FAQ – Prepaid SIM Cards

A prepaid SIM card allows you to use a Korean mobile number, mobile data, domestic calls, and text messages without signing a long-term mobile contract.

The data allowance, calling service, and validity period depend on the plan selected.

Yes. KoreaUSIM prepaid phone plans include a Korean mobile number.

Depending on the selected plan, the service may include:

• Korean mobile number
• Domestic calls
• Domestic SMS
• Mobile data
• Recharge and service extension

Please check the individual product page for exact plan details.

SKT SIM Cards

SKT prepaid SIM cards are compatible with most carrier-unlocked iPhones and Android smartphones that support the required Korean network bands.

Your device must:

• Be carrier-unlocked
• Support the required Korean mobile network bands
• Accept a physical SIM card when purchasing a physical SIM plan

LG U+ Physical SIM Cards

LG U+ physical prepaid SIM cards are supported only on carrier-unlocked:

• Apple iPhones
• Samsung Galaxy smartphones

Smartphones from other manufacturers are not supported for LG U+ prepaid SIM service.

LG U+ Prepaid eSIM

LG U+ prepaid eSIM conversion is available only on compatible Apple iPhones. Android devices are not supported.

Before selecting eSIM, dial *#06# and confirm that an EID is displayed.

Yes. The LG U+ 59,000 KRW plan includes up to 20 minutes of international calling per day.

Please check the product page for all other plan details.

Yes. The purchaser and the actual SIM user do not need to be the same person.

However, please provide the actual user's information with their consent:

• Full name
• Passport or eligible ID information
• Arrival date and time
• Arrival terminal
• Nationality
• Device model, if requested

All activation documents must contain the information of the actual person who will use the SIM.

Yes. You can order a prepaid SIM after arriving in Korea.

Depending on your location, document status, and available receiving method, KoreaUSIM may arrange domestic delivery or another available option.

If domestic delivery is arranged, the required passport / ID scan must first meet the document requirements for prepaid SIM preparation and activation.

The KoreaUSIM office is not a general prepaid SIM pickup location. Office visits are intended for customers who need document scanning or other specific assistance.

If an office visit is necessary, please contact KoreaUSIM in advance.

The conditions depend on the customer's nationality.

Korean-National Minors

A Korean-national minor cannot activate a prepaid phone service under their own name.

The service must be activated under the name of a Korean-national parent or legal guardian.

A data-only eSIM may also be used as a temporary alternative.

Foreign-National Minors

Foreign-national minors may activate a prepaid SIM using their valid foreign passport, subject to the carrier's identity verification requirements.

Yes. Korean nationals may apply for an eligible prepaid SIM product.

A valid Korean passport is required for activation.

Korean customers must also be registered in the NICE real-name verification database before activation.

If the final seven digits of the resident registration number are not shown in the passport, they may need to be provided separately through a private support channel.

Prepaid phone activation requires real-name verification through the NICE identity database.

Your name and resident registration information must be registered with NICE before activation can proceed.

Real-name registration may be completed using:

• Resident registration number and Resident Registration Card issue date
• Direct submission of a Korean passport and resident registration number to NICE
• Assistance from KoreaUSIM after privately submitting the required identification documents

NICE real-name registration:

https://www.niceid.co.kr/name_fowd.nc

Customers who have recently become adults or have lived outside Korea for an extended period may not yet be registered in the NICE database.

If the identification information required for NICE registration has not yet been issued, activation under your own name may not be possible.

In this case, we recommend:

• Using a data-only eSIM temporarily, or
• Activating under a Korean-national parent's name and applying under your own name after your identification documents have been issued

Please contact us before ordering if you are unsure about your real-name registration status.

Yes.

Customers Who Hold Korean Nationality

If you hold Korean nationality, including dual nationality, activation must be completed using your Korean passport.

If your information is not registered in the NICE real-name verification database, real-name registration must be completed first.

Customers Who Hold Two or More Non-Korean Nationalities

Please provide the passport information from the passport you used, or will use, to enter Korea.

The passport used for activation should match your Korean immigration entry record.

Yes. A completed prepaid SIM application form is required for activation.

Please print the application form and complete all required customer fields by hand.

After completing the form by hand, you may submit the completed application form as either a clear scan or a clear smartphone photo.

This rule applies to the application form only. Passport and ID documents must follow the separate scanner requirements.

No.

