Privileges of Retirees in Korea

updated July 23, 2009

Privileges get you in
Activity Resident Retiree Visiting Retiree
Updated 3-20-09 Immigration Visa Passport Required. For non-SOFA status (not employed by US government or on contract to US military), permanent visa (resident, work, teaching, religious, etc.) requires Korean sponsor. Some retirees have Tourist visa (category C-3) allowing maximum of 90 days per stay, but it is illegal to work with this visa (or with the F-1 Resident Alien visa). A passport photo is required and a fee must be paid to obtain the C-3 visa. Request a 5-year multiple-entry visa. A C-3 visa or Transit visa does not qualify a retiree for a permanent ration card. Passport Required. For visits of 90 days or less a visa is not required for U.S. citizens to enter Korea. A Transit visa is issued at the port of entry. Korean Immigration rules state that to qualify for a Transit visa a return ticket or ticket to a follow-on destination outside of Korea must be presented. A Korean Immigration official at the Osan Passenger terminal stated that passengers entering Korea through any port of entry via commercial or military carrier may enter visa-free with no document required other than a valid U.S. passport.
Updated 2-15-09 Ration Control (required for Commissary and Exchange shopping and purchase of beer and liquor) Passport must be presented to show proof of residence to obtain a permanent Ration Control Plate (RCP) for retiree and dependents. Proof includes any permanent visa (other than C-3 Tourist visa) of 91 days or more. For Korean dependents and survivors without a passport, the Korean citizen's ID card is sufficient proof of residence. Official requirements for all RCP categories can be viewed here. RCP is issued based on expiration date of proof or two years, whichever is less. Otherwise, temporary ration card is issued monthly for up to three months. Thereafter, a permanent card must be obtained to continue access to duty-free goods. Each family is allowed up to eight cases of beer per month. For family size of one, three bottles of liquor are allowed per month. For family size of two and larger, five bottles of liquor are allowed per month. Commissary monthly dollars limits are as follows: (family size - dollar limit) 1 - $550; 2 - $850; 3 - $1,100; 4 - $1,300; 5 - $1,500; 6 or more - $1,800.

Ration Control Note: Unremarried widows/widowers of deceased U.S. military members (including deceased retirees) living in Korea are authorized ration control privileges based on family size of one, irrespective of having minor legal dependents of the deceased member.
Update 5/28/06:Ration card holders can easily check the current amount of Commissary dollars spent at any time during the month at https://pimsk.korea.army.mil.		 Visitor’s ration card issued based on retired ID card and passport for retiree and any accompanying dependents. Monthly alcohol limit is based on family size and length of stay. For stays of up to 15 days: family size of 1 is 2 bottles; family size of 2 or more 4 bottles of liquor and four cases of beer are allowed. For 16-30 days, family size 1 is 3 bottles; family size 2 or more is 5 bottles. Eight cases of beer is allowed per family. Commissary dollar limits for stays up to 15 days are: (family size - dollar limit) 1 - $175; 2 - $275; 3 - $350; 4 - $425; 5 - $500; 6 or more - $575. For 15 to 30 days stay, dollar limits are: 1 - $350; 2 - $550; 3 - $700; 4 - $850; 5 - $1,000; 6 or more - $1,150. The temporary ration card may be renewed twice (total of three months). Thereafter, the visitor must depart Korea and will be eligible for a new temporary card upon re-entering Korea.

Temporary Ration Card During Non-Duty Hours:
- at Yongsan, call 34th Support Group Staff Duty NCO at DSN 738-7404.
- at Osan, and for Emergency only, call the Law Enforcement Desk at 784-5515.

Ration Control Note: Unaccompanied dependents of active duty (except if visiting on Environmental Morale Leave [EML] orders) and unaccompanied dependents of retired military personnel are not authorized ration control privileges.
Updated 2-15-09 Transportation For non-SOFA status, any permanent visa except C-3 that is good for more than 90 days allows Korean driver license and vehicle registration. Korean driver license issued based on valid U.S. driver license from any state. AAFES gas station authorized for RCP holders if ID card, RCP, Korean driver license and vehicle registration all have same name. Driving a SOFA-registered vehicle requires a SOFA driver license; driving a Korean-registered vehicle requires a Korean or International Driving Permit. An International Driving Permit is valid for one year from the date of intial entry into Korea. Thereafter, a Korean driver license must be obtained to continue driving. (Directions to the Area I and II, and Area III driver licensing offices are available here.) A valid U.S. state driver license must be surrendered to receive the Korean driver license. If later you are traveling outside of Korea, the surrendered license can be retrieved by presenting a valid ticket to travel out of Korea at the agency holding the license. International Driving Permit recognized. Rental cars are available but often expensive, and not recommended because of dangerous driving habits of many Koreans. AAFES gas station authorized for rental car if ID card, temporary RCP and rental agreement all have the same name. Public transportation systems are excellent, abundantly available and reasonably priced.
Updated 2-15-09 Lodging Home ownership by foreigners is authorized, but it is complicated. Cost of permanent rental housing varies by location, with Seoul being most expensive. Seoul housing may require a large deposit in addition to high monthly rent. Other areas (such as Taegu) may require advance rent payment of one year or more. On-base billeting is limited. Dragon Hill Lodge (Army recreation hotel) gives priority to military in PCS. With high turnover, room availability is limited for retirees. More information is available on visitors to Seoul. In other areas around Korea, local hotel costs vary by location, with large cities being the most expensive. Yogwans and hostels are cheap, but with limited comforts and some may require using common area bath facilities. The 350-room Turumi Lodge at Osan AB opened in March 2003. Room Rate - $39.50.
Postal

Valid XHTML 1.1		 Non-SOFA status limited to 16 ounces per item. Retirees and unremarried widows are authorized APO/FPO mailbox based on local availability. May use APO/FPO, but limited to 16 ounces per item. Mailing on the economy is expensive, but getting better on the security of items mailed.