BRIDGE SUPPORT GUIDE
Housing: Two Paths
Finding your own place, or moving into school-provided housing
| Whichever path you take, if you find your own place, or your move-in address differs from what's on your ARC, you must personally file a change of residence with immigration. See the deadline and how to file below |
| General guidance for reference only. Contract terms differ by school, region and person, so treat this as a starting point, not your specific answer |
| PART A. FINDING YOUR OWN PLACE |
School-provided housing is a benefit, not an obligation. If you choose to arrange your own place instead, the cost and the timeline become yours to manage. Once you've committed to this path, coming back later and saying you can't find one gets genuinely difficult. Make this call when you're confident about being here, have real savings to fall back on, and have a friend who can actually help you, not before
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01. Visa Reporting You Must Handle
| Not a Separate Step | Foreigners can't file a Korean 전입신고 under the Resident Registration Act, and it isn't required separately. The change of residence report you file under the Immigration Act legally stands in for it. Korean courts have confirmed this gives you the same legal protection a Korean tenant gets from 전입신고, including protection for your deposit under the Housing Lease Protection Act |
| Check It Yourself | If you're finding your own place, whether it's eligible for this registration is on you to check, don't assume the agent or landlord will flag it. Ask directly and confirm it before you sign anything |
| Filing Deadline | File within 14 days of moving in as a safety margin, the legal limit is 15. If a weekend or public holiday falls in that window, file before it, not after. This is done via HiKorea online, at your local immigration office, or your local community center (읍면동 주민센터). Missing it can bring a fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW and can count against you at your next visa extension |
| Documents | A copy of your tenancy agreement in your own name. If the property is under someone else's name, a copy of the landlord's ID and a housing consent letter. For any school-arranged housing, an employer confirmation letter |
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02. What It Costs
| Deposit | Typically around 5 to 20 million KRW or more, depending on location and condition. Whether your employer contributes anything is a matter of school policy |
| Rent and Fees | Electricity, gas, water and internet are your responsibility. Some schools also cover a portion of rent or the building maintenance fee, ask what applies to you |
| Excess Rent | If your school offers a rent allowance, anything above that cap is on you. For tax reasons, some schools pay their contribution straight to the landlord rather than to you |
| Ancillary Fees | Agent's commission, cleaning or repair costs, and initial contract fees |
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03. If Your Employer Helps With the Deposit
| Whose Name | If the school lends or contributes to your deposit, the lease is usually signed in the school's name instead of yours. Move out cleanly and the deposit is returned to you as agreed |
| Get It In Writing | Confirm the contribution cap, duration and settlement method in writing before you rely on it |
| Found a Place Yourself | If you want to suggest a listing to your school, don't just forward a link and ask them to arrange it. Contact the listing agent yourself first to confirm the unit is genuinely available and the price is accurate, then pass the agent's card to your school |
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04. Verifying the Agent
| Confirm License | Check the business name and registration number on their card, and visit the office in person to confirm they're a licensed agent. Property fraud happens to Korean tenants too, not only foreigners |
| Unusual Terms | Anything unusual, like sub-letting or key-money arrangements, should be confirmed in writing before you sign |
| PART B. MOVING INTO SCHOOL-PROVIDED HOUSING |
Lower upfront cost and less risk for you, in exchange for following house rules and your school's timeline
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05. What the Photos Actually Show
| A Sample, Not a Promise | Unless your school specifically confirms it's this exact unit, in this exact building, the photos shown during negotiation are a sample. They show the general style and layout you can expect, not a guarantee of that specific apartment |
| Why Photos Differ | Listing photos are often lightly edited, or taken when a unit was brand new and spotless, since that's what sells. Most actual units already have a tenant living in them, so yours may look more lived-in. Door placement and other layout details can also differ from one building to the next, even in similar-looking units |
| What to Judge From Them | Use the photos to get a feel for the general size, style and condition you're likely to get, not to expect an identical match down to the last detail |
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06. What's Furnished
| Usually Included | Fridge, washing machine, stovetop and air conditioning are standard in most provided housing |
| Often Not Included | A bed and Wi-Fi are frequently not standard. Beds aren't always carried over from the previous tenant for hygiene reasons, and if the building has no existing line, you'll need to set up your own internet. Your employer can usually help with that. Confirm both at your interview |
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07. Utilities Are Always Yours
| Your Responsibility | A provided flat is a benefit, it covers the space itself, not what you use inside it. Gas, electricity, water and the building maintenance fee are yours to pay whether the flat is self-arranged or school-provided. Don't let these pile up |
| If You're Done With the Job | It's simple, you used it, so it's your bill. If you've had enough of the school and want out, don't leave an unpaid bill as something they can hold against you. Settle what you've used, give proper notice, and leave clean. Walking away without paying just to avoid the awkwardness isn't the move, a quiet, paid-up exit always beats one that ends in a mess |
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08. Timing of the Address and Door Code
| Address | Shared once the lease is signed and the flat is ready, not the moment a decision is made. If the contract was arranged at short notice, allow extra time and avoid asking for it weeks in advance |
| Door Code | Usually shared on move-in day or the evening before, partly out of respect for the outgoing tenant's security while they're still living there |
| Room Changes | Rare, but a unit can change even on move-in day if a better option becomes available. Your employer is trying to get you the best fit they can |
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09. Furniture and Cleanliness
| Large Furniture | If you want to bring your own bed or a large piece like a sofa, or want a bed provided, ask your school beforehand. Studio space and later disposal can both be an issue if it's arranged last minute |
| Cleaning | A provided flat may or may not be cleaned before you move in. Check with your employer in advance rather than assuming |
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10. Ending a Housing Arrangement Early
| Give Notice | Whether you found the place yourself or moved into school housing, give at least 3 months' notice if you need to end it early. A tenancy is a real commitment, finding a replacement tenant and handling the paperwork takes time on the other side too |
| Without Notice | Costs such as vacant-period rent, agent fees or a penalty can apply, depending on the terms of the contract. Keep your employer informed of your housing plans from at least two months before arrival, in either direction |
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11. If You Have a Pet
| Extra Costs | A pet usually means an added deposit, and a specialist cleaning fee can apply at move-out even in school-provided housing. This is standard practice and applies to Korean tenants too, the next tenant shouldn't have to deal with odors or allergens |
| Availability | Pet-friendly studios are genuinely scarce in Korean cities. If you're relocating from overseas, leaving your pet at home is worth strongly considering |
| Most of this comes down to timing and communication. Tell your school your plans early, whichever path you choose, and confirm anything important in writing. Reach out to your BRIDGE recruiter if anything here doesn't match your situation |
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