How to use the Wise Card in South Korea

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South Korea is a popular destination for Singaporeans, whether you're travelling for food, shopping, or K-culture experiences.

If you're wondering whether the Wise card works in South Korea, the answer is yes. You can use it for card payments, ATM withdrawals, and supported QR payments in Korean won (KRW).

Still planning your itinerary? Start with Wise’s guide on travelling to Korea from Singapore, or find out the best time to visit Korea.

Can I use Wise in South Korea?

Yes. If you have a Wise account issued in Singapore, you can use it when travelling to South Korea to:

• Spend using your Wise card
• Convert SGD to South Korean won (KRW)
• Send money internationally
• Pay supported QR codes in South Korea through the Wise app

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate, which is the one you see on Google, with fees shown upfront. This means no hidden markups when you spend or transfer money overseas. With Wise, you can hold and convert 40+ currencies, including SGD and KRW, in one account.

To get started, simply add money to your Wise account and convert to KRW, or let Wise automatically convert at the point of payment.

Can I use the Wise card in South Korea?

Yes. Both physical and digital Wise cards are widely accepted anywhere Visa or Mastercard payments are supported.

In practice, your card will work at:

• Restaurants, cafes, and retail stores
• Shopping malls and department stores
• Hotels and tourist attractions

South Korea is highly card-friendly, and most places accept contactless or chip and PIN payments. However, it's still useful to carry a small amount of cash for street markets, smaller vendors, or transport top-ups.¹

The Wise card can be used in 40+ currencies and in 150+ countries, making it a convenient option if you're travelling beyond South Korea.

How to use Wise in South Korea

You can use your Wise card in South Korea in a few different ways:

• Pay in-store where cards are accepted
• Pay supported QR codes in the Wise app
• Withdraw cash from ATMs if needed

How to pay with QR codes in South Korea

You can also use Wise for QR payments in South Korea where supported.

Supported QR types include Alipay+ QR, which covers KakaoPay QR at participating merchants. Depending on the checkout flow, you may either scan the merchant's QR code in the Wise app, or show your payment QR code for the merchant to scan.

To scan a supported QR code with Wise:

1. Tap Scan on the home screen, or go to the Card tab and swipe left on your card
2. Scan the QR code or import one from your photo gallery
3. Follow the steps to confirm your payment

To show your QR code for the merchant to scan:

1. Tap Scan on the home screen
2. Tap the QR code icon in the top right corner
3. Select the country you’re paying in
4. Show your payment QR code to the merchant
5. Follow the steps in the app to confirm your payment, if prompted

Not every merchant QR code may work with Wise, so keep your card or cash as backup.

Where to withdraw cash in South Korea

ATMs are widely available across South Korea, especially in convenience stores, subway stations, and banks. Look for ATMs that support international cards, often labelled "Global ATM" or displaying Visa or Mastercard logos.

Do note that ATM operators may charge their own fees per withdrawal, and limits can vary depending on the machine.

With a Singapore-issued Wise card, you can withdraw up to 100 SGD each month for free. After that, low fees apply.

💡 Tip: Always choose to withdraw in KRW and decline any currency conversion offered by the ATM to avoid extra charges.

Using your Wise digital card in South Korea

Wise also lets you create digital cards, which can be useful for travel.

With a digital card, you can:

• Pay online or in apps
• Add it to mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay
• Freeze or replace your card instantly if needed

You can create up to 3 digital cards, each with its own details for added security. If anything looks suspicious, you can replace a digital card instantly without waiting for a new physical card.

How to order a Wise card in Singapore

Order your Wise card before you travel so you can spend easily as soon as you arrive. You can start using a Wise digital card immediately after ordering, while your physical card is on its way.

You can order a Wise card in Singapore by following these steps:²

1. Download the Wise app or sign up on the Wise website
2. Create an account using your email, or sign in with Google, Apple, or Facebook
3. Verify your identity using Singpass (Myinfo), or upload your documents manually — if you're using Singpass, your details can be confirmed in about a minute
4. Once verified, add money to your account in SGD
5. Go to the Cards tab and choose a digital or physical card
6. Pay the one-time fee of 8.50 SGD for a physical card (digital cards are free)

Your physical card will be delivered to your registered address, usually within 3 working days. Once you've ordered your physical card, you can create and start using digital cards immediately while you wait for it to arrive.

Before you can spend, you'll need to add money to your Wise balance in the app.

🚀 Order your Wise Card now

Before you travel

Before heading to South Korea, it's a good idea to prepare your balance. You can:

• Add SGD to your Wise account
• Convert SGD to KRW in advance
• Spend in SGD and let Wise automatically convert at the point of payment

If you hold a KRW balance, payments will be deducted from it first. Otherwise, Wise will automatically convert from your other balances, with low, transparent conversion fees from 0.26%.

Public transport in South Korea commonly uses T-money, a rechargeable card for buses, subways, and some taxis. It’s worth getting one on arrival if you plan to use public transport often.

For taxis and ride-hailing, card payments are generally accepted, but having some cash on hand for smaller situations is always useful.

Finally, set your card PIN before you go, in case contactless payment is not accepted somewhere.

For longer trips, Wise also has guides on how to go to Jeju from Seoul and how to get from Incheon Airport to Busan.

Summary: using Wise in South Korea

Wise is a convenient option for travel spending in South Korea, allowing you to spend easily with automatic currency conversion and transparent fees.

You can pay in several ways:

• Card payments at supported merchants
• Supported QR payments through the Wise app via Alipay+ QR, which covers KakaoPay QR at participating merchants
• ATM withdrawals for cash
• Mobile wallet payments where available

With Wise, you can hold and convert 40+ currencies, spend in 150+ countries, and withdraw up to 100 SGD each month for free, before low fees apply.

💳 Get your Wise card

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Sources used:

1. Wise Help Centre – Where will my Wise card work?
2. Getting verified in Singapore | Wise Help Centre