The prepaid SIM application form must be filled out by hand.

Please do not:

• Type information directly into the PDF
• Use a keyboard or PDF text editor
• Insert a typed name
• Insert a copied, pasted, typed, or digital signature

Your name and both required signatures must be handwritten by the applicant.

Forms completed with typed customer information, typed names, or non-handwritten signatures are not accepted for activation. The application form must be completed again by hand before activation can proceed.

The documents required for activation are:

1. Completed handwritten prepaid SIM application form
2. Required identification document / scanned ID
3. Device information screenshots, only if you selected LG U+ eSIM conversion
4. Flight reservation or e-ticket, if requested for customers arriving outside the operating hours of the Incheon Airport scanning locations

Depending on your nationality and immigration status, additional information may be required.

Please handwrite all required customer fields on the application form.

The main required information includes:

• Preferred phone number – last 4 digits
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Contact number
• Passport / ARC / Residence Card number
• Address in Korea or accommodation address
• Required name and signature sections

Name Format

Korean nationals:
Write your name in Korean by hand.

Foreign nationals:
Write your full name in English by hand exactly as shown on your passport or identification document.

Signatures

Both required signature sections must be personally handwritten by the applicant.

Typed, copied, pasted, or digitally inserted names and signatures are not accepted.

For detailed instructions and language-specific examples, please visit the Prepaid SIM Application Form page.

Passports and identification documents must be scanned using a document scanner connected to a computer.

Do not submit:

• Smartphone photos
• Screenshots
• Images created with a mobile scanner app
• Cropped images
• Edited images
• Images with glare or shadows
• Blurred or unclear images

The required passport information, photo, personal information, and MRZ must be clearly visible.

If you are using an eligible ARC / Residence Card, submit clear scans of both the front and back.

This applies only to customers who selected LG U+ prepaid eSIM conversion.

LG U+ prepaid eSIM conversion is available for compatible iPhones only.

On your iPhone, open:

Settings → General → About

Please send screenshot(s) clearly showing:

• Device Name
• Storage Capacity
• EID
• IMEI 1
• IMEI 2

If all information does not fit on one screen, multiple screenshots are acceptable.

Korea Prepaid SIM pickup and the required activation ID scan are available at designated locations at Incheon International Airport.

Terminal 1 — K BOOKS

1st Floor, Public Area
Near Millennium Hall
Next to Lotteria

Operating hours:
07:30–21:00

Terminal 2 — Travel Mate & Books

3rd Floor, General Area
Opposite the F Check-in Counter

Operating hours:
06:30–22:00

Please select your arrival terminal when ordering and visit the designated location after arriving in Korea.

For detailed pickup information, please refer to the Incheon Airport Pickup Guide.

If you arrive outside the operating hours of the airport pickup / ID scan locations, it may not be possible to collect your prepaid SIM or complete the required activation ID scan immediately upon arrival.

Option 1: You can submit a proper passport or ID scan in advance

Before arriving in Korea, use a scanner connected to a computer to scan your passport or required ID and submit it to KoreaUSIM.

If the documents are verified successfully, KoreaUSIM may arrange delivery of your prepaid SIM to your accommodation or another address in Korea.

Customers arriving outside operating hours may also be asked to submit a flight reservation or e-ticket for confirmation.

Option 2: Visit the KoreaUSIM Office

Depending on your situation, you may be able to visit the KoreaUSIM Office in Seoul for prepaid SIM pickup, activation ID scanning, ARC / Residence Card scan or re-scan, or other activation-related ID processing when instructed by KoreaUSIM.

KoreaUSIM Office
661 Gyeongin-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul
Prugio 1-cha Officetel, Building 104, Room 704
Near Sindorim Station

Office hours: 12:00–17:00

The KoreaUSIM Office is not the default pickup location for airport pickup orders. If the designated Incheon Airport pickup / ID scan location is open, customers should normally complete pickup and the required ID scan at the airport.

Please contact KoreaUSIM in advance before visiting. Walk-in visits without prior notice may not be accommodated. Office visits are not available on Sundays or Korean public holidays.

Option 3: Advance scanning and an office visit are both not possible

In this case, an official SKT Roaming Center SIM or eSIM product may be more suitable because it uses a different pickup and identity verification process from KoreaUSIM prepaid SIM service.

If possible, please contact KoreaUSIM before ordering and tell us your arrival time and situation so we can advise you on available options.

