Seoul: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Seoul is the capital of South Korea and the centre of a metro area home to about half the country's population. It hosts the headquarters of Korea's largest companies, electronics, cars, games, film and music, strong universities and one of the world's best metro systems. The city is safe, clean and highly digital: almost everything is paid by card or phone.

Seoul suits technology and manufacturing professionals, researchers, students, entrepreneurs with business in Asia and remote workers ready for high housing costs. It is harder without Korean: English is enough for daily life, but working in a local company and dealing with authorities requires Korean.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• Itaewon and Haebangchon: the most international area at the foot of Namsan, with many foreigners and English-speaking services.
• Gangnam and Seocho: the business south, offices, expensive rents, good schools.
• Mapo: Hongdae, Yeonnam and Hapjeong: young areas near universities, cafés and coworking spaces.
• Yeouido: the financial island on the Han River, convenient for bank staff.

Flats are let on a scheme unusual for newcomers: a large deposit and a smaller monthly rent. The bigger the deposit, the lower the rent.

Cost of living

Exchange rate: about 1,340 won per dollar on 6 October 2026. The deposit is returned on moving out, but you need it upfront.

Practicalities: transport, climate, money

Transport. Metro and buses are paid with a transport card, and a basic metro ride has cost 1,550 won for the first 10 km since 28 June 2025. Climate. Winters are cold and dry, summers hot and humid, with the rainy season in late June and July. Taxes. Income tax runs from 6% to 45% plus a local tax of 10% of the amount, up to 49.5%. Foreigners who start working in Korea by 31 December 2026 can choose a flat 20.9% rate including local tax. More on the Taxes in South Korea page.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens need no visa for up to 60 consecutive days and no more than 90 days in 180, but must obtain an electronic travel authorisation before the trip;
• work requires a work visa under a contract with a Korean employer;
• business requires an investor visa with an investment from 100 million won (about $74,500) in a Korean company;
• for remote work for a foreign employer, since 2024 there is a work-and-holiday style visa for 1 year, extendable by another year, with a high income threshold;
• study at universities and language schools gives a student visa.

We will choose a visa for your income and work and prepare the documents.

Documents, healthcare and phones

• living in Korea for more than 90 days requires an alien registration card: without it you cannot open a bank account or register a phone in your name;
• after 6 months in the country a foreigner is automatically enrolled in national health insurance, with contributions based on income;
• private clinics and hospitals are of a high standard, and many have departments for foreigners with English.

Getting there and schools

The main airport is Incheon, about 45 minutes from central Seoul by express train. State schools teach in Korean, and international schools with English programmes are expensive and require early enrolment. Many schools have preparatory classes for children just starting Korean.

Renting: how deposits work

Korea has two kinds of lease. With monthly rent you pay a deposit, usually about 10 million won for a small flat, plus a monthly payment. With a long-term lease without monthly payments you put down a large deposit, often more than half the flat's value, returned on moving out. In the second case the main risk is an indebted owner unable to return the deposit, so before signing you check the property register extract and bank liens.

Work and business

Corporate tax from 2026 runs from 10% to 25% plus local tax, and VAT is 10%. For an investor visa you invest from 100 million won in a Korean company, with money transferred from abroad and its source documented. Hiring on a work visa usually requires a relevant degree or experience, and the employer confirms the salary in the contract.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are safety, transport, healthcare, technology and a strong job market in its sectors. The minuses are expensive housing with a large deposit, a language barrier at work and with authorities, and high taxes on large salaries. Seoul works for people with a contract or business in Asia and a willingness to learn Korean.