This article is directed towards the readers who are planning to stay long-term (more than 90 days) getting a VOICE sim card. Short-term residents most likely aren’t allowed to get VOICE sim card for talk and text. Please see the “Short-term resident Communication Suggestions.” article.
First Advice
First Advice: If possible make sure your phone is internationally acceptable and that is not locked with a region or carrier.
Story time
Before I left to study abroad, I made a called to the service and specifically asked them if I can do it and how. I thought I was cutting a corner, but it backfired. I paid extra international option on Metro for it not to work once I arrived in Korea. When I called them to help me with the phone issue, they said they couldn’t do it because I had to message them a code that won’t come through because I don’t have service international. Let’s just say I was frustrated at the end of the interaction. Luckily, I shared a plan with someone who was able to help through this and to get it removed before having to pay more. I still had to pay the regular cost per month while abroad so I don’t, but I would have added about $100 extra to keep the international option. Then leads to the next problem carrier locking.
As I bought my phone with metro, I couldn’t unlock the carrier while there as they still want to do text verification and needed to go in store. This lead to me buying a phone in Korea.
As someone who had to buy a phone abroad while in Korea, the usage after leaving the country can be very limited. Does my phone still work after two years? Yes. Does my phone get updates still? Yes. Does the phone option work if I use google voice? Yes? Can I make calls on this phone through a service provider? NO. It is not only locked to Korea for calling and text messaging, I also can’t delete certain apps from the phone after making it back to the states. My phone is carrier locked SKT and since I used a sim card to do so, I can’t try to change it. However, I don’t complain because I get a cute memorabilia for my time there. I look at it go through the photos like a scrap book, so it’s not bad.
TMTLSS: If you are just trying to save money, go with a phone that you can use anywhere, like Samsung, Iphone, LG, and ONE plus without a carrier, region, and country lock on it.
Second Advice
Second Advice: Make sure your phone has a sim card. Depending on the destination, there might not be option for ESIM. Their reason for ESIM unavailability are as follows: the company only allow sims for long-term residents, requires in person retrieval, ESIM is still a developing product there, or your country’s phone version doesn’t match the requirements. I recommend having a phone with an AVAILABLE SIM slot. That means it is not used being used by your current phone plan. EVERY country will have a physical sim card option, but not every country will have an ESIM. Better safe than sorry.
Third Advice
Third advice: Search around. If you have the money to do so, go with the easiest and most popular option. That option typically runs you the most money out of the competitors. I would say search for at least 2 other competitors before making a decision.
Remember: YOU ARE A FOREIGNER. It doesn’t matter where. Most locals will assume you have money to travel and spend as you are going there. You have to have a certain amount of income or a sponsor to even get a visa in the first place because they don’t want homeless foreigners, regardless the country. The one heavily advertised would run your pockets in short and long run. Here is a list of things to look out for when phone shopping
- A contract – can you cancel at any time, or are you required to have the plan for a certain duration? Signing it means you are responsible whether it was properly translated or not.
- Cancellation fees – If you break the contract how much does it cost? It can sometimes be a month or two worth of bills and fees for breaking.
- Service – is the internet or phone service available where YOU are going? Ex. The service might be good in Seoul but is it good Ulsan. Think of Metro, Verizon, Sprint, Att, And T mobile. They are all in America but with different service connections.
- Language Availability – If you are fluent in language of the destined country, please find a company that uses your native tongue. I have had people hang up on me because they couldn’t understand me.
- Reviews from other foreigners – get some opinions to figure the good and the bad of the company. Some foreigner will tell that it say Language support, but they really don’t have translators or direct you to the app that has a translation machine. Some Language support are very limited. Get some of that information first before deciding. You will still have to pay, even if you don’t get help from the company.
- Creation Fee – This is fee to create your number, contract, and account. It can cost you around half of the price of the phone bill to do so. One time fee usually.
- Administration fee – This is the cost of maintaining and using the phone. This can include or be the creation fee. It can also be separate. The cost can be a one time fee with a small monthly fee or a one time fee only.
- Original price – This is the normal price of 1 month worth of service.
- Discount rate – You need to ask what is the discount rate and how long the discount rate will last.
- First Payment Procedure – This is how the company wants you to pay for the first time fees and first month(s). They will ask for you to pay the creation fee, admin fee, and 1-2 months of service up front. Any service charges and taxes will also be included.
- Paperwork: The legal documentation needed to complete the contract. IDs, signatures, credit cards, etc.
- Pick-up procedure: Confirm how to get the SIM for your phone.
Final Thoughts
That covers the major things in find your communication needs. You don’t HAVE to go out of your way to buy a phone, if you think of a way to prepare before your travel. When you go phone shopping just keep it in the back of you mind
Around and Round We Go 
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