Yes. Identity verification is mandatory for prepaid phone activation.

Activation cannot be completed until the required passport or identification information has been submitted and verified.

Submitting documents before arrival does not replace the separate activation ID scan required after arrival.

Yes. If you have a valid ARC / Residence Card, please use it for prepaid SIM activation.

The physical ARC / Residence Card must be scanned using the required ID scanner. A smartphone photo alone cannot be used for activation.

If your ARC / Residence Card has less than one month of validity remaining, it cannot be used for activation.

If you arrive within the applicable same-day activation window, complete the required ID scan and activation request on the same day.

If you arrive after the same-day activation window, activation will normally be processed the following day. Please visit the KoreaUSIM office on the activation day and scan your ARC / Residence Card using the ID scanner.

Korean Nationals

Use a valid Korean passport.

Additional resident registration information may be required if it is not shown on the passport or registered with NICE.

Foreign Nationals — ARC / Residence Card

If you have a valid ARC / Residence Card, please use the ARC / Residence Card for activation.

The physical card must be scanned using the required ID scanner. A smartphone photo does not replace this scan.

The card must have at least one month of validity remaining.

Foreign Nationals — Passport

If you do not have an eligible ARC / Residence Card, use a valid passport.

If your ARC / Residence Card has less than one month of validity remaining, it cannot be used for prepaid SIM activation.

In this case, you have two options:

1. Activate with your passport first. After renewing your ARC / Residence Card, contact KoreaUSIM to update the registered identification information.
2. Renew your ARC / Residence Card first, then activate the prepaid service using the renewed card.

The document submitted before arrival and the activation ID scan after arrival serve different purposes.

The advance document is used for:

• Identity verification
• Customer information registration
• Carrier documentation preparation
• Prepaid SIM pickup preparation

The activation ID scan after arrival is required so the necessary information can be transferred to the carrier system for activation processing.

For most customers, this scan is completed at the designated Incheon Airport prepaid SIM pickup / ID scan location.

The general KoreaUSIM prepaid phone process is:

1. Place your order.
2. KoreaUSIM sends the application form completion instructions.
3. Print the application form and complete all required customer information by hand.
4. Submit the handwritten application form and the required passport / ID documents.
5. KoreaUSIM reviews the documents and arranges your prepaid SIM pickup reservation.
6. If you selected LG U+ prepaid eSIM conversion, submit the required iPhone device information.
7. KoreaUSIM sends your complimentary 1-day Data eSIM QR code or Physical Data SIM pickup voucher, depending on the option selected.
8. After arriving in Korea, complete the required prepaid SIM pickup and / or activation ID scan according to your identification type and selected service.
9. KoreaUSIM submits the activation request to the carrier and prioritizes same-day activation when the applicable cutoff conditions are met.
10. If same-day activation cannot be completed because of carrier or system conditions, KoreaUSIM will contact you and advise that activation will be processed the following day.
11. After activation is completed, KoreaUSIM sends your Korean mobile number and usage instructions by email.
12. Insert the activated SIM, turn off Wi-Fi, and restart the phone at least four times until LTE or 4G appears.

Please wait until you receive confirmation that activation has been completed before troubleshooting the prepaid SIM.

KoreaUSIM prioritizes same-day activation whenever the carrier processing conditions allow it.

However, same-day activation is not guaranteed. Carrier system issues, carrier activation cutoffs, entry-confirmation delays, or other processing conditions may cause activation to be completed the following day.

Foreign Nationals Using a Passport — LG U+

For possible same-day activation, please complete the following before 6:00 PM:

• Arrive in Korea
• Complete immigration procedures
• Complete the required airport ID scan

LG U+ must also be able to confirm your entry into Korea through the carrier system.

If the required procedures are completed after the same-day activation window, activation is normally processed after approximately 11:00 AM the following day.

Foreign Nationals Using a Passport — SKT

For possible same-day activation, complete the required airport ID scan by 7:00 PM.

If the scan is completed after the same-day activation window, activation is normally processed after approximately 11:00 AM the following day.

Korean Nationals and Customers Using a Valid ARC / Residence Card

The LG U+ 6:00 PM and SKT 7:00 PM guidelines above are mainly for foreign-national customers activating with a passport.

For Korean nationals and customers activating with a valid ARC / Residence Card, if the activation request is submitted to KoreaUSIM before 7:00 PM, the case is normally handled as a same-day activation request.

