to protect privacy.
    Dormitory rooms that students can choose from are typically single rooms, double rooms, or quadruple rooms. Since the admission conditions and residency costs of dormitories differ by school, prospective students are advised to contact the school and inquire about the dormitories.

  • Boarding is a form of housing where an ordinary family provides room and board and the tenant pays a monthly rent.
    Boarding is a great opportunity to experience Korean family culture, but it is not easy to guard personal privacy when living with several people.
    There are many families near school campuses that offer boarding in their homes. It is advisable to visit them in person and examine the living environment and the monthly rent before making your decision.

  • A foreign student changing his or her place of residency must report the fact to the head of the city, country/gu/eup/meyon government, or branch office of the Korean Immigration Service having jurisdiction over the new place of residence within 15 days of the move-in date. Before filing this report, the foreign student must be registered as an alien; such filing can also be done by a person who can file alien registration on behalf of a foreign student. The documents to be submitted are change of residency statement, copy of the lease agreement or sales agreement, and other documents designated by the Minister of Justice to serve as proof of change of residence along with the alien registration card.
    (Article 36 (1) and (2) and Article 79 (7) of the Immigration Control Act, first half of Article 45 (1) of its Enforcement Decree, and Article 89 and Article 49-3 of its Enforcement Rules Paragraph 2)
    ※ In this case, the move-in report can be made using the information and communication network determined by the Minister of Justice (latter part of Article 45 (1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act)