If Same-Day Activation Cannot Be Completed

Even when you meet the same-day activation conditions, activation may occasionally be delayed because of:

• Carrier system issues
• Carrier activation-system cutoff
• Entry confirmation delays
• Carrier processing conditions
• Other system availability issues

If same-day activation cannot be completed, KoreaUSIM will contact you and let you know that activation will be processed the following day.

In these cases, activation is normally processed after approximately 11:00 AM the following day.

Yes. KoreaUSIM prepaid phone customers receive one complimentary 1-day data-only SIM or eSIM so they can stay connected while waiting for prepaid phone activation.

This complimentary product is separate from the prepaid phone service.

Data eSIM:
The QR code is sent separately to the registered email address.

Physical Data SIM:
A pickup voucher is sent separately to the registered email address for collection at the designated SKT Roaming Center.

The complimentary product does not include:

• Korean phone number
• Voice calls
• Standard SMS

Additional paid data eSIM products are also available.

1. Make Sure Activation Is Complete

Please wait until you receive confirmation from KoreaUSIM that activation has been completed.

2. Restart the Phone at Least Four Times

After receiving the activation confirmation:

1. Insert your KoreaUSIM prepaid SIM.
2. Turn off Wi-Fi.
3. Make sure Airplane Mode is off.
4. Completely power off the phone and turn it back on.
5. Repeat the power off / power on process at least four times.
6. With Wi-Fi off, check the top of the screen until LTE or 4G appears.

3. Check Whether the Phone Is Carrier-Locked

A carrier-locked phone may not recognize or connect to a Korean SIM.

Please contact your original mobile carrier and request a SIM / carrier unlock.

If the SIM is still not recognized, contact KoreaUSIM with:

• Order number
• Device model
• Screenshot of the SIM / mobile network settings
• Description or screenshot of the error message

You can continue using the same active SIM and Korean phone number by purchasing the appropriate recharge product through the Recharge / Top-Up section of the KoreaUSIM website.

Please make sure to:

• Purchase a recharge product for the same carrier as your current SIM
  • SKT SIM → SKT recharge product only
  • LG U+ SIM → LG U+ recharge product only
• Enter the Korean phone number currently in use
• Purchase the recharge at least 7 days before the current plan expires

SKT and LG U+ recharge products are not interchangeable.

Recharge processing may take approximately 4–5 days.

If your prepaid service is still active, you can normally continue using the same physical SIM and Korean phone number by extending or recharging the service before it expires.

If the service has already expired or the line has been deactivated, reuse of the same SIM and phone number is not guaranteed. A new SIM or new activation may be required.

Please contact KoreaUSIM before purchasing if your previous prepaid service has already expired.

If a foreign-national customer's prepaid service is registered using a passport, the service will be suspended when the customer leaves Korea.

The procedure after returning to Korea depends on the carrier.

LG U+

A line suspended because of departure from Korea cannot simply be restored.

After returning to Korea, a new activation using a new SIM is required.

The new SIM can be arranged by:

• Delivery to an address in Korea
• Pickup reservation at Incheon Airport

LG U+ reactivation cost: 14,000 KRW (new SIM cost + related delivery cost).

SKT

SKT customers can request restoration of the existing service after returning to Korea.

Please send KoreaUSIM:

• A photo of your passport
• A photo of the Korean entry confirmation QR document received when re-entering Korea

SKT service restoration fee: 5,000 KRW.

Foreign-national customers whose prepaid service is registered using an ARC / eligible Residence Card are not subject to the same departure-related suspension.

If you initially activated using a passport and later receive an ARC / Residence Card, contact KoreaUSIM to update your registration.

After the registration change is completed, your Korean mobile number can also be used for mobile phone identity verification services in Korea.

Yes. If you cannot pick up your prepaid SIM at Incheon Airport, KoreaUSIM may arrange delivery to an address in Korea.

Please send:

• Your complete Korean delivery address
• Your Korean contact number, if available

If you do not yet have a Korean phone number, the contact number may be omitted.

Shipping Fees

No additional shipping fee is charged for:

• Domestic delivery of your prepaid SIM after purchase
• Replacement delivery when the original SIM is defective

If a new SIM is required for LG U+ reactivation after departure-related suspension, the applicable 14,000 KRW reactivation cost